It’s a good looking machine that needs to be on point when it comes to ride quality and performance, as both Mercedes-Benz and BMW have extremely impressive cars within this segment. To find out just how good the new A5 is, I packed my bags and flew down to a very dry Western Cape.

The beauty of it

I will admit that when I saw pictures of the new A5 a few months ago, I wasn’t especially blown away. Seeing it in the metal though was a different story all together.

For starters, the front is sharper and more focused, which helps emphasise the new flatter grille. The Matrix LED headlights are also set slightly higher than before. However, it is the power bulges on the bonnet that caught my eye. It is the first Audi to feature this rather pronounced design element and it definitely gives the car a muscular appearance.

When viewed from the side, it is clear that the designers decided to remain true to the original model, but with slight enhancements. For example, the line which runs the length of the car has been made more prominent. The wheel arches are also slightly more flared than before.

At the rear, it looks a lot wider than before and also features newly designed LED taillights. Overall, the A5 looks a lot more mature than the model it replaces, with the same being true of the interior.

Integrated comfort

Precise, clinical, ergonomic and quality are just a few words that can be used to describe the interior. From the moment you get in, it feels upmarket; every button and dial has a tactile feel only Audi can give. Some might say that there is more design than emotion within the cabin. To be honest, it does feel a bit cold, however it is spacious thanks to an increased wheelbase.

The dashboard has the same horizontal design as seen on the new A4, with the continuous air-vent strip creating a sense of space. The climate control unit is also a noteworthy feature. It boasts touch sensitive buttons and the temperature display is a small screen within the adjustment dial.

Another feature which is becoming a must-have is Audi’s impressive (optional) Virtual Cockpit Display. Gone are the old fashioned dials replaced by a high-definition 12.3-inch TFT display, which has a host of customisable options as well as many a menu in which you can change or view all sorts of information about the car, trip or navigation.

Engines and drive

At the launch, I got the opportunity to experience four engine derivatives; two 2.0-litre TFSI, a 2.0-litre TDI and the 3.0-litre TFSI nestled in the S5. Starting the range off, the petrol mill develops 140kW/320Nm and while it might not be the most thrilling option, is does not feel strained or underpowered.

The other 2.0-litre is a 185kW/370Nm unit equipped with Audi’s latest quattro all-wheel drive system. Add-in the quick shifting S-tronic gearbox and you'll pleasantly surprised by this car’s eagerness to get moving. It also felt better planted through the corners at speed. For those wanting a diesel, there is a 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre TDI version available with front-wheel drive or quattro.

The range topper for now though is the S5, a car which had me slightly confused. It looks sporty, aggressive and it sounds quite mean yet feels like the rest of the range.

Sure it has a new 260kW/500Nm V6 turbo-charged motor, but it felt better suited to cruising than being thrashed through corners. I also noticed that in Dynamic mode, all the cars felt quite comfortable unlike the somewhat bone-shattering ride of the previous A5. This reaffirms my opinion about the new A5 being more of a long distance cruiser than a race track wonder.

Conclusion

Although my time with the new Audi A5 was brief, I can say that Audi has taken its successful recipe and improved on it while staying true to what the A5 is all about.

Audi has incorporated the plus points of the previous model and enhanced the product. Is it better than the competition? No, it’s not, however it is a good alternative, especially when you consider that by August, we could see the entire line-up of the A5 in Audi showrooms; Sportback, Cabriolet and even the RS5.

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