Posted on Friday 20 July 2007
It appears the new Audi A5 Coupe may not be a single model line for long as rumors of a new A5 Sportback begin to mount. Though the vehicle shares some obvious similarities with the A4 Avant, the roomier cabin, taller profile and sloping hatchback style rear-door means the A5 Sportback could form its own niche.
These renderings reveal that the new A5 variant could pick up two rear doors. Base models will feature common rail diesel engines ranging from 140 to 200hp, with the rest of the lineup featuring petrol powered TFSI engines and a range topping 4.2L FSI V8 for the RS5.
The base model will remain FWD but AWD variants will feature the latest quattro torque vectoring systems, which distribute drive individually between each axle and between the rear wheels for improved traction and stability.
Though it seems odd that Audi would build the A5 Sportback with five doors considering part of the A5’s appeal is its coupe bodystyle, Audi exec Rupert Stadler’s boast that up to 18 new models will be launched in coming years leads us to believe that there may be some merit in the possibility of the five-door A5 Sportback making it to production.
Click ahead for the renderings.
To Americans it will always be a “station wagon”.
People won’t buy them simply because the nieghbor will point, laugh and say “do they offer wood paneling decals for the side of those?”
Ine Europe, they are called “Combi’s” and are very respected for their SUV like room and car like handling and mileage. Amazing how far this country has to go to catch up with modern mentalities.
Sorry everyone but my first reaction is to be disgusted with Audi.
To me the A5 was a response to reports that BMW was planning to create a *4 series* made up of only 2 door sports cars. No problem with that, Audi just started sooner.
But now they come up with this A5 Sportsback. And the only question I can come up with is WHY? What is the reasoning in having a car slightly bigger than an A4 and slightly smaller than an A6? Are they also going to have an A5 convertible, SUV, SAV, 4 door, 5 door, 3 door, sedan-coupe? Again, who exactly is getting paid - and how much - to sit around and say *hey, you know what we need… an A9 and 12 variations thereof!!!*
The German big 3 used to be about luxury, engineering and exclusivity. Now that cars of most marques are very well made and appointed the first two are out the door. And if they continue their drive to provide wheels for every man and his dog the exclusivity factor will soon be gone.
What am I saying, it’s gone already.
Yep.
I remember the 80s with BMW and Benz. Big time different mentality…
This car is incredible and beautiful. I now own an awesome S4 Avant. This would be my next car.
Actually they are going to build a convertible of the A5! It replaces the A4 convertible. There will also be a smaller A3 convertible as well…
@Gus “To Americans it will always be a “station wagon”.”
I think you’re wrong. I know many many Americans who are now looking to the “Combi” market and realizing you get car like experience with SUV like storage & utility. I’m also an American and I would buy this car. I drive an A3 now and was looking at an S4 Avant as my next purchase. IF the S5 comes to the States I would probably have to reconsider my idea of the S4.
I’m glad to see a “larger” Avant in Audi’s future to replace my Allroad. Hopefully they’ll have the oil-burner engines available as well. This car looks beautiful!
yea seriously why have an a4,a5 and a6 wagon…. for gods sake the a6 avant uses the a4 sedans tail-lights as it is… a5,s5,rs5. END
Well for that Hector guy that doesn’ t like this A5…………..boy this car is extremly gorgeous!!!! bmw lataz… you have to go to the big body beemers to get that luxery feel, cause that 3 series aint got nothing.
Love this S5 sportsback, finally someone make a good looking car for people that like fast cars and need room for camping gear and maybe a ski trip for the weekend.