The 2017 Audi A5 and S5 have arrived in Australia sporting a new look, an all-new platform and a much-improved value equation. The second-generation A5 was revealed in June 2016, and arrives in Australia with what Audi Australia claims is an $26,000 improvement in its value equation.
“The all-new Audi A5 Coupe is even more stunning than its predecessor,” said Andrew Doyle, Managing Director of Audi Australia.
“The original A5 set an impressive benchmark for beautifully resolved sports coupe design. To evolve its elegant simplicity into something more edgy was a formidable task for the Audi design team, but the end result is astonishingly good!
“It’s no surprise that loyal A5 owners, and fans of the new design that are turning to Audi for the first time, have voted with their feet. Before this week’s official launch, we already hold 500 orders for this spectacular vehicle,” said Mr Doyle.
The 2017 Audi A5 is based on the Volkswagen Group’s new MLB platform, and is claimed to weigh, on average, more than 40 kg less than the previous generation model. Despite the weight loss, the 2017 A5 has been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and arrives in Australia with active safety equipment such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, rear traffic alert, Audi Side Assist blind spot monitoring and a rear view camera as standard.
The 2017 Audi A5 range opens with the entry-level 2.0TFSI S-Tronic (from $69,900), which now comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic – itself allowing a massive performance improvement over the previous entry-level model’s Multitronic CVT automatic, Audi claims. The 2.0TFSI uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 140kW of power and 320Nm of torque.
Higher up the range are the 2.0TFSI quattro and 2.0TDI quattro models ($81,500 and $73,900 respectively), both using the same seven-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic automatic transmission as the 2.0TFSI. The quattro all-wheel drive system in the second-generation A5 is split 40:60 front/rear in normal driving, but is capable of sending up to 70% of power to just the front wheels, and up to 80% of power to the rear wheels during “particularly dynamic driving”, Audi claims.
The 2017 Audi A5 2.0TFSI quattro uses a higher-tuned version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, this time producing 185kW of power and 370Nm of torque and capable of launching to 100km.h in just 5.8 seconds. The 2.0TDI quattro uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel producing 140kW of power and 400Nm of torque, itself available from just 1,750rpm, and claims a combined fuel consumption rating of just 4.6L/100km.
The 2017 Audi A5 is claimed to arrive in Australia with a claimed $26,000 improvement in its value equation, including a large standard equipment boost for all variants. The entry-level 2.0TFSI benefits most from the equipment boost, and now arrives with a larger engine and more power/torque, 18-inch alloy wheels, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit 12.3-inch digital dials, LED headlights and tailights, MMI Navigation with a 180w 10-speaker sound system, Audi connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and start, LED interior mood lighting, tri-zone climate control and electric front seats with lumbar adjustment.
The 2.0TFSI quattro comes even better equipped, including 19-inch alloy wheels, memory functionality for the driver’s seat, auto-dimming exterior mirrors and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
The 2017 Audi S5 (from $105,800 – a huge cut from the previous model’s $122,810) has also arrived in Australia, and is armed with a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine producing 260kW (up 15kW from its 60kg-heavier predecessor) of power and 500Nm (up 60Nm) of torque. It is capable of sprinting to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds, with a electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.
The S5 also sees a healthy equipment boost, including the upgraded MMI Touch infotainment system incorporating Google Maps, a 360-degree parking camera, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, high speed AEB, active lane keep assist, predictive efficiency assist (which uses the navigation system to predict changes in altitude and prepares the drivetrain to increase efficiency) and even an exit warning system that uses the LED interior lighting to warn you of an unseen car or cyclist next to the car upon exit.
Naturally being an Audi, there are a number of option packages for the A5 and S5 buyer, including an S-Line Style package ($3,900 for the 2.0TFSI and 2.0TDI quattro – 19-inch alloy wheels, extended bumpers, tinted windows and illuminated door sills), an S-Line Sport package ($7,400 for base models, $5,900 for the quattro – includes the Style package and Nappa leather, an S-Line flat-bottomed steering wheel and brushed aluminium interior trim), the Technik package for $5,600 including Matrix LED headlights, a heads-up display and a Bang & Olufsen sound system), as well an Assistance package for $2,470 including adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, active lane keep assist, high-speed AEB.
The S5 is also available with the same Technik package ($5,600), a quattro sport differential ($2,950), dynamic variable ratio steering ($2,210) and a sunroof ($2,850).
Like the previous generation model, the A5 and S5 range is due to expand almost, with the addition of the four-door Sportback variant, the two-door cabriolet and high performance RS5 Coupe, all due to arrive in Australia before the end of 2017.
2017 Audi A5 Coupe pricing (plus on-road costs):
2.0TFSI – $69,900
2.0TDI quattro – $73,900
2.0TFSI quattro – $81,500
S5 3.0TFSI quattro – $105,800