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Audi’s all-new A5 set for Paris Motor Show

a169167_largeSeven years and more than 340,000 units after the launch of the first Audi A5, the 2016 Paris Motor Show will play host to the world premiere of the all-new second generation model.

The new car’s stretched wheelbase, short overhangs and long, wraparound bonnet featuring a power dome are all designed to emphasise the dynamism of the five-door coupé silhouette. The three-dimensional Singleframe grille is flatter and wider than on the previous model. The pronounced bulges over the wheel arches are intended to underscore Audi’s quattro DNA.

The new Audi A5 Sportback has grown significantly inside. The interior length has gained 17mm, the shoulder room for driver and front passenger up to 11mm and the rear knee room 24mm. With 480 litres of luggage capacity, the A5 Sportback is claimed to rate among the best in its class. Audi also offers the option of sensor control for opening and closing the standard-fit electric luggage compartment lid.

The rear seat back splits 40:20:40 as standard. The load-area width measures exactly one metre. The rectangular-shaped layout of the 480-litre luggage compartment is designed to make in terms of practical use. With the rear seats folded down, it can accommodate 1,300 litres.

Thanks to an all-new operating and display concept, including free-text search, the driver can control all functions effortlessly and intuitively. As an alternative to the standard-fit analogue instrument dials, the Audi virtual cockpit with its various display options brings the driver added convenience. The large, high-resolution TFT monitor (12.3 inches) presents richly detailed graphics.

a169168_largeThe optional head-up display projects all relevant information onto the windscreen as easily comprehensible symbols and digits, enabling the driver to keep their eyes on the road.

Audi’s flagship infotainment version is MMI navigation plus with MMI touch. It includes such features as 10 GB of flash storage, a DVD drive, Audi connect services free of charge for three years, up to five free navigation updates and an 8.3-inch monitor with a resolution of 1,024 x 480 pixels. Audi MMI navigation plus works in close cooperation with many of the assistance and safety systems.

The Audi smartphone interface integrates iOS and Android phones in an environment specially developed for them in the MMI. The Audi phone box connects smartphones to the on-board antenna to provide superior reception quality. It also charges the smartphone inductively, without any wires, using the Qi standard. The Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound opens up the spatial dimension of height. Its amplifier supplies 755 watts of power to 19 loudspeakers.

The driver assistance systems in the new Audi A5 Sportback cover a wide range of functions, and Audi is also taking the next step towards piloted driving. Playing a central role is the adaptive cruise control (ACC) Stop&Go system including traffic jam assist. It relieves drivers in slow-moving traffic up to a driving speed of 40mph by assuming the tasks of braking and accelerating the car, and it also temporarily takes charge of steering it on better roads.

The predictive efficiency assistant, which evaluates GPS information from the car’s immediate surroundings, helps to save fuel by giving specific driving advice.

Collision avoidance assist intervenes if the car needs to drive around an obstacle to avoid an accident. Based on data from the front camera, ACC and radar sensors, it computes a recommended driving line within a fraction of a second.

The lineup is rounded out by other assistance systems such as turn assist, park assist, cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, camera-based traffic sign recognition, Audi active lane assist and Audi side assist.

a169168_largeThe front axle features redesigned five-link suspension, while a five-link construction replaces the trapezoidal-link rear suspension used previously. The adaptive dampers available as an option are integrated into the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system. They make for a driving experience that is both dynamic and comfortable. The new electro-mechanical power steering provides better road feedback and steering precision. Also available as an option is dynamic steering, which varies its gear ratio depending on the speed and steering angle.

As standard, the A5 Sportback is fitted with 17-inch forged lightweight wheels, with a wide range of options available up to 19 inches in size. All tyres have been optimised for rolling resistance, which reduces CO2 emissions by an average of 2.8 grams per km.

Customers can choose between two petrol TFSI and three diesel TDI engine versions for the new Audi A5 Sportback. They produce between 190PS and 286PS of power. Compared with the previous model, Audi has reduced their fuel consumption by as much as 22 percent while increasing power output by up to 17 percent.

The four-cylinder TDI in the new Audi A5 Sportback develops 187 bhp and peak torque of 295 lb ft between 1,750 and 3,000 rpm. With quattro all-wheel drive and the seven-speed S tronic, 62mph from rest takes 7.4 seconds. Top speed is 146mph. In combination with the seven-speed S tronic and front-wheel drive, the 2.0 TDI returns 67.3mpg combined according to the NEDC standard, a CO2 equivalent of 109 grams per km.

a169144_largeHigh and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation and sophisticated exhaust gas treatment including an SCR system (SCR: selective catalytic reduction) work in favour of low emissions.

Audi also offers the 2.0 TDI in an ultra version with modifications to the transmission ratio, optimised streamlining of the body and suspension as well as the use of low-rolling-resistance tyres help to further reduce consumption, enabling up to 68.9 mpg combined (108 grams of CO2 per kilometre) in the NEDC cycle, which sets the benchmark in the competitive field.

The two six-cylinder TDI power units offer a blend of power, refinement and impressive efficiency. The first variant of the 3.0 TDI produces 215 bhp and torque of 295 lb ft, available between 1,250 and 3,750 rpm. In the NEDC cycle, this engine is capable of a combined 61.4 mpg, corresponding to CO2 emissions of 119 grams per km.

The new top TDI increases power output to 282 bhp and offers 457 lb ft of torque between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. It features optimised combustion chamber filling, charge cycles and thermal management. The result is increased performance coupled with a further reduction in fuel consumption. Close-coupled catalytic converters treat the exhaust gas effectively.

The top diesel version contains a newly developed turbocharger that is 20 percent lighter, with variable turbine geometry (VTG) and a maximum boost pressure of 3.3 bar.

Transmission choices include a six-speed manual, a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission or eight-speed tiptronic. Front-wheel drive is standard, with quattro all-wheel drive available as an option in two versions. It is standard for the 3.0 TDI with 282 bhp.

The new quattro with ultra technology is available for the TFSI and TDI four-cylinder engines with manual transmission. The all-wheel drive system’s intelligent control works predictively, always looking ahead by means of a comprehensive array of sensors and the continuous analysis of the driving dynamics, road condition and driver behaviour data collected.

During operation at low loads without the risk of wheel slip, the new quattro drive uses front-wheel drive. But the all-wheel drive system is always ready when needed. This system reduces the potential difference in fuel consumption between front-wheel drive and permanent all-wheel drive systems.

Audi claims the body of the new A5 Sportback is the lightest in the segment. An “intelligent” mix of materials makes it 15 kilograms lighter than that of its predecessor. The overall weight of the new generation has fallen by as much as 85 kilograms to just 1,470 kilograms, excluding the driver.

There will also be a petrol-powered S5 high-performance version of the new A5.

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