High 5’s for the new A5 Sportback
This week, Audi flew TFLcar’s Roman Mica out to Seattle to get into the 2nd-generation Audi A5 Sportback. The first gen went on sale in Europe, and us North Americans are finally seeing it in its next iteration. Roman’s summary review: He likes it, he really, really likes it.
Among the features that make his heart flutter: the turbocharged 4-cylinder that pumps out 252 hp and 273 lb-ft. of torque, a 7-speed dual clutch transmission connected to Quattro AWD, 27 EPA mpg combined, and a respectable 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds. There’s also Audi’s Google Maps nav app.
The A5 sits on an A4 sedan‘s platform and power plant, shares the A5 character lines and the A7’s sexy rear end.
But what really turns Roman on is the A5 Sportback’s utility. The rear trunk is really a hatchback that opens wide to swallow bikes, golf bags, small-sized in-laws you don’t really like, and all the c**p you can’t help but buy at Costco. The rear seats, despite the dramatic, sloping roof line, even have enough headroom for Roman’s 6’2″ frame.
So the A5 is the sedan/coupé that’s almost sort of a wagon. We get why the Europeans love it, but will it play in the States? Audi USA believes it will. Their reasoning: The bigger and more expensive A7 was a hit with American buyers when it came out. The A5 Sportsback is the A7 shrunk down and with a starting price of around $42,000.
Check out Roman’s video below and judge for yourself.
