Achim Hartmann Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI tested
27.05.2010
Please let nobody claim that with the increasing number of variations on the topic Audi A4 and A udi A5 will eventually lose the product-philosophical foundation. Heraklit, a Greek philosopher from the early days without a license, already suspected the new Sportback. “Everything flows,” he said wisely 2,500 years ago and could only have meant this hatchback.
The Audi A5 Sportback has inherited the wheelbase of the A4, but is wider and longer
Nevertheless: There are still puzzles. And the puzzles get bigger the closer you get and keep an eye on the two main disciplines buyers use to judge a car - namely, beauty and function. From a distance of ten meters, a good distance for assessing the optics, we like the broad trunk with which this A5 stands on the road. The Sportback inherited the long wheelbase of the A4, but is 2.8 centimeters wider, slightly longer and 3.6 centimeters lower than the sedan.
This results in interesting proportions, especially since the roof, which tapers long towards the rear, creates an elegant finish. The question remains: If a buyer is primarily concerned with looks, isn't the A5 Coupé, which its designer Walter de Silva called 'my most beautiful car to date', a touch more extravagant? And if a prospect is more about the function, the hatchback A5 does not always have to compete with the A4 Avant, which is also smart, but is 4.5 centimeters higher than the Sportback, offers five instead of four seats and when folded down Rear seat backrests 1,430 liters of storage space instead of 980 liters?
The Audi A5 Sportback is one of the most important models in the mid-range for Audi
Those are the questions that one stands in front of the test car can ponder for a long time - until suddenly the driver of a 2,000-euro mountain bike rolls into the forest parking lot, gets off, walks around the car once, walks around the car twice, looks under the open tailgate, nods his head and says: “Nice car Hey there. And if necessary, something even fits in. I'll get one of those too. ”The man has to go to Audi marketing departmenthave sent over. 40,000 to 50,000 such types worldwide should buy an A5 Sportback every year. The same number of units is expected from the A5 Coupé and A5 Cabrio (the Audi A5 Cabrio in the individual test) together. This shows that after the A4 Avant and A4 Sedan, the A5 Sportback is the most important model in the mid-range for Audi.
At first glance, the Audi A5 Sportback is mistaken for an A4 sedan
The test shows what buyers get for their money. By the way, money shouldn't be too scarce among customers. The test car's price tag says more than 47,000 euros, and it does not yet include leather furniture. The following is noticeable around the tailgate: First, it is not noticeable when closed. At first glance, the course of the joints ensures that the Sportback with its four doors is mistaken for an A4 sedan. The aha effect only comes when the huge tailgate swings up. Second, it is noticeable: the significantly higher loading sill than the Avant and the annoying high heel in the opening. Third: that everything fits in with the exception of refrigerators. And refrigerators are delivered to the home these days. The rear seat backs are folded down in no time, but the loading area is then not completely flat.
Audi A5 Sportback: The space in the rear is limited
Not everyone is equally well accommodated in the new Audi. The driver and passenger will find no reason to complain. Typically A5, the interior width is very generous, the ergonomics for every body size at a similarly high level as the workmanship. And the two rear passengers? The seating system is built in deep. Anyone who has already had two herniated discs will fear the third when they get in. More annoying, however, is the restricted headroom. A hatchback is not a hatchback, and from a height of 1.85 meters the headliner presses on the scalp and the mind of the passengers. Unpleasant.
Audi A5 Sportback: More like a comfortable offshoot of the Audi mid-range family
This makes driving the Sportback all the more pleasant. Despite the frameless windows - which don't fully retract at the back, which looks very strange - the wind noise is low. Not every manufacturer can do that so well. Others can do better with the rear view. Also interesting: Contrary to what the name Sportback suggests, the new one is more of a comfortable offshoot of the Audi - middle class family. The test car has the series chassis, which is already a bit more comfortable with the A4 /A5 than the adaptive chassis control, which is subject to a surcharge, even in the 'comfort' position. The conventional suspension for the Sportback was made more comfortable thanks to a modified spring and damper ratetrimmed. The higher weight and the longer wheelbase compared to the A5 Coupé also promote good manners. Only transverse joints briefly stimulate the chassis.
The driving dynamics benefit from the new technical layout of the Audi A5 Coupé
The precise, but not excessive, direct steering suits this character, the This is also reflected in the handling: The Sportback always willingly does what you want from it, right up to the high limits - the rest of the time it leaves the driver alone and does not want to be constantly occupied. This is how parents want their children. The driving dynamics benefit from the new technical layout that Audi introduced in the A5 Coupé: the differential and front axle moved further forward. As before, a front-wheel drive Audi pushes over the front wheels and thereby brakes in corners that are approached too quickly. But it does that later, remains neutral longer and serves driving pleasure without overdoing it with sportiness.
Audi A5 Sportback: The test consumption was 7.1 L /100 km
Also thanks to the start-stop system, shift point display and recuperation system, which is the When the battery is charging, the Sportback with the 170 PS TDI has a test consumption of 7.1 L /100 km. 4.8 liters was enough for him on the standard lap, which was driven very economically. The common rail diesel has a weak starting point that is not too annoying. But if the pressure of the turbocharger is fully built up, the TDI goes to work with a zeal that makes you want to use the next one with every throttle, but when it is wet arouses the desire for an all-wheel drive variant with better traction.
The longer you drive the Sportback, the harder it is to remember the many questions this A5 raised at the beginning. Who should buy it? Anyone who would also buy the A4 sedan is an option. Or the Avant. Or the A5 Coupé. So a lot of people.
