Test Drive Audi A5 since 2007 coupe

Forty years later

Fashion for four-door coupe is gaining momentum, combine the practicality of the sedan and the stylish coupe is trying to many, and Audi is no exception. The new model is a four-door coupe A5 Sportback - will appear in the cabins of dealers in September. According to the developers, the design of the 1969 model Audi 100 Coupe S.
Some common body lines are really guessed. Especially when looking to the profile. Perhaps the similarity on this ends, which, however, does not detract from the advantages of the new model. To strengthen the similarity with the coupe, the developers abandoned the door frames. In the aggregate with a reduced bodie height of A5, it looks really dynamic. The new model received a rich set of engines: three diesel and three gasoline, and by the middle of 2010, three more petrol aggregates will be added.
 
The power of diesel engines varies from 170 hp. 2-liter up to 240 hp A 3-liter motor. Gasoline provide power from 180 hp 2-liter up to 265 hp In 3,2-liter. Only the most modest diesel engine will be available in Russia - a 2-liter capacity of 170 hp. But next year, two more engines will be added to him - both petrol. This is the weakest in the line with a capacity of 160 hp. and top modification with a capacity of 333 hp
Both the gasoline versions and the most powerful diesel received the branded QUATTRO actuator system. At the time of writing, their prices in Russia have not yet been known. For a reference point, you can use the cost of basic configuration with a 180-strong engine in? Germany - 33,650 euros. In 2010, the most affordable A5 with a 160-strong heart will appear.
Italy was chosen to dating journalists with the new A5. Uncomplicated serpentines are not too far from Siena alternate with picturesque plains. Upon arrival at Florence Airport, we were given the keys from several tens of A5 in different configurations. As usual, the most powerful versions did not have enough for everyone, so the colleague and I chose a car by the residual principle, that is, in color. As a result, we got a silver 170-strong diesel sportback with a manual box. It is such a car that will be shipped to Russia. And the first impression - I can't sit at the wheel: the habit of seeing the hood in front of it does not allow you to feel the charms of the half-sized coupe. Rough manual seats adjustments also do not contribute to the selection of a convenient position. Looking ahead, I will say that this problem pursued me on all versions with manual adjustments, the back began to fly, while cars with electric drives of the seats allowed to settle for counting seconds. And what about the luggage department? Its volume is 480 l, and with folded rear seats - all 980! Yes, an unusual coupe.
The interior is quite classic for Audi, the devices are read perfectly, and the materials used although they do not apply for luxury, but very good, nothing else will screuit anywhere. I didn't like the navigation system only. The lack of touch screen seriously complicates the addictive to it, the control occurs with the buttons and the joystick on the central console before the checkpoint. Yes, and the system itself has repeatedly started led by circles; In addition, unlike, for example, from Garmin-systems a warning of maneuvers is often too late.
The road to the hotel on the highway allowed to evaluate acoustic comfort: at speeds up to 160 km / h, you can talk in a low voice. You quickly get used to an overlooking steering wheel - after all, this is a coupe, even four-door. To tell the truth, I could not get rid of the feeling that I sit in the sedan throughout the trip. Of course, from 170 hp It is not necessary to expect sharp sensations, but it was pleased with economics: in a mixed cycle, the on-board computer showed 6.5 liters of diesel fuel. Moreover, in my opinion, this figure can still be reduced.
The next day is entirely given to ride and photo shoot. And here it turned out that: since the Test Drive area is agricultural, a huge number of minor roads are soil. It seems that these are ideal graders, about which the inhabitants of our Karelia can only dream. But it was worth it to move on one of these very picturesque tracks, as, having driven 30 m, I was forced to shively with the reverse move to the saving asphalt ... Clearance at the car is so modest, that even when moving along the asphalt of the Moscow region, problems may arise. Perhaps in versions for Russia it will be taken into account. So far, German engineers reported that more stringent suspensions will be provided for third-world countries.
I will not hide that the most pleasant sensations left after an A5 Sportback with a 3-liter diesel engine. This powerful - 240 horses - the V6 engine has a torque of 500 nm, issued at 1500 rpm! At the same time, overclocking until hundreds occupies only 6.1 s. The average claimed consumption is 6.6 l / 100 km. Unfortunately, Russian buyers will not be able to assess the advantages of this magnificent car, since it will not be supplied to our country. But the car with the upper gasoline engine - 3,2-liter six capacity of 265 hp - pleased less, mainly due to a more modest torque. On mountain serpentines, this difference is felt. By the way, on the dynamics of the gasoline machine is also noticeably inferior to the diesel version - 6.6 ° C to 100 km / h.
Since then it came to the mountain roads, it is worth noting excellent handling and very modest body rolls in turns. As a result, you can drive through mountain serpents all day and get out of the car as vigorous as in the morning. The suspension on the Audi A5 Sportback is hard, although not so much to tiring on high-quality coatings.
Somehow, unnoticed, the only test day approached the end. And the next morning, already sitting in the plane, I tried to sum up and form the impression of this unusual se ... Sorry, I wanted to say the coupe. Yes, yes, as you already understood, I was never able to get rid of the thought that it was not a sedan.

Text: Alexander Davidyuk
Photo: Alexander Davidyuk, Audi
 
 
 

A source: "Autopilot"