AUDI has ditched the A4 mannequin for good after a 30-year run, as an alternative counting on the sleeker, swaggier A5 vary to fill the hole. However prospects wanting drop-top or two-door fashions will probably be recent out of luck…
The amalgamation of A4 sedan and wagon fashions into the A5 vary is one Audi says, “redefines the sedan and makes the Avant extra enticing”, combining coupe styling with four-door practicality.
There may be another excuse, although, which is using odd numbers for combustion fashions (see A5) and even numbers for all-electric fashions, that means the A4 because it stands merely needed to die… or electrify.
The simplified four-model lineup will include the A5 Sedan and Avant, and S5 Sedan and Avant, that are the primary fashions to be based mostly on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) chassis structure.
Commonplace A5 fashions will probably be provided with an entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 110kW or 150kW relying on the trim, or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with mild-hybrid system producing 150kW/400Nm.
Sportier S5 fashions will use a 3.0-litre V6 that places out 270kW, with the identical mild-hybrid system for further punch and economic system.
The producer’s new MHEV Plus system depends on a big 1.76kWh battery and two electrical motors, providing advantages nearer to these usually discovered on a conventional hybrid automobile.
Audi claims the brand new hybrid system reduces emissions by a large 10g/km on its diesel engine and 17g/km on the V6 engine utilized in S5 fashions. Apparently, it’ll additionally present a 18kW enhance and can be utilized at take-off and as much as a pace of round 30km/h.
All of the expertise equates to spectacular claimed mixed gasoline use figures. The diesel A5 fashions will sip simply 4.7-5.6L/100km, whereas the petrol S5 fashions will use 7.4-7.9L/100km.
In line with Audi, the brand new A5 is bodily longer and wider too, positioning it towards different mid-size sedans just like the BMW 4 Collection and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Actual dimensions, although, are but to be disclosed by the producer.
The design cues replicate the elevated dimensions, with a muscular stance and sweeping, coupe-like rear-end for the sedan. The Avant opts for a roof spoiler and flat rear window, with steeply raked D-pillars making a shooting-brake facet profile.
“In tandem with the growth of our all-electric portfolio, we’re launching a brand new era of fashions with environment friendly combustion engines,” stated Audi CEO Gernot Döllner.
“The Audi A5 household with its athletic design, utterly new inside and future-proof electronics structure would be the first.
“The superior MHEV plus expertise allows partially electrical driving and subsequently much more environment friendly driving.”
Audi has confirmed the brand new A5 and S5 will launch in Germany and different European markets in November, however Australian launch particulars are but to be confirmed.
