YOU might not have heard about this, but there is a new Audi A5 Sportback in Malaysia and it is quite handsome. Yes, the car company from Ingolstadt that produces well engineered vehicles has delivered a brand new 5 door family sports car and its called a Sportback because of its long tail boot-lid.
Launched officially in 2019, this latest version arrived in Malaysia in late 2020 without any fanfare as Audi in Malaysia is lagging far behind its immediate rivals, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, in Malaysia who have seen five figure sales numbers.
The reason for the lackluster sales figure in Malaysia is because all new Audis sold in Malaysia are fully imported and this puts a large import tax on all their pricing. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz and BMW Malaysia have invested heavily over the years in local assembly and so they pay lower import taxes which reflects in their better selling prices against Audi.
A5 Sportback exterior
The handsome looks of this A5 start with the latest Audi Singleframe honeycomb grille which is now flatter and somewhat wider with a more pronounced look for the side. Audi designers have added ventilation slits above the grille like with the classic rally race winning Audi Sport Quattro which was launched in 1984.
A bold blade forms the lower edge of the bumper, which features larger air inlets. A new sill provides for a slimmer appearance when viewed from the side; a diffuser insert with trapezoidal tailpipes makes the back of the car look wider.
This A5 arrives with Matrix LED headlights with LED rear lights featuring dynamic turn signals. This is a feature that is carried with all Audi models and one that some rivals are imitating right now.
Buyers can choose from 12 paint finishes because this A5 is fully imported, including this new ‘district green’ metallic colour. Having a fully imported range of vehicles allows Malaysian buyers to even customize their Audi to a limit and wait a few months for it to be built and delivered.
A5 Sportback connectivity
With its new MMI touch system, the highly connected Audi A5 offers a user experience similar to a contemporary smartphone. A 10.1-inch touch display with acoustic feedback replaces the rotary pushbutton used in previous models. The graphics are clean and reduced; the menu structure reflects the expectations of the user. The MMI search is based on free text input and returns relevant hits very rapidly. Natural-language voice control understands many formulations from everyday speech. The top of the line is the MMI navigation plus infotainment control center.
A5 Sportback drive
Ignite the 2-liter TFSI engine and it is whisper quiet in the cabin. Like all other executive Audi models, it is a well insulated luxury cabin experience. The Audi A5 Sportback can be driven with either sporty dynamics, luxurious ride comfort or economical driving with its ‘Audi Drive Select’ functionality. This allows the driver to decide which mood they are in and take advantage of this A5’s power delivery and all wheel drive handling.
Under the well sculpted hood is the most popular Audi engine, a 2-litre turbocharged engine that delivers a maximum power of 249bhp and a peak torque of 370Nm, without sacrificing fuel consumption and emissions.
Using a 7-speed semi-automatic transmission with steering paddle shifters if you prefer, this A5 can reach an impressive top speed of 250km/h as long as the PDRM is not around and deliver a sports car acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds. This is hot hatch timings and with its Quattro all wheel drive system, you will be in total control of this machine unless you get silly with it.
Steering is nicely weighted on the A5 where at parking speeds, it is light and quick, with a respectable feel for maneuvering. Rear passengers will be adequately looked after with decent legroom and shoulder room for three average sized adults.
Competing directly with the top version BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, Audi delivers just a little bit more quality, finesse and build quality. Its actually very hard to pick out the details, but if you spend enough time in this A5 in heavy traffic, you will notice the better all round product that Audi engineering prides itself on delivering to customers. This is why its pricing is a smidgen more than its rivals.
Audi A5 Sportback ‘advanced’ TFSI specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder Direct Injection exhaust turbocharger
Displacement: 1984cc
Transmission: 7-Speed S-Tronic
Max power: 249bhp @ 5000-6000rpm
Max torque: 370Nm @ 1600-4500rpm
Top Speed: 250km/h
0-100km/h: 5.6secs
Price: RM376,900.00 – The Vibes, April 11, 2021
This article is powered by www.dsf.my. For more automotive updates, follow DSF.my on Facebook and Instagram
