Playing it cool

Even-handed and with a slick design: the new Audi A5 goes on a cruise with Adrian Ion

June 2009 - From the Print Edition

Coolness in cars is more associated with the convertible or coupe varieties as these classes appeal more to lifestyle and driving pleasure than to pure practicality.
This is why every manufacturer will give more freedom to its designers as they prepare to build such a model. When the constraints of larger leg room and boot-space disappear, some of the most beautiful vehicles have the liberty to be born.
This is the case of the Audi A5, which represents for its designer Walter da Silva the peak of his prodigious career.
The A5 benefits from the all-new Modular Longitudinal Platform chassis architecture. The main advantage of this is that it allows a longitudinally mounted engine and a more even weight distribution, which results in better handling.
The front end of the A5 is dominated by the massive grille which is the characteristic signature of all Audis today and the headlamps are surrounded by a pair of LED daytime running lights that give a menacing bad-boy look to this coupe.
Inside standard
Well, inside there is nothing less and nothing more than the usual quality and same design that one can find across the entire Audi range. Some might say this is becoming dull and predictable, but also one could argue: why change good ergonomics?
The grey and black colours which are found in most models work best with the aluminium finish on the dash and door trims. The dashboard is dominated by Audi’s MMI interface and numerous buttons that give a crowded sensation specially if a driver is used to BMW’s simplicity. Personally I like the multitude of buttons, especially in the night when their red lights create a beautiful neon landscape. The radio control is in the centre and the knob helps to move stations on the LCD screen, but this is not the most user-friendly gadget possible.
The space for the back seats is more than decent. Unless a driver is giving a lift to the Harlem Globetrotters, one can accommodate two in the back and give them space in the boot for the luggage, because Audi offers 60/40 split-seats that can fold flat.
Taking control
This test drive car came fitted with the 3.0 litre diesel engine and 6 speed manual transmission. This model also features as standard the Quattro 4x4 traction system.
The diesel engine suits the coupe well, even if the concept of putting a diesel in a sports car is still considered blasphemy by some purists. However the performance speaks for itself and the fuel economy is excellent for this engine size.
The six-speed transmission that came in the tested car offers good feedback for the driver and involves him in controlling the car better than the automatic option. But we live in modern times and I would swap the manual for the tiptronic automatic transmission anytime. Audi did put a little helper in for the manual transmission for those who still have to learn the secrets of changing gears at optimum revs. A shift indicator tells a driver when to up shift and downshift and which gear to move into.
As a cruiser, the A5 undertakes this role superbly and quietly with almost no wind noise. Driving this car in Bucharest traffic was easy enough, even if the visibility at the rear is limited. The proximity sensors are a must, especially in the back. However this is not a small car and sometimes parking in tight spaces can be challenging.
The test drive car was provided by local importer Porsche Romania. ■

Vital statistics: Audi A5
■ Coupe with four seats
■ Engine choices:
Petrol: 1.8 TFSI with 170 Hp, 2.0 TFSI with 211 Hp and 3.2 FSI with 265 Hp
Diesel: 2.7 TDI with 190 Hp and 3.0 TDI with 240 Hp
■ Available transmissions: manual with six gears, multitronic and tiptronic automatic
■ Size in millimetres: length 4625 width 1854 height 1372
■ Price: starting from 30,603 Euro plus VAT for the 2.0 TFSI manual and going up to 42,977 Euro plus VAT for the 3.0 TDI quattro fitted with tiptronic transmission.