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Car manufacturers are usually pretty good at pointing out the plusses of their vehicle against that of rivals. It's simply good marketing and they all do it. We are currently witnessing the fascinating diesel-versus-hybrid debate, but that's another story.
After a week's road test of Audi's 2009 A5 2.0 TFSi quattro we are wondering if there is any debate at all in this entry level A5 extinguishing another automobile. No, not from a rival, but the same maker. In fact within the same model line up. It's hard to put up a case for the previous entry level A5 Audi 3.2 FSI when it lines up against the new, four cylinder A5.
Not the least of comparisons is the outlay to play the A5 game: $83,500 for the 2.0 TFSi variant and $95,300 for the 3.2 litre six. Then you drive both vehicles: the new A5 is a nimble-footed coupe that just begs to be driven. The A5 3.2 is front wheel drive with some unfriendly habits with heaps of torque directed through the front rubber. With apologies to George Orwell: Two wheels bad, four wheels good.
The A5 with its feisty 2.0 litre TFSi engine is simply a better balanced car. The 3.2 litre has 195 kW of power compared to 155 kW in the four cylinder, but this is all but irrelevant. Torque is where it's at. The 2.0 litre has 350 Nm on tap between 1500-4200 rpm and it's run through a seven speed dual-clutch DSG transmission. The 3.2 litre has less torque – 330 Nm between 3000-5000 rpm - and it's run through a CVT transmission. CVT transmissions are about as sporty as Meatloaf while the DSG transmissions are state-of-the art and shift faster than humanly possible.
Then throw in economy: Audi