Yesterday Audi released two teaser images of the upcoming Audi A5 Sportback, which will debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Now comes word that Audi has no plans to bring the vehicle to the US.
The A5 Sportback will be available with a choice of two gasoline or three diesel engines. The two gas engines will be the 211-hp 2.0L TFSI and the 265-hp 3.2L V6. The diesel options are a 170-hp 2.0L, 190-hp 2.7L and a 240-hp 3.0L V6.
The reason that Audi is claiming that the A5 Sportback is not slated to come to the US is because the larger Audi Sportback Concept, dubbed the A7 is expected to come here. The A7 will mainly compete with the Mercedes CLS.
PRESS RELEASE:
The new Audi A5 Sportback
As elegant as a coupe, as practical as an Avant
The brand with the four rings leads the pack with a new vehicle concept: The Audi A5 Sportback combines the best of different automotive worlds. It is as emotional and elegant as a coupe, as comfortable as a sedan, and as practical as an Avant. The Sportback joins the Coupé and Cabriolet as the third member of the A5 model family - and at the same time creates a new segment. With an exciting design, great everyday utility and highly efficient and powerful TFSI, FSI and TDI engines, the A5 Sportback will arrive at Audi dealerships in September. The car will be open for ordering with an entry price of EUR 36,050 for the 2.0 TDI version. A version with an even more attractive price will follow in the middle of 2010. This will make the A5 Sportback the entry model for the A5 model range.
The A5 Sportback represents a milestone in car design. The five-door coupe excels in its elegant, elongated, sporty profile. The large hatchback fits perfectly into the tail-end styling. The spoiler lip and the diffuser insert provide contrast and emphasize the athletic tautness of the elongated contour. The coupe-like silhouette is the result of a roof section with a long, tapering roofline that is moderately lower by 36 mm (1.42 inches) than the A4 Sedan and of the short overhangs at the front and rear as well as the long wheelbase of 2,810 mm (9.22 feet) and the four frameless doors with their slim, dynamic window styling. The unusual hatchback design is distinctively emblematic of the vehicle's excellent functionality. With the Sportback, the designers of the Avant are setting trends in tail-end design while combining sportiness, comfort and utility in a completely new way.
The unique functional concept in conjunction with the emotion-packed design creates a cutting-edge mix of coupe and Avant. The baggage volume of 480 liters (17.0 cubic feet) nearly equals that of the A4 Avant, and it has an impressive 980 liters (34.6 cubic feet) with the rear seatbacks folded down.
The A5 Sportback provides a full measure of comfort on all four seats and convenient entry and exit through every door. Despite the fact that its exterior height is less than that of the A4 Sedan and that its roof tapers at the rear, the Sportback has comparable headroom and legroom.
The powerplant of the A5 Sportback is another advance along the path of innovative technologies Audi has been charting: All engines are of the direct injection type - the diesel versions are sophisticated common rail TDI units while the gasoline engines are based on the FSI concept. All engines meet the EU5 exhaust emission standard. The diesel versions are equipped with particulate filters.
Initially the A5 Sportback will be available with a choice of two gasoline and three diesel engines. The two gasoline versions, the 2.0 TFSI quattro with an output of 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque and the 3.2-liter V6 quattro generating 195 kW (265 hp) are both equipped with the Audi valvelift system. This feature can produce more power and higher torque as well as lower fuel consumption.
The following engines are also available right from the start: the 2.0 TDI with 125 kW (170 hp), 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), a 6-speed manual gearbox and start/stop system, the 2.7 TDI with 140 kW (190 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), and the three-liter V6 TDI with 176 kW (240 hp) plus an enormous 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of maximum torque and quattro all-wheel drive.
The newly developed ESP control with electronic differential lock on the front axle ensures noticeably improved steering response as on the Coupé and Cabriolet and compensates effectively for change-of-load reactions - which increases driving safety.
The perfect addition to this technology package is the Audi drive select dynamic driving system - this allows the driver to choose between three different modes which influences the throttle response characteristics, the shift points for the seven-speed S tronic or multitronic transmissions, and supports the servotronic steering. If the vehicle is equipped with the MMI operating system, a fourth, freely programmable level is also available.
Audi drive select can only be ordered in conjunction with one or more of three additional technologies - adaptive shock absorber control, dynamic steering with continuously variable assistance and quattro with sport differential for the 3.0 TDI and 3.2 FSI versions.
Comments (10)
4 door hatchbacks...*sigh*.
Like the red headed step child, no one loves them.
Hatchback coupes, good.
Coupes, good.
4 door, sedans, good
4 door/2 door wagons, good.
Other variants upon these, not good.
