Revolutionizing its mid-size class in 2007 with the creation of the bespoke A5, German carmaker Audi has been enchanting fans ever since. Considered as the preferred vehicle of choice for both sports and leisure drivers, the launch of the new second generation of the A5 marks a fresh, honed look and high tech capabilities. When we were asked to test-drive the A5, renowned for its athletic, sporty elegance, we jumped at the opportunity and immediately jetted off to the city to take this beauty out for a spin! From the Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre in Shuwaikh to the luxurious Al-Hamra Tower, the A5 Coupé stunned and impressed.
The new generation of the A5 is athletic, sporty and elegant. Under the skin the A5 impresses with an all-new chassis, powerful engines, and innovative infotainment features and driver assistance systems. We also learned that the new model comes with a four-cylinder 190 hp engine for the Audi A5 Coupé 40 TFSI and with a six-cylinder engine 354 hp for the Audi S5 Coupé.
True to its DNA, we experienced the sporty and elegant character of the new version in every aspect of our ride. Decked out to the max, we fell in love with the stunning little details that make the A5 remarkably stand out from the crowd. The best example is the wave-shaped shoulder line that characterized the previous model. The precisely sweeping line with pronounced bulges over the wheel arches emphasizes all four wheels – a cue to the quattro all-wheel drive that effortlessly makes you feel that you’re gliding on the open road. Our tour around the city did not go unnoticed; people simply stopped to admire the pristine, pearly white sleek exterior of the car. Given that the sun had just risen, beautifully reflecting its rays on the spectacular Audi.
The perfectly balanced proportions with a long engine hood, the stretched wheelbase and short overhangs underscore the sportiness of the new A5 Coupé. The sculpted Singleframe grille is significantly flatter and wider than in the previous model. The LED rear lights and LED headlights with dynamic turn signals make high-end technology visible even after dark.
The new Audi A5 Coupé is available in Kuwait with the 40 TFSI 190HP engine. Compared with the previous model, it offers up to 17 percent more performance while consuming as much as 22 percent less fuel. The engine combines high efficiency with sporty power development and smooth running.
Drivetrain
The new Audi A5 Coupé comes with a drivetrain solution tailor-made for each engine variant. The seven-speed S tronic is used with the four-cylinder engines in the A5. The eight-speed tiptronic is reserved for the S5 V6 engine that comes standard with quattro all-wheel drive. Audi also offers the optional rear-axle sport differential for even more dynamic driving and precision.
Chassis
The all-new chassis is simply one of the many strengths exhibited by the Audi A5 Coupé. It offers the driver optimal comfort combined with a high degree of agility. The A5 handles long trips with so much ease, even if you’re driving all out to the Chalets in Bnaider. To make your trip more comfortable, Audi utilizes a suspension with damper control as an option. This is integrated into the dynamic handling system known as Audi drive select, which enables the driver to modify the basic characteristic in multiple steps. The electromechanical power steering is also a new development from Audi. It adapts according to the vehicle’s current speed and provides highly precise road feedback. Optionally available is the dynamic steering, which varies its gear ratio depending on the speed and steering angle.
Body
The Audi A5 Coupé is significantly more efficient than its predecessor. This is due in large part to a reduction in weight as well as sophisticated aerodynamics, and we immediately noticed that once we took the car out on the open road. Because the engineers were able to trim the curb weight by as much as 60 kilograms, the body is the lightest in the competitive field thanks to an intelligent mix of materials and lightweight design. With a drag coefficient of 0.25, the A5 Coupé is also the segment leader with respect to aerodynamics.
Interior
The interior benefits from the increased dimensions and longer wheelbase. Space for driver and passengers is more generous. The horizontal architecture of the instrument panel and the continuous air vent strip create a wide sense of space. As is typical for Audi, interior build quality is uncompromisingly high. High-quality materials in a wide range of colors provide for a particularly pleasant ambiance and underscore the premium character of the mid-sized model. Optional ambient lighting highlights the interior with a choice of 30 adjustable shades. The new A5 Coupé also redefines the class benchmark for aeroacoustics. The acoustic comfort is almost that of a luxury class model.
Display and controls and Infotainment
The A5 Coupé is now available for the first time with the optional Audi virtual cockpit, a 12.3-inch TFT display with a resolution of 1,440 x 540 pixels. Together with the MMI navigation plus including 8.3-inch monitor on the center console, it forms the central information unit. The focal point of the MMI terminal is the round rotary pushbutton. Its surface is home to the touch-sensitive touchpad. The touchpad is used to input characters and for multi-finger gestures, such as allowing the driver to zoom in on the map, or change controls seamlessly. The whole MMI control logic is similar to that of a smartphone, including the intelligent free text search function. The new, more natural voice control system can recognize input made using everyday language, so you’re never distracted from enjoying your drive!
The optional MMI navigation plus will include the Audi smartphone interface. Apple Car Play will bring the familiar smartphone environment to the car, if desired. For discerning hi-fi fans, the Bang & Olufsen sound system with its innovative 3D sound is available as an option. We plugged in our music, and simply let the terrific sound system do its thing!
Driver assistance systems
An intelligent combination of different technologies enhances the safety, comfort and efficiency of the new Audi A5 Coupé. At the same time, Audi is also taking the next step toward piloted driving. The broad choice of innovative driver assistance systems sets standards in the segment. Compared with the previous model, nearly all of the systems are either completely new or have been extensively updated.
Audi active lane assist helps keep the car on track in the driving lane. New and important safety features include the park assist, cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, collision avoidance assist and turn assist as well as the Audi pre sense systems.
Compared with the previous model, the list of standard equipment is even more generous. Among the features included are LED headlights and LED rear lights, LED interior lights, the Audi MMI radio plus with 7-inch MMI color display, Bluetooth and USB charging function, the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel (including shift paddles), height-adjustable belt feeds and the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.
New trim lines provide numerous customization opportunities, for both the interior and the exterior. Besides the base model, there are also the sport and design lines. The S line sport package and the Audi design selection are available for sophisticated customization, particularly for the interior. Audi offers the S line exterior package for a particularly dynamic appearance.
The new Audi A5 and S5 Coupé are now available at the Audi Kuwait showroom represented by Fouad Alghanim & Sons Automotive Company located in Shuwaikh Industrial Area, Street Nr 11, Block Nr 11, Building Nr 56A. For more information please visit their website: www.audi-kuwait.com, or call 1811 118.
Photography by Yousef Al Nasser, @Yousefcam on Instagram.
