Last year Audi rolled out two luxury sports coupes loosely based on the 2003 Nuvolari quattro concept. Both the A5 and S5 ride on the same chassis, but the A5 comes with a 3.2-liter, 265-horsepower V6, versus a 354 horsepower V8 in the S5. A turbo-diesel version of the A5 is available in Europe.
Though the A5's zero-to-sixty acceleration is a second slower than its sportier sib, six seconds is nothing to sneeze at. The A5 also gets better gas mileage: about 21 miles-per-gallon on average. Since both engines require premium fuel, the difference in fuel economy has a big impact on cost of operation.
A six-speed automatic transmission with manual gear selection is standard, as is Audi's quattro all-wheel drive. Under normal driving conditions, quattro maintains a 40/60 front-to-rear weight balance. On wet or uneven roads, the system automatically transfers engine power to the wheel or wheels with the best traction.
Base price on the test car is $41,200. Options and a $775 delivery charge bring the MSRP up to just over $50,000. Options include nineteen-inch wheels with a sport suspension, sport tires, sport seats, and special badging ($2900), GPS navigation ($2390), bi-xenon headlamps, auto-dimming mirrors, and heated front seats with position memory ($1850), rearview parking camera, adaptive headlamps, and advanced key ($1700).
Head-turning Exterior
Though black paint is never my first choice in the middle of a Phoenix summer, I have to admit that the A5 is quite a looker. Proportions borrowed from the Nuvolari concept give the A5 a unique profile that can't fail to turn heads. A large sweeping arc dominates the side view: the car's long hood and short rear end allowed engineers to optimize front-to-rear weight balance and handling.
Up front, wide, horizontal headlamps frame a trapezoidal grille, with large air inlets in the bottom corners. Wide taillamps in back give the car a wide, planted stance, like and animal about to pounce.
Driver-focused Interior
Audis are very much driver's cars: the interior integrates elements from the automaker's race cars into a high-luxury environment. Paddles on the back of the steering wheel allow the driver to shift F1 style. Redundant audio controls on the wheel can vary audio volume or change programming.
The driver can also shift conventionally, using a lever on the floor console. An electronic parking brake control next to the gear shift eliminates a heavier, space consuming mechanical brake.
A memory function that comes with the premium option package allows up to two drivers to store seat and mirror positions. The same option package adds front seat heaters, and automatic dimming and folding side mirrors.
The standard smart key stores information about the car's electrical system, which technicians can use when the car goes into the dealership for service. An advanced key option on the test car adds keyless access to the car and keyless start.
Audi's MMI system operates similar to a personal computer: it integrates media and navigation controls into a single mouse. A screen at the top of the center stack displays audio settings, navigation maps, and a wide angle camera view to the rear of the car when the driver shifts into reverse.
Lines superimposed over the camera image show the direction the vehicle will move in, based on wheel position. Using the system, the driver can back into a tight parking spot without having to look back or use the rearview mirrors.
The standard audio system includes an in-dash 6 disc CD changer and Sirius satellite radio. The ten-speaker surround-sound system is comparable in quality to a high-end home system. Other standard comfort features include dual-zone climate control, and a sunroof with sunshade.
There is one twelve volt powerpoint: the cigarette lighter.
Both rows of seats have enough cup and bottle holders: there are two cupholders in the floor console, two next to the middle pillar for rear passengers, and bottle holders in the doors. Reading lamps and climate controls are also designed to accommodate four passengers.
Unfortunately, the back seats are extremely difficult to climb in and out of. Though head and shoulder room are adequate, legroom is scarce.
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