Posted by Brian | June 17, 2009 5:49 PM
Posted on June 17, 2009 17:49
So 08/09 WRX Sti = bad? I beg to differ. It may not be the matchbox car previous iterations were, but its good looking in its own way.
Posted by IanZ | June 18, 2009 6:19 AM
Posted on June 18, 2009 06:19
So 08/09 WRX Sti = bad? I beg to differ. It may not be the matchbox car previous iterations were, but its good looking in its own way.
Posted by IanZ | June 18, 2009 7:13 AM
Posted on June 18, 2009 07:13
@ IanZ
I think Brian is just doing a poor job at explaining himself (although I could be wrong). I think he's complaining about 4 door hatchbacks that don't offer the increased cargo capacity associated with a boxy rear section. His exception for hatchback coupes is probably due to their purpose of being sporty. I gree with you on the new Impreza hatch, looks nicer than the sedan, but I don't have the usual American dislike towards hatches.
Anyway, it doesn't matter much since audi is a premium brand and their margins can absorb more unique derivations with lower production figures. I don't see any problem with more choices, this is probably a low risk move for Audi.
Posted by thetruth | June 18, 2009 11:33 AM
Posted on June 18, 2009 11:33
@thetruth
Correct.
And I do have some of the typical American dislike toward hatches... What I don't like is 4 door sport hatches, aka the STi. I think it was much nicer looking in the old 22B days.
(That and I don't like the fact most car companies are ditching coupes.)
At present if I bought a Subaru it would be the 08 Legacy Spec B...now that looks nice.
And I do like some hatches, like the Renault Clio Sport. You know with all these mergers and stuff, if Renault could sell the Clio here, yeah that's probably not gonna happen.
Posted by Brian | June 18, 2009 2:42 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 14:42
Why do people buy cars to impress other people like Brian? I couldn't care less what you think Brian, sorry.
Sure, a lot of cars look better than a hatch but none of them are as usefull. The STi (as an example) provides cargo utility and incredible performance in ANY weather = win. I didn't buy mine for only looks. If I wanted looks I would have bought a useless car like a Mustang or Solstice or something that Brian would like.
The Audi hatch will be another great car.
Posted by Subpra | June 19, 2009 10:38 PM
Posted on June 19, 2009 22:38
And at what point did I say I didn't like what was powering the STi?
The 2.5L turbo boxer engine is a great design, coupled with the six speed and awd you can't go wrong. If I was in the market for something in that area I probably would go with the STi just based on the technical merits. If I wanted something less refined, I probably find an old muscle car as opposed to buying a mustang or camaro...
As for utility...granted hatchbacks have more usable space. So do suv's. Actually so do cuv's and whatever you want to define things like the Matrix as (hatch or wagon I suppose?). But your STi still fails at most complex hauling tasks. You could not fit a full chest of drawers in it. 4x8 sheets of plywood would not go inside, perhaps on top. So for maximum usage potential with regard to hauling items a truck is the best solution. Considering most are good powered V6 or V8 designs with 4 wheel drive it will probably go anywhere you need it. (Along with a higher ground clearance than the STi).
Don't get me wrong I don't mind hatches. I just don't like 4 door hatch designs, it's like a higher shorter wagon... Something like the Audi A4 Avant looks good. The Clio Sport looks nice as well, since it's a two door design. It's a completely subjective and personal thing, so it doesn't really matter to me if you "care" or not.
Posted by Brian | June 21, 2009 9:27 AM
Posted on June 21, 2009 09:27
i don't think hatchbacks need to haul stuff like boats, larger furniture, etc. i think they carry people, belongings, misc furniture, dogs, etc. around perfectly. they are sports cars with a little extra room for everyday things. if you want a mammoth of a car to carry larger furniture... get an SUV. but to be honest... why do you need such a large vehicle for something you do rarely? i don't know too many people moving every month... rent a truck if you need something big... and buy the hatchback for everyday use. i have a MK IV GTI and love it. it's been great and will continue to do so.
Posted by anon | June 22, 2009 1:09 PM
Posted on June 22, 2009 13:09
i agree with brian, when it comes to looks, nothing beats a sedan.
but, in my experience, i rarely used the trunk space.
simply, hatchbacks are practical, much in europe and asia. my next car should be a hatchback.
Posted by adrian | June 23, 2009 11:12 AM
Posted on June 23, 2009 11:12
i agree with brian, when it comes to looks, nothing beats a sedan.
but, in my experience, i rarely used the trunk space.
simply, hatchbacks are practical, much in europe and asia. my next car should be a hatchback.
Posted by adrian | June 23, 2009 11:19 AM
Posted on June 23, 2009 11:19