AUDI EXTENDS ITS RANGE WITH THE NEW A5 AND S5 COUPES
20 July 2007 - Audi

Audi’s range has gone from 10 models to 25 in10 years and it has been their ability to enter new mark segments which has driven their considerable sales growth.

Record UK sales year after year look set to continue in 2007. For the first six months of this year their registrations have increased by 22.2 per cent over the first six months of 2006 to 55,000 vehicles.

Audi outstripped Mercedes-Benz sales in the UK years ago and now they have closed in on BMW, being just over 1,500 sales behind them for the first half of this year.

The Audi range is still not complete with more new models to be added to more sectors. The latest is the A5/S5 range of two-door, four-seat coupes and the first models will be delivered to customers this month. Other variants will be added throughout the year an early in 2008.

The A5/S5 is essentially a premium C-segment coupe selling against the BMW 3-Series Coupe and the Mercedes CLK. This year Audi expect to sell 3,800 A5/S5s in the UK rising to 8,000 next year when the line-up is complete. Already 2,000 A5/S5s have been ordered since the new coupe was announced in March.

Unusually Audi has introduced the most powerful and expensive quattro all wheel drive models first. These are the A5 3.0-litre TDI quattro model with its 240PS V6 turbodiesel engine priced at £33,430 and the S5 4.2-litre FSI quattro with their V8 354PS petrol engine priced at £39,825.

These two models will be followed at the end of this year by front wheel drive A5 variants, the 2.7-litre TDI 190PS priced at £31,640 and the 3.2-litre FSI 265PS multitronic automatic transmission at £33,230. A quattro 3.2-litre FSI version with manual transmission will cost £33,375.

Early next year 1.8-litre T-FSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel two wheel drive variants priced around £26,000 will complete the line up. These two are expected to account for 75 per cent of all A5 sales in the UK, the 2.0-litre diesel version being the overall main seller with 50 per cent of sales.

Audi said this week that quattro models would account for 20 per cent of sales once the range is complete. Of the 2,000 advance orders for the two launch models, 70 per cent of customers had opted for the 3.0-litre TDI quattro variant. Audi expects overall sales next year to be split 50-50 between retail and fleet or business user-chooser customers.

The A5 Coupe sits in their range between the fast selling but compact new Audi TT Coupe and the sold-out R8 two-seater supercar so it has to meet a wide range of customer requirements in a very choosy market sector.

Audi’s view of the customer profile for A5 and S5 buyers: 90 per cent will be male, but many females will actually drive the car, the buyer’s average age will be 46-52 years, 49 per cent married with no children, 39 per cent married with children at university or secondary school, 10 per cent will be single, they are status conscious, performance orientated, successful in business with an average income of £93,000 and are looking for a clear identifiable brand image.

Views
The A5/S5 Coupes get the first use of Audi’s all-new medium sized sports platform that will also be used for the new A4 range due for launch in the first quarter of next year. The front sports suspension, steering and front axle points are mounted ahead of the engine to improve steering response with better turn-in characteristics and cornering performance.

The A5/S5s have the longest wheelbase for a mid-sized Audi as it aims to be a full four-seater coupe even though it only has two doors. It has the widest track of any medium sized Audi ever to not only improve handling but to provide more interior width for the passenger compartment, plus an impressive 455-litre luggage boot.

The longer wheelbase design and wide track gives the new A5/S5 a striking muscle car appearance, more like the BMW 6-Series than an Audi. Although the overall length is not dissimilar to the BMW 3-Series Coupe or the Mercedes CLK, the A5/S5s look much larger and have significant road presence due to the extra width and aggressive chunky styling. The new coupes also have the excellent new Audi signature LED daytime running lights as featured on the impressive R8 supercar. Viewed from the front, side or rear the new Audi Coupes are visually exciting and impressive cars.

Access to the rear seats is no more than adequate and legroom for adults and headroom for taller passengers in the rear are not the coupe’s strong points. It is certainly in the mould of a grand-tourer but only the front seat passengers will enjoy a long journey.

Of course the interior layout and equipment is comprehensive with well positioned controls, impeccable workmanship and quality. The A5’s standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a 6-speed manual transmission, multi-function sports steering wheel, the Audi Concert sound system with 10 speakers and a driver’s colour information system, climate control, electric front windows and heated and adjustable door mirrors, rear parking sensors, electronic differential and traction control, electronic stability programme, leather upholstery, micrometal platinum trim inlays, split folding rear seats and Xenon headlights with automatic adjustment. A £950 Sports option includes 18-inch wheels and a lowered sports suspension.

In addition to its magnificent 4.2-litre V8 engine the S5 has in addition 19-inch wheels, sports suspension, enhanced braking, sports seats, sporty instrument dials, aluminium scuff plates, carbon trim inlays, aluminium effect door mirrors and an ‘S’ body styling package.

Once the A5 range is complete there will be a model virtually for every customer wanting a premium mid-sized coupe with potentially attractive taxation levels for business and company car users and priced from £26,000 upwards it is good value.

However for now we have the more expensive models available, both with quattro all wheel drive. It is very unusual for Audi to launch quattro variants first but there is no shortage of customers wanting these high powered ultimate versions. Until we are able to try Audi’s new platform in front wheel drive layout it is difficult to assess its full capabilities. Certainly it is a compliant, good handling car, with copious amounts of cornering grip and the suspension is suitably taught. The quattro system and light steering masks the full potential of this platform and I rather suspect it does not have the agility of the 3-Series Coupe for the enthusiastic driver. As a long legged refined cruiser it works really well.

The revised 3.0-litre V6 TDI turbodiesel unit has the rev limit raised and the power increased to 240PS with maximum torque also increased to 500Nm from 1,500rpm. This unit is superbly quiet, virtually petrol like, and immensely responsive. It is fast as well, limited to 155mph, 0-62mph takes just 5.9 seconds and my road test fuel economy over A and B roads was a very impressive 37mpg.

The new 4.2-litre V8 FSI petrol engine is a version of that used in the brilliant R8. In the S5 quattro this direct injection petrol unit has 354PS of power and 440Nm or torque propelling the car to a top speed of 155mph (limited) and 0-62mph is covered in 5.1 seconds. Fuel economy, not exactly the right word, was just 20mpg using the same test drive route as the 3.0-litre V6 diesel. A great engine with great performance and a beautiful V8 burbling exhaust note. This model is for those well off owners who want a premium driving experience. For more practical drivers the diesel makes better sense and once the smaller engines are available they will be even more sensible, but a lot less rewarding and fun.

Another great new Audi, but not quite perfect.

MILESTONES. (Best initial selling model). Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro Sport. Price: £34,380. Engine/transmission: 3.0-litre, V6 turbodiesel, 240PS, 500Nm of torque from 1,500rpm, six-speed manual transmission, quattro all wheel drive. Performance: limited to 155mph 0-62mph 5.9 seconds, 39.2mpg (37mpg actual), CO2 191g/km, Band F £205.

For: Classy image, impeccable build quality, muscular styling, refined engines, relatively good value for money, predicted best in class residual values, more grand tourer than sports coupe.

Against: Efficient driving performance rather than sporting, limited rear seat access, head and legroom for a premium four-seat coupe.

Miles Better News agency

www.audi.co.uk

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