A prototype of the upcoming A5 Sportback has been spotted for the first time, and while there is only one image we can clearly see that the car will feature a high waistline and low roof. The front-end should be identical to the A5 Coupe on which it is based.
According to these recent renderings, the A5 Sportback will feature a five-door configuration but will be much sleeker than traditional Audi Avant wagons. The design appears almost like a four-door coupe but the roomy cabin, tall profile, and sloping hatchback style rear-door ensures the Sportback sits in its own niche.
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. Power will come from the same engines used in the regular A5 lineup, with a 4.2L FSI V8 expected to appear in a range-topping RS5 model.
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 boss Rupert Stadler’s boast that up to 18 new models will be launched by 2015 suggests that almost every niche will be filled.
Expect to see the A5 Sportback launched in the second half of next year.
Audi has also released several official sketches of the A5 Sportback plus several other crucial models, such as the A7 four-door coupe and next-generation A8 saloon, which you can read about in our previous story by clicking here.
Reader Comments
Fri Jul 20 2007 3:42 PM
Gus says
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.
Fri Jul 20 2007 7:13 PM
HECTOR says
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.
Fri Jul 20 2007 9:08 PM
Gus says
Yep.
I remember the 80s with BMW and Benz. Big time different mentality...
Fri Jul 20 2007 9:46 PM
Scott says
This car is incredible and beautiful. I now own an awesome S4 Avant. This would be my next car.
Mon Jul 23 2007 10:23 AM
Michael says
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...
Mon Jul 23 2007 10:32 AM
Segfault says
@Gus "To Americans it will always be a “station wagonâ€
Wed Jul 25 2007 5:57 PM
Dale from DG says
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!
Tue Feb 19 2008 12:07 AM
kane says
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
Wed Mar 19 2008 4:14 PM
Jeanette says
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.
Mon May 12 2008 7:26 PM
Hans says
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.
Wed Sep 24 2008 8:09 AM
NaBUru38 says
The Mondeo, Insignia, Avensis and Laguna all have five-door liftback bodystyles. Why can't Audi?
Wed Sep 24 2008 8:29 PM
NoNameDenton says
Hector, your first reaction is to always be negative
Tue Sep 30 2008 6:17 AM
azlan says
i love audis but if that going to be the new a7 i will be =[, i could desig a better looking car with my bum hole
Wed Nov 12 2008 5:31 PM
NoNameDenton says
azlan read what it says, A5 sportback
Wed Nov 12 2008 5:51 PM
mburleigh8 says
I don't like it.
Wed Nov 12 2008 8:45 PM
azlan says
nonamedenton: sorry, but it doesnt matter if i got that wrong or not its still crap.
Thu Nov 13 2008 7:47 AM
FP23 says
what's up with this... there already pics of the same car on Motor Authority:
http://www.motorauthority.com/gallery/audi-a7-first-spy-shots/2010-audi-a7-first-spy-shots-motorauthority-001.html
But they are declared as "Audi A7" ... so you were wrong months ago, because this prototype (now presented as brand new & exclusive) is already aged ;)
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