New Audi A5 range starts from £41,950
Further details have been announced for Audi’s new A5 range in the UK as the brand moves on from its current A4 and A5 models.
The UK will see all A5 offerings available in Sport, S Line and Edition 1 spec, while the S5 Saloon and Avant only come in Edition 1 form. These will also be the first Audi models to use its new combustion engine system.
Sport
The entry level Sport versions come with an extensive array of new tech, including an AI-supported and self learning digital voice called Audi Assistant. This is capable of recognising more than 800 different voice commands and is central to operating a number of functions in the new range. The interior is finished in a leather trim and contains an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch OLED central touchscreen. There is also three zone climate control and a bolstered driver assistance package with adaptive cruise control and brand new parking assistant plus.
Comfort suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights all come as standard. Prices start from £41,950 for the A5 Saloon and £43,850 for the A5 Avant.
S line
The S line versions sit on bigger 19-inch wheels with a 5-twin-V-spoke design and is defined by new rear-mounted red rhombus badging, privacy glass and a sports suspension. The interior contains a new three spoke multifunction steering wheel and tons of ‘S’ detailing on the sports seats, stainless steel pedals, matt brushed aluminium inlays and door sill inserts within the sportier feeling A5 variant.
Prices start from £44,100 for the A5 Saloon and £46,000 for the A5 Avant.
Edition 1
As the top spec option, Edition 1 goes one further than the S line exterior by offering 20 inch 5-arm fold Audi Sport alloy wheels and red brake callipers as well as a black styling pack. This includes black door handles, mirrors and - for Avant versions only - roof rails. The matrix LED headlights have eight different light settings and have better precision than the standard LEDs seen on the Sport and S line variants.
Inside, integrated into the dashboard is an additional 10.9 inch MMI passenger display which enables your ‘co-pilot’ to control infotainment and navigation features themselves. Dynamic Privacy Mode keeps the driver from getting distracted. The driver assistance features reflect the Edition 1’s superior status, with additions on top of the standard like a top view camera, proactive occupant protection for the front, side and rear, along with a sophisticated lane change assistant.
Occupants will be sitting on diamond stitched electronically adjustable sports seats, made from a mix of artificial leather and Dinamica, and can enjoy sky views by looking up through the panoramic glass roof featuring smart glass that becomes opaque at the touch of a button. A new dynamic 84 LED light strip goes across the width of the dashboard to communicate info about the car via various sequences.
The S5 Edition 1 goes even further with Pearl Nappa leather seats and integrated front seat headrest speakers - part of the new Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system. The front seats also have massage and ventilation function.
A5 Saloon and Avant owners choose the Sound and Vision Pack for an extra £2,495 to enjoy some of the features from the S5 models. These include the Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system with speakers in the headrest and an ambient lighting package.
Prices for the Edition 1 A5 Saloon start at £49,100 and £51,000 for the A5 Avant. The S5 Saloon comes in at £68,700, while the S5 Avant is £70,600, making it the highest priced of the new range.
Powertrain options
The new A5 range launches with 150hp and 204hp 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engines and a 204hp 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine.
Top spec S5 Saloon and S5 Avant models are powered by a 3.0 litre V6 TFSI engine that produces 365bhp. The new Audi engines are partially electrified, helping to reduce CO2 emissions.
The two TFSI units drive the front wheels, whereas the TDI versions are available in either font wheel drive or quattro all wheel drive. All use a seven-speed S tronic twin slutch transmission.
All models are available to order now, with customer deliveries expected to start in November.
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Audi