2017 Audi A5 and S5 coupes revealed

Second-generation Audi A5 appears in Germany ahead of 2017 Australian arrival, sporty S5 to follow

Audi has previewed its second-generation A5 in Ingolstadt, almost a decade after the four-ringed brand launched its first answer to the BMW 4 Series, Mercedes C-Coupe and Lexus RC.

Following close on the heels of the launch of the closely related A4 and S4 sedans, Audi has moved the A5/S5 away from the swooping, free-flowing form of the 2007 car.

A much more angular, bold and sharp-edged design echoes not only the more corporate visage of the recently released A4 range, but also brings to mind the nose of the recently redone TT sports car.

The rear view mirrors have moved to the doors, while the integrated rear lip spoiler remains.

While a manual gearbox will be offered in Europe, it's likely to be offered locally as a special-order-only item.

The A5 is built on a stretched version of the Volkswagen Group's MLB chassis, netting weight reductions across the model range of up to 60kg at the kerb, according to Audi, despite 50mm being added to its length.

Five engines – two turbocharged petrols and three turbodiesels – were previewed at the German launch, though specs for Australian-delivered cars aren't likely to emerge until later this year.

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Power figures for the European-spec cars range from 140kW for the entry-level 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, through to 210kW from the more highly tuned of two 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesels.

The local A5 range is likely to mirror that of the new A4, which currently includes 140kW and 185kW petrol engine front- and all-wheel-drive cars, along with a 140kW 2.0-litre diesel.

Fuel economy improvements of up to 22 per cent and power increases of up to 17 per cent have been touted across the board.

On the inside, the A5 mirrors the improvements previewed in the A4.

Entry-level A5s will be driven through the front wheels, while higher spec cars will be offered in quattro all-wheel-drive. Double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension will carry over from the A4.

While a manual gearbox will be offered in Europe, it's likely to be offered locally as a special-order-only item, with a seven-speed S Tronic DSG transmission the mainstay for Aussies.

On the inside, the A5 mirrors the improvements previewed in the A4, based around Audi's new 12.3-inch virtual cockpit-style digital dash and 8.3-inch multimedia screen mounted atop the centre console.

Items like Apple Car Play and a WiFi hotspot will be on the options list, while a full suite of active and passive safety measures will also be on the spec sheet of the A5.

Like the current A5, the new one is a strictly four-seat proposition. Audi claims an extra 10 litres of boot space over the current rig (taking it to 465 litres), along with a new 40/20/40 split/fold rear seat set-up.

The range-topping S5, meanwhile, will use a turbocharged six-pot petrol powerplant to pump out 260kW, which is up 15kW on the current car. It'll rattle out 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.7 seconds, while still returning an economy figure of 7.3 litres per 100km.

It will also sport its own exterior and interior treatment to set it apart from the stock A5.

The A5 is expected to hit Australian showrooms halfway through 2017.

Is Audi right to make the A5 look more similar to the A4? Tell us what you think in the comments below.