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Interior Design
A harmonious balance of proportions and
surfaces, fine materials and top-quality fit and finish: The interior of the A5
models reflects the Audi brand culture. It is now more elegant than ever - with
new steering wheels, including an option for a flattened ring, new steering
column stalks and with narrow chrome clasps framing the control elements.
A button is used to directly adjust the optional seat heating and seat
ventilation in three stages. Also updated were the ignition key, the selector
lever for the automatic transmission, the button for the optional Audi drive
select system and the controls of the high-efficiency air conditioning and
multifunction steering wheel. All displays are now illuminated in white.
New paint covers the bezels on the instrument cluster and the center console,
and there is also a new selection of upholstery and inlays. The latter are
available in Aluminium Trigon or in walnut or natural fine grain ash. Almost all
of the interior colors are new. Fine Nappa leather replaces Valcona in the
Sportback, and the armrests can also be covered in leather, if desired.
Another
attractive option is the S line sport package. It drapes the interior in black
and accentuates it with elegant applications. A sport suspension lowers the
vehicle body by 10 millimeters (0.39 in), and 18-inch wheels round out the
package. Buyers looking for that special something will find many more
customization options in the Audi exclusive range, including the stylish Audi
exclusive line with two-tone seat coverings.
Engines
The A5
family sets new standards for sportiness and efficiency. All engines feature
forced induction and direct injection for tremendous pulling power. Even the
entry-level engine produces 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque. The start-stop system
and the recuperation system are standard with all engines. The lineup comprises
three gasoline engines and four TDI units. CO2 emissions have been reduced by as
much as 22 percent.
The
diesel engines are impressively efficient, and the four-cylinder units
feature modifications in numerous areas. Equipped with the 177 hp (130 kW) 2.0
TDI and a manual transmission, the A5 Coupe consumes on average just 4.7 liters
of fuel per 100 km (50.05 US mpg) - a CO2 equivalent of 122 g per km (196.34
g/mile) and a milestone in the coupe segment.
Three V6 diesel units round
out the lineup on the top end. The 3.0 TDI with 204 hp (150 kW) is the most
fuel-efficient six-cylinder unit in its class worldwide. In the A5 Coupe with
multitronic, it consumes on average 4.9 liters (48 US mpg) of fuel and emits
just 129 grams CO2 per km (207.61 g/mile). The second variant of the 3.0 TDI
produces 245 hp (180 kW). Arriving somewhat later is a particularly
low-emissions clean diesel model that will make the A5 the first coupe on the
market to meet the Euro 6 diesel standard.
Drivetrain
Audi
offers the ideal drivetrain for each engine. A manual six-speed transmission and
the continuously variable multitronic are available for models with front-wheel
drive. The quattro models come with a manual transmission or the lightning-fast,
seven-speed S tronic. All of the transmissions shine with their convenience and
precision, high efficiency and wide gear spread. The long ratios in the upper
gears reduce fuel consumption.
Members of the A5 family equipped with
quattro permanent all-wheel drive and the S tronic transmission also feature the
crown-gear center differential with torque vectoring. During normal driving, the
mechanical component sends the engine's power primarily to the rear wheels. If
necessary, it redistributes the power lightning-fast and smoothly. Up to 70
percent can flow to the front axle, 85 percent to the rear axle. Torque
vectoring uses targeted, minor braking interventions to make the handling even
more precise.
Chassis
The A5
models set standards for sporty dynamics, luxurious ride comfort and excellent
driving safety. Most of the components of the five-link front suspension and the
trapezoidal-link rear suspension are made of aluminum. The rear suspension
bearings and the damper tuning have been updated for more precise handling and
even greater comfort.
The ESP stabilization program with electronic
limited slip differential is standard in all front-wheel drive versions of the
A5. ESP uses minimal braking interventions at the inside front wheel for even
more agility during dynamic driving. The large brakes - with ventilated front
and rear discs in many variants - offer excellent stopping power and are very
easy to modulate.
17-inch wheels with 225/50 tires are standard. Options
include wheels up to 20 inches and 265/30 tires as well as four new wheel
designs.
Among the high-end features in the model series is Audi drive
select. In the basic configuration, it adjusts the power steering boost, the
accelerator characteristic, the shift points of the automatic transmission and
the automatic air conditioning. Using a button in the cockpit, the driver can
determine whether these components should work in "comfort," "auto," "dynamic"
or "efficiency" mode. The latter helps to drive the A5 particularly efficiently.
If the car is equipped with a navigation system, there is also an "individual"
mode that the driver can largely configure him or herself.
Audi drive
select can be combined with additional modules, if desired. These are the sport
suspension with damper control, the sport differential and dynamic steering,
which steplessly varies the steering ratio by nearly 100 percent as a function
of speed.
Assistance Systems
The assistance systems in the Audi A5 model series use a variety of technologies
to make driving even more controlled. Some of them have been improved with new
functions. Among the standard features is the new driver information system with
recommendations to take a break. It uses steering motions and additional
parameters to detect when the driver is getting tired and issues an appropriate
warning.
Audi side assist supports the driver when changing lanes by
using radar to monitor the space behind the car. Audi active lane assist - a new
feature in the A5 - helps the driver to maintain the lane. A camera detects the
lane markings and the system makes slight corrections to the electromechanical
steering, if necessary. The adaptive cruise control uses radar technology to
maintain a constant interval between the A5 and the vehicle ahead. At speeds
below 30 km/h (18.64 mph), it initiates maximum braking in the event of an
impending collision.
Infotainment Systems
The infotainment
systems in the A5 have been significantly upgraded. Audi equips all models in
the A5 lineup with a CD radio and eight speakers.
The optional
top-of-the-line unit is MMI navigation plus with a large hard drive, seven-inch
color monitor, 3D graphics and DVD player. Its controls have been improved. The
number of hard buttons has been reduced from eight to four and the volume
control now features a joystick cap to make it easier to choose songs. Voice
control and digital radio reception also received some fine-tuning.
An
additional option is the Bluetooth online car phone. Audi connect is the
catchword for the attractive services this phone brings to the A5, which include
Google POI search, navigation with Google Earth images and a WLAN hotspot. The
hotspot enables passengers to surf the Internet and send and receive e-mail with
their mobile devices. Audi traffic information online is an additional service
that does a much better job than the familiar TMC standard of providing the
driver with extremely precise and current information about the traffic load
along the selected route. All the driver needs to use these functions is a
data-capable SIM card.
Audi A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TDI quattro: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications