Audi A5 News

Huge recall program set to start as soon as this month, to be completed by December 2016.

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

The VW diesel scandal has now reached Australian showrooms, with 10 models now banned from sale effectively immediately.

There's always a great deal of interest any time one of the cars used in a 007 movie is offered for sale. And you can probably multiply that by 59 times for the collection of Bond vehicles owned by US real estate mogul Michael Dezer.Dezer is known for  development on a grand scale: nearly the entire suburb of Chelsea in NewYork, and several massive projects in Florida including partnerships with Donald Trump for the 900 million Trump Towers, $600 million Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences and the $166 million Trump International Hotel and Tower.And Florida is also where he garages his collection of 1800 vehicles, including the 59 genuine Bond ones he's selling, each of which has appeared in one of the movies.The catch is that Dezer insists they be bought as one lot, for US$33 million ($37 million). But the buyer will have a fairly comprehensive sample across the Bond series.Among the 59 are a Fairey Huntress boat used in 1963's From Russia With Love and an Audi A5 and Land Rover Defender used in the most recent film, Skyfall, for the kickstarter car chase scenes.From films in between, there are a brace of Aston Martin DB5 coupes, one of which helmed by Pierce Brosnan for Goldeneye -- and the Russian T55 tank from the film. The famed Lotus Esprit S1 that morphed into a submarine in The Spy Who Loved Me is also one of star vehicles, as are the armoured and armed BMW 750iL from Tomorrow Never Dies, and the Jaguar XKR from Die Another Day.There are also more everyday wheels, including the Citroen 2CV from For Your Eyes Only, and a replica of the AMC Hornet from The Man With The Golden Gun. The collection has been on display at the Dezer Musuem in Miami, and it's likely the buyer will do something similar once the deal is done.And while it will make a little space in the Dezer garage, there are still plenty of interesting cars staying there, including the 1948 Ford from Grease,  the 1981 DeLorean from Back to the Future, the Ghostbusters 1959 Cadillac, an original Batmobile, the Lamborghini Social Experiment Project AU 79, and many, many more.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Audi has created a new limited edition version of its A5 Coupe, celebrating its freshly-minted 2013 DTM championship crown.Audi Sport Team Phoenix driver Mike Rockenfeller took out the title in September with one round to go, driving a –you guessed it—Audi A5-based racer.Titled the ‘A5 DTM Champion’, the limited model is available with either 2.0-litre or 3.0-litre TDI or TFSI engines (not S5 or RS5), with colours limited to Misano red, Daytona grey, and Glacier white.The A5 DTM Champion is signified by DTM badges on the doors, sills, guards and side skirts, a fixed rear wing, aluminium-trimmed wing mirrors, and RS5-style 20 inch alloys.Just 300 examples of the A5 DTM Champion will be built, which probably puts Australia off the distribution list.The A5 DTM Champion edition follows BMW’s M3 Coupe ‘DTM Champion Edition’, which commemorated Canadian driver Bruno Spengler’s 2012 DTM championship win.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

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  

The changes - the first updates since the A5 models began arriving in 2007 - add two new engines, a
 lower entry price and improved fuel economy. The model range has grown to 21.
New for 2012 is the 1.8 TFSI which at $66,990, comes in at $2000 less than the previous entry model the 2.0 TFSI. Also new is the 2.0 TDI diesel version at $68,700 which undercuts the 3.0-litre TDI quattro by $27,000. Both four cylinder engines are front-drive only and coupled to a constantly variable transmission. Gone from the coupe is the 4.2-litre V8 and in its place comes the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 introduced in the Sportback in 2010.
 Audi claims fuel economy improvements of up to 18 per cent using the smaller engines and fuel savings tricks such as electric power steering. Combined fuel use in the 1.8 TFSI is quoted at 5.8l/100km and the 2.0 TDI at 4.7l/100km.
 Cosmetic changes include wedged shaped headlights, a new steering wheel and a revised instrument cluster and centre console. The Weekly Times

But it is, and that means an upcoming facelift that picks up highlights from the latest A6 nose, grille, lights and LED tail lamps for sales toward the end of this year.

All up there are now 26 various Audi models on Australian roads.  The newest variant is a potent supercharged S5 version of the A5 Sportback quattro.  Not only does it get a supercharged V6 but the versatility of a liftback turns the versatile four-door into road rocket with a roomy rear. Anyone familiar with the venerable Saab 900 Combi will appreciate the A5 Sportback. However, Saab never had a meaty supercharged 3.0-litre V6 under the bonnet. Like the rest of the Sportback range, the S5 gets a coupe-like silhouette and four frameless doors.  LED headlights help it stand out on the road, along with the usual S markings like the alloy exterior mirrors and discrete S5 badging. The potent 3.0 TFSI engine packs 245kW/440Nm and is mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox.  It will hit 100km/h in 5.4 seconds and has an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h. The V6 consumes 9.4 litres per 100 km and emits 219g/km of CO2.  Not surprisingly, Audi Australia managing director, Uwe Hagen, reckons the S5 Sportback is a great addition to the range. "It is not only practical enough for daily use, it is also sporty and fun to drive,'' he says.   "We intend to continue to develop our excellent range of products available for the Australian market as we head towards our goal of offering 42 models globally by 2015.'' Hagen says Audi customers are always looking for a benchmark experience "and we intend to fulfil this with emotional, technologically-advanced products''.  The S5 quattro all-wheel drive helps put the power to the ground but drivers can also opt for a sports differential for an even more responsive drive. Tick the sports differential box for $6900 and you also get adaptive dampers and dynamic steering.  Audi expects the S5 Sportback to account for 10 sales a month. At $129,300, the meaty hatch has the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW 5-Series GT in its sights.  Stay tuned for carsGuide's first driving impressions.