AUDI is launching a five-door coupe-hatchback – the A5 Sportback.
The Audi A5 Sportback joins the A5 Coupe and A5 Convertible. I’ve got some of the details of the new car and the range. Although I only have a picture of the concept, which was shown earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show. But I think it gives a pretty good indication of what we can expect from the newcomer.
And the new Audi A5 Sportback is certainly an interesting development. German premium manufacturers are turning their attention to hatchbacks as a way of combining sporty good looks with a degree of practicality – in a body style that’s not an estate.
Do you remember the Saab 9000? An upmarket hatchback launched in 1984 – which was wonderfully fast, big and good looking. And for ages, all Saab wanted was a premium saloon – which they eventually received in the form of the 9000 CD saloon. But I bet a hatch isn’t on the agenda for when the new 9-5 launches later this year – and I suspect they wish it was.
Anyway, back to the future…BMW will be launching its version of an upmarket hatch, the 5 Series Gran Turismo, later in the year. To my eye, the Audi looks far more handsome, and the Gran Turismo a little awkward and clumsy. Although, we’ve not seen the finished article from Audi yet to be fair.
BMW describes its Gran Turismo as “a car which combines an understated coupé-like silhouette to the luxurious interior of a BMW 7 Series, while at the same time giving the functionality of a BMW 5 Series Touring or X5.”
And Audi describes the A5 Sportback as “emotional and elegant as a coupe, as comfortable as a saloon, and as practical as an Avant.”
So both Audi and BMW are heading in the same direction.
The A5 Sportback is a four-seater, but with virtually the same luggage capacity as an A4 Avant estate. It features Audi’s latest fuel-saving engine tech – such as Audi valvelift (more power, more torque, lower fuel consumption) and start-stop – along with anti-skid control ESP with electronic differential lock on the front axle that provides improved steering response and less tug at the wheels under power. I’ve tried it on the A5 Cabriolet and it does make a difference.
And as for prices? The Audi A5 Sportback will cost as follows:
2.0 TFSI quattro SE (211PS) 7-speed S tronic £30,325
3.2 FSI SE (265PS) 8-speed multitronic £33,910
2.0 TDI SE (170PS) 6-speed manual £27,140
3.0 TDI SE (240PS) 7-speed S tronic £34,020
And what of the BMW Gran Turismo? This is aimed rather more upmarket as a cross between a limousine (7 Series) and a hatchback/crossover (the X5). The key model with be the 43.5mpg six-cylinder 530d diesel model. There are two turbo-petrol models: the 306hp BMW 535i; and the 407hp twin-turbo V 8BMW 550i GT.
BMW hasn’t announced its pricing structure yet for the Gran Turismo, but pricing is expected to be around £40,000 for the BMW 530d SE GT when it goes on sale October – the same time as the A5 Sportback.
Audi A5 range expands with first details of Sportback
