Audi A5 2016 News

Hot on the heels of the Australian government's mandatory Takata airbag recall, Ford, Audi and Tesla have joined the list of carmakers to detail which of it's models are affected.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued safety recalls for the recently launched Maserati Levante SUV and several Audi models over engine faults.

Two European cars have been slammed by national safety test organisation for having less safety features in their Australian specification than the same model offered in other markets.

Audi and Volkswagen have issued three safety recall notices involving 582,822 vehicles sold exclusively in the United States.

The top end of town has snubbed next week's Paris motor show but the biggest auto event on the European calendar will have plenty of new sheet metal.

The cost of top-down motoring in a Mercedes-Benz is about to get $20,000 cheaper.

Audi has sharpened its A4 and A5 lineup for 2014, with prices dropping by up to $7300 across the sedan, wagon, coupe, hatch, and cabriolet body styles. The previous entry A4 1.8 TFSI petrol manual sedan has been dropped from the range, with the 1.8 TFSI Multitronic auto now forming the kickoff point for the lineup at $55,500.Similarly, the non-quattro 3.0 TDI diesel sedan and Avant wagon models have also been discontinued, and a new $65,800 2.0 TDI diesel quattro sedan variant joins the pre-existing $69,900 Avant model with the same drivetrain. A5 Coupe and Sportback models also gain 2.0 TDI quattro variants, priced equally at $75,700.Petrol 2.0-litre models across all body styles gain a version of the direct and port-injected turbo engine seen in the new Volkswagen Golf GTI, which produces 165kW in Audi guise and an unchanged 350Nm. The change marks a 10kW improvement over previous 2.0-litre quattro models. FEATURESThe entry A4 and A5 1.8 TFSI models gain standard three-zone climate control and a colour Driver Information System (DIS). Buyers of the A4 1.8 TFSI models can choose from two new option packages, including the $2990 Technik package that brings MMI Navigation plus satnav and Parking system plus, which is comprised of front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.Also available for A4 1.8 TFSI models is the $2,200 Comfort package, which brings electric front seat adjustment and heaters, an auto-dimming interior mirror and proximity keys. A4 sedan models can also be optioned with the $1,690 Assistance Package, comprised of adaptive cruise control and Active lane assist.All Quattro models now come with the Parking system plus system as standard, and both petrol and diesel A5 3.0-litre models now come with the sportier S-Line exterior package. "We have made some of the most popular options now standard," Audi Australia’s marketing boss Kevin Goult says.PRICINGA4 Sedan 1.8 TFSI multitronic - 125 kW - $55,500A4 Sedan 2.0 TDI multitronic (special order only) - 130kW - $57,900A4 Sedan 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 130kW - $65,800A4 Sedan 2.0 TFSI quattro manual - 165kW - $63,000 (up $1300)A4 Sedan 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 165kW - $65,800 (up $1300)A4 Sedan 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 180kW - $88,000A4 Sedan 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 200kW - $92,900 (down $500)S4 Sedan 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 245kW - $119,900A4 Avant 1.8 TFSI multitronic - 125 kW - $58,500A4 Avant 2.0 TDI multitronic (special order only) - 130kW - $60,900A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 165kW - $68,800 (up $1300)A4 Allroad 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 130kW - $69,900S4 Avant 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 245kW - $123,400RS 4 Avant 4.2 FSI quattro S tronic - 331kW - $149,400A5 Coupe and Sportback 1.8 TFSI multitronic - 125 kW - $64,200 (down $2700)A5 Coupe and Sportback 2.0 TDI multitronic (special order only) - 130kW - $65,700 (down $3000)A5 Coupe and Sportback 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 130kW - $75,900A5 Coupe and Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro manual - 165kW - $74,000 (down $6900)A5 Coupe and Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 165kW - $75,700 (down $7500)A5 Coupe and Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 180kW - $93,800 (down $2100)A5 Coupe and Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 200kW - $98,400 (down $1900)S5 Coupe and Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 245kW - $135,400A5 Cabriolet 1.8 TFSI multitronic - 125 kW - $75,800 (down $2700)A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI multitronic (special order only) - 130kW - $77,900 (down $3000)A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 165kW - $89,100 (down $7300)A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 180kW - $106,700 (down $2100)A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 200kW - $110,500 (down $1900)S5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 245kW - $146,000

The second generation of Audi’s handsome A5 range is expected to arrive in time for the 2016 model year, which puts its debut date at a major motor show sometime in the second half of 2015. This means the current model still has a few more years of shelf life, though a recent refresh means it still looks contemporary when next to rivals like the BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS C and Mercedes-Benz C Class Coupe. A new report from Automobile reveals some of the details we can expect on the next-generation, 2016 Audi A5, whose development will focus on refinement, lightening measures and vehicle electrification. The new A5 will ride on an updated version of the MLB platform underpinning the current model. The MLB is the Volkswagen Group’s modular platform for mid- to large-size cars and comes primarily with transversely mounted engines. At Audi, it’s used in everything from the A4 right up to the A8 flagship sedan. The updated version of the MLB, the MLB Evo, was first previewed in Audi’s quattro concept from 2010 and benefits from the increased use of lightweight materials. This means that the new A5 could weigh in around 100 kg less than the current model, which has a curb weight of almost 1633 kg. For additional weight saving, a hard-core ‘Ultra’ version with special lightweight components is said to be in the works as well. Current model lines will carry over, with the base model continuing with a 2.0-litre TFSI engine but with output lifted slightly to 165 kilowatts. The S5 will stick with a supercharged 3.0-litre V-6, with its output tuned to around 246 kilowatts, while the successor to the recently launched RS 5 will drop its naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V-8 in favour of Audi’s latest twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre mill. Expect power on this model to reside around 350 kilowatts. A new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is said to be coming, trumping Audi's current S tronic dual-clutch which uses seven forward gears. The biggest change to the A5, however, will be the availability of an electrified version. Audi will probably go with a plug-in hybrid setup, which it previewed in 2011 with its A5 e-tron quattro concept.  This concept used a four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor to drive the front axle and a second electric motor on the rear axle to create a ‘through-the-road’ hybrid all-wheel drive system. Currently, Audi only uses this electric all-wheel drive system in motorsport but the technology will eventually be available in the automaker’s production cars. With the 2016 Audi A5 set to debut in coupe form late in 2015, we should expect to see its convertible variant approximately six months later. Further down the track, a new A5 Sportback will also appear. www.motorauthority.com