Search: more on the Audi A5 Sportback
Audi might be celebrating its 100th birthday this year, but there seems no let up to new models coming to market. The latest car from Ingolstadt, the A5 Sportback, is a interesting addition to the Audi range as it's a niche car. What makes this new version of the A5 surprising is that Audi are usually cautious to react to market trends. You only have to look at how long it took them to produce a small SUV rival (Q5).What is the A5 Sportback?
So what is the A5 Sportback? Well, take one A5 coupe, stretch the wheelbase, add a couple of doors and give it a bigger boot and you've got the idea. Audi claim that this model is unique, and any thoughts of a weird Frankenstein car are soon silenced when you see the A5 Sportback in the flesh as its not been hit by the ugly stick!
Styling inspired by the past
Highlight of the A5 Sportback's design has to be sloping D pillars. Audi was keen to emphasise that these were inspired by the pretty 100 Coupe S from 1969. From the side it almost looks like a coupe version of the A4 with a curved roof line. The front and rear styling remains unchanged from the standard A5, with the bold grille, LED running lights and tail lights.
Surprisingly practical
Inside the extra 86mm is most obvious in the back of the A5 Sportback. Legroom is excellent, and despite the angled roof line headroom, even for tall passengers is fine. Strictly a four-seater, the Sportback features a central armrest. The sweeping fastback tail opens as a practical hatchback to reveal an A4 saloon matching 480 litres of luggage space. With the rear seat folded this increases to a massive 980 litres. It's just a shame that the load area is a bit shallow.
What's it like to drive then?
Another benefit of the A5 Sportback's longer wheelbase is the extra stability on the move. Like the coupe before it, the A5 does tend to feel a bit too soft and under damped. I'm not convinced that models fitted with the Audi Drive Select system were an improvement either. Make any engine choice with care, as the heavier engines do have an effect on the A5 Sportback's dynamics.
I had the chance to drive six versions of the A5 Sportback, all with distinctly different road characteristics. My favourite combination at the launch was the 211PS 2.0-litre TFSI with 7-speed S tronic transmission. The engine sounded good, was happy to rev and there was a sportier handling balance with the S-line's 18-inch alloy wheels and Audi Drive Select system, which brings adaptive dampers and the choice between 'Comfort', 'Auto' and 'Dynamic' suspension settings. Another likeable Sportback model was the predicted best-seller. The 170PS 2.0-litre TDi diesel with 6-speed manual transmission and green start-stop technology was a well matched engine and gearbox combination. It's refined and at speed I was hard pressed to tell whether I was driving a petrol or diesel model. Sadly, the least impressive model is also the range-topper.
