A5 for SA – diesel model coming

Audi AG has announced the addition of a 2,7-litre TDI powerplant to its A5 quattro coupé range, but it won’t come to South Africa. Instead, a beefier, 450 N.m 3,0 TDI model will follow the first wave of Walter de’Silva’s “masterpieces” to reach local shores.


When CAR Magazine published a driving impression of the new Audi A5 in its July 2007 issue, it was believed that the über-sexy newcomer would only be represented by the A5 3,2-litre FSI Quattro and range-topping 4,2-litre V8-powered S5 quattro.

BMW SA does not offer a 330d version of its well-received E92 3 Series Coupé range. Therefore, news of the introduction of a 2,7-litre V6 turbodiesel, which produces 400 N.m between 1 400 and 3 250 r/min, to the European Audi A5 lineup caught our attention. Could Audi SA take a gamble on an oil-burning sports coupé?

Yes, it will, but not with the 2,7 TDI… Audi spokesman Rudi Venter told CARtoday.com on Monday that a 3,0 TDI model would be added to the A5 lineup in South Africa, but only after the launch of the 3,2 FSI A5 and S5 in the first quarter of 2008.

The 3,0-litre TDI common-rail turbodiesel powerplant, which already does duty in the A4, A6 and A8, produces peak power of 171 kW and maximum torque of 450 N.m at 1 400 r/min (mated with either a six-speed manual- or Tiptronic transmission).

The A5 was penned by the legendary Walter de’Silva and the Italian-born designer is said to have mused: “(It’s) the most beautiful car I have ever designed… when Italian style meets German perfection, you have something special.”

As for the newcomer’s interior, CAR senior associate editor Mike Monk reported “the nature of the (A5’s) cabin impressively combines both form and function to create a user-friendly environment that is near impossible to fault. South African Oona Scheepers, Audi’s manager of Concept and Design, Colour and Trim - had a huge role to play where this is concerned, no doubt. The spacious cabin eliminates the expected feeling of being confined (usually associated with coupés), because the A5 is so wide”.

The entry-level model’s V6 petrol direct injection engine, which is equipped with the Audi’s Valvelift system, is good for 195 kW and maximum torque of 330 N.m. The Audi A5 3,2 FSI is claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,6 seconds, going on to reach a limited top speed of 250 km/h. The outputs of the S5 are even more impressive, with the 4,2-litre V8 boasting 260 kW at 7 000 r/min and 440 N.m at 3 500 r/min.

A new, lightweight five-link front suspension is used in the A5, with a trapezoidal link set-up at the rear. Full ESP stability control is standard, and the all-disc brakes are controlled by ABS with EBD and BAS. The 3,2 FSI rolls on 17-inch alloys and the S5 18-inchers. The pair’s Quattro all-wheel drive system has a basic 40:60 split front-to-rear drive, and a self-locking centre differential.

Danish premium hi-fi maker Bang and Olufsen have specially developed a sound system for the A5. Judging by award-winning 1 000 W Advanced Sound System offered in the A5’s sibling, the Q7, the installation that B&O have produced for the coupé should be nothing less than audio bliss. You’ll find it on the options list.

The only downside is that we’ll have to wait until next year to see how the A5 fares against what is sure to be considered its archrival, the BMW 3-series Coupé, however.

Click here to view video clips featuring Audi’s A5 and S5.