Audi has taken the wraps off its second-generation A5 and S5 Sportback models, which are rumored to be making their way to the USA market this time around. Overall, it looks sleeker and sharper than the first-gen Sportback, and seems to be following a similar pattern of changes to the A5 coupe. Like the new Audi A5, the Sportback is based on the Major League Baseball platform, which means that it managed to lose about 187 pounds compared to its predecessor. While the new Sportback’s 480-litres of luggage space isn’t any bigger than its predecessor, Audi says it is now able to accommodate up to 1,300-litres of cargo with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats folded down, more than 300-litres bigger than before.
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The new Audi A5 Sportback range is expected to be available to order in the United Kingdom in mid-October. Two 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol units produce either 140kW/320Nm or 185kW/370Nm.
In the S5’s case, engineers chose a twin-turbo, 3.0-litre V6 producing 354 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.
Internationally, the A5 Sportback range also includes a bi-fuel variant known as the g-tron, which features a 125kW variant of the 2-litre petrol powerplant that can run on natural gas or petrol.
Breaking cover seven years after the original model, the latest A5/S5 liftback models adopt the German marque’s latest corporate exterior design language, featuring a familiar single-frame grille and heavily contoured lines along the bonnet and bodyline – as found on the corresponding two-door A5 Coupe and S5 Coupe.
The added performance helps the S5 accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.
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The Sportback has adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, collision avoidance and can even use Global Positioning System to understand the road ahead and adjust throttle and gears accordingly for the greatest fuel efficiency. Local pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to introduction.
