THE APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_audia5coupe_2017

By Jonathan Crouch

Audi's second generation A5 Coupe is in this improved form even more intelligent and sophisticated. Jonathan Crouch checks it out.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 74

On paper, the MK2 model Audi A5 Coupe is the market's most complete compact executive sporting two-door model. Performance statistics, running costs, residual values, practicality - all of these things have been ruthlessly checked to improve upon standards set by rivals from Mercedes and BMW. It's a clinical approach. And not surprisingly, it's produced a car that's very difficult to fault. Especially in this revised form with its smarter cabin and mild hybrid tech.

Backgroundword count: 149

Efficiency. It's a very Germanic trait. And of all the Teutonic automotive brands, Audi epitomises it best. Not only in its compact hatches and business-bound saloons which have to be affordable to run, but also in sportier, more impulse-purchase models. The second generation A5 Coupe we're looking at here claims to be a shockingly efficient way to have an awful lot of driving enjoyment. Especially in this facelifted form, which introduces mild hybrid technology to the range. As usual, this car is based on the platform of Audi's A4 saloon, a rather sophisticated platform as it happens, the MLB Evo underpinnings able to trim quite a lot off the overall kerb weight. The suspension set-up is firmer than you get in an A4, which aims to make this A5 feel sportier and better able to face down its arch-rivals, coupe versions of BMW's 4 Series and the Mercedes C-Class.

Driving Experienceword count: 224

You'd think, when it came to driving dynamics, that this A5 Coupe would be starting out with a disadvantage over its BMW 4 Series Coupe arch-rival. Its front-driven layout will, after all, never reward an enthusiast in quite the same way as a rear-driven BMW. But in originally developing this car, Audi was convinced that it could be made to feel almost as good. To prove the point, three different suspension systems are being offered, two of them passive and one featuring adaptive damping. Whatever your choice, you'll find the set-up firmer than it would be in an equivalent A4 saloon. Under the bonnet, a range of 2.0-litre TFSI petrol and TDI diesel MHEV engines has a familiar look. Petrol people get either a front-driven 204PS 40 TFSI or a 245PS quattro 45 TFSI. Both are quick; even the 40 TFSI manages 62mph in just 7.3s en route to 130mph. The 45 TFSI improves that to 5.8s and 155mph. Diesel drivers choose between a front-driven 163PS 35 TDI. Or a quattro 190PS 40 TDI variant. The 40 TDI makes 62mph in 7.4s en route to 130mph. The S5 TDI six cylinder model, now diesel-engined and offering 347PS, uses a 48-volt MHEV electrical system, an 8-speed tiptronic auto and of course have quattro 4WD. The top RS 5 Coupe uses a 450PS 2.9-litre petrol V6.

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