Larger but lighter, more powerful but more fuel efficient and arguably even cooler looking, the all-new Audi A5 Coupe and its hotter S5 sibling bowed at the automaker’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany. Like the recently-introduced 2017 Audi A4 sedan, the Gen II versions of these stylish 2-door coupes are based on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB modular platform and feature redesigned suspension and steering setups as well as the latest in infotainment/driver-assist technology. While presented only in European trim, much of what you see here will come to America.
Elegantly aggressive
Visually, the new A5 and S5 display an elegantly aggressive character, with slicker wind-cheating bodywork to achieve a class-leading 0.25 coefficient of drag. Despite being marginally longer and wider, the proportions remain largely unchanged although the wheelbase does grow by about half an inch. Up front, Audi’s signature single-frame grill is now wider and flatter than the current iteration and flanked by new A4-style headlamps that can be upgraded to full LED or Matrix LED units. The rear resolves the now-more-pronounced wave-shaped shoulder line into its own tidy aero form, with the S5 also adding a small integrated decklid spoiler.
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Offering a bit more passenger space, the cabin design of the new A5/S5 also borrows heavily from the A4. That commonality extends to the availability of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit display, MMI navigation system and Audi Connect with Wi-Fi hotspot, Qi inductive phone charging and support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Here, too, audiophiles can opt for a premium Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system. Audi claims the new A5/S5 also set new class benchmarks for “aeroacoustics” and that a new 40/20/40 split folding rear bench will add even more practicality to its larger 16.4 cu ft trunk that now offers a hand-free foot-gesture opening option.
More dynamic driving experience
As a result of transitioning to the new MLB platform, Audi engineers managed trim up to 132 pounds from the A5/S5 curb weights, an advantage that will be further leveraged by the redesigned suspension/steering hardware and more potent powertrains. While European buyers will have the choice of gasoline and turbodiesel engines and manual/automatic transmissions, we anticipate seeing the A5 initially turn up here in both front-drive and Quattro all-wheel drive fitted with Audi’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged TFSI gas 4-cylinder that makes 252 horses in the A4 backed by a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Borrowed from the S4 sedan, the hot 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the S5 makes 349 horsepower in Euro trim and can take this more performance tuned 2-door from 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds.
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The 2018 Audi A5 and S5 Coupes will offer the same enhanced selection of safety/driver assist systems available on the new A4 Sedan. These includes Audi active lane assist, Stop&Go adaptive cruise control including traffic jam assist, park assist, cross-traffic assist rear, collision-avoidance assist and turn assist as well as the Audi pre-sense systems. Due in European showrooms this fall, the exact timing, packaging and pricing for their U.S. counterparts have not been announced.
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