Dubai - "The Audi A5 is the most beautiful car I have ever designed." German premium car manufacturer Audi now premieres former Audi Head Designer Walter de'Silva's vision of the perfect coupe - the new Audi A5 - in the UAE. With its first coupe since 1996 Audi enters the highly emotionally charged coupe segment with a truly fascinating new model.
The Audi A5, now launched in Dubai and set to be unveiled in Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace on the 16th of June, has been crafted into a modern grand tourer, based on a classic vehicle concept but given an excitingly new interpretation by Audi. Its striking appearance is achieved through of the elegant yet sporty exterior lines which already hint at what lies beneath in terms of excellent dynamics. Thanks to its highly efficient 3.2 liter engine with an ample 265 bhp and 330 nm torque, quattro four wheel drive and six-speed tiptronic gearbox, the four-seater two-door coupe revives even familiar roads with agility and sportiness.
Generous proportions, comfortable seats, finest-grade leather as well as technical innovations like the Bang & Olufsen sound system and the Audi drive select - as a comfortable long-distance tourer the Audi A5 coupe comes with the quality and luxury-class equipment features associated with the Audi name, naturally.
The new Audi A5 is available as of now and starts from USD 57,200.
Concept & Design
The new Audi A5 makes design statement of sportiness and elegance with its sporty silhouette, its precisely drawn lines powerful surfaces, its expressive front face and equally distinctive tail. The broad, low body measures in at 4.63 meters in length; its overall proportions are defined by the short front overhang and elongated transition from the C pillars to the short tail panel. The large air inlets and headlights reflect the precision and modern technology of Audi while the LED daytime running lights underscore the sporty look of the A5. The mighty trapezoidal C pillar emphasize the car's sporty appeal and the marked outline of the wheel arches with their curving contours drawn into the wide shoulder line complete the unique look of sculptured dynamics.
Elegance, ergonomics and functionality dominate the interior of the A5, as do the exclusive materials used and the top-of-the-line craftsmanship that is a trademark of Audi. The entire cockpit architecture is clearly focused on the driver. The fourseater offers the generous space of a full-fledged touring car even in the backseat, and its 455 liters of trunk space means there is always room for those few extra shopping bags.
Body & Chassis
The Audi A5 puts its dynamic personality on display with a wide track, large wheels and short overhangs, which also form the basis for an incomparable driving feel. The front-axle differential is mounted in front of the clutch creating not only the wider wheelbase of 2.75 meters and the short front overhang but also a perfectly balanced axle load distribution - a critical building block for the superior handling characteristics of the Audi A5. The completely new design of the running gear and suspension ensure precise steering response, outstanding directional stability and superb agility, while also offering first-class ride comfort. The extremely high bodyshell rigidity provides the basis both for the car's crisp handling and its agreeable feeling of solidness and comfort.
The Audi drive select system comes as a standard on the Audi A5 and can be combined with the optional dynamic steering and/or damping control. Audi drive select allows drivers to chose between three operating modes--"comfort," "auto" and "dynamic" - which set engine, automatic transmission and steering system characteristics to drivers' personal preferences.
Engine & Drivetrain
A sporty coupe needs a powerful and highly efficient engine. The top-of-the-line gasoline engine in the Audi A5 is an extensively redesigned 3.2-liter FSI fitted with the innovative Audi valvelift system (AVS), which increases power while decreasing fuel consumption. Drivers of the Audi A5 3.2 FSI have 195 kW (265 hp) at their disposal, with an outstanding 330 Nm of torque providing powerful acceleration within a broad range of engine speeds between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm. Complementing this serious fun factor is the impressive fuel efficiency rating of 9.3 liters/100 km. The 3.2 FSI comes with a tiptronic transmission and quattro four-wheel drive with a 40:60 variable torque split.
Equipment
The Audi A5 is setting the pace with its extensive line of standard equipment, which includes 18-inch alloy wheels, Xenon plus headlights and LED daytime running lights. In the interior the new Audi A5 features electric Milano leather seats with lumbar support in front, the multifunction sport steering wheel with shift paddles and the driver information system with color display, the Audi parking system plus as well as the Audi drive select. The standard symphony audio system includes a CD changer, MMI operating logic, a separate display and ten speakers. The deluxe climate control, which divides the interior into three separate temperature zones, the new comfort key, which receives and stores vehicle data for servicing, and the electromechanical parking brake are also among the items included in the standard package.
The options offer even more high-tech features from the luxury class. The highlight among the infotainment features is the Bang & Olufsen sound the system with 14 surround-sound speakers and 505 watts of music output. The Multi Media Interface with TV reception and navigation system is rounded off by the Bluetooth car phone and an intelligent interface called AMI (Audi Music Interface) which allows an iPod to be navigated directly through the MMI screen. The Audi parking system advanced uses a rearview camera to display the space behind the car. Upon request Audi can also equip the coupe with high-tech adaptive cruise control and Audi side assist, which regulate the distance to the car in front and help the driver when it comes to changing lanes. Further optional features are the adaptive light system, the extra-large panoramic sunroof and advanced key with keyless entry function.
-Ends-
About Audi
AUDI AG sold a total of 964,151 cars in 2007 and thus achieved its twelfth consecutive record year. With revenue of €33,617 million and profit before tax of €2,915 million, the company attained its best figures ever. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Györ (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). At the end of 2007, production of the Audi A6 started in Aurangabad, India. The company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG's wholly owned subsidiaries include Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy, and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi employs about 54,000 people worldwide, including 45,000 in Germany. The brand with the four rings invests more than € 2 billion each year in order to sustain the company's technological lead embodied in its "Vorsprung durch Technik" slogan. Audi plans to nearly double the number of models in its portfolio by 2015, from the 25 currently on offer to 40.
AUDI AG's commitment to the region was confirmed through the foundation of its fully owned subsidiary in 2005: Audi Middle East. Sales in the Middle East rose by 38.2 percent to 6,380 cars in 2007 (2006: 4,616). The current Middle East model range comprises the A3, A3 Sportback, A4 Saloon and Cabriolet, A6 and S6, TT Coupe and Roadster, the A8, S8, the Q7 and the R8.
© Press Release 2008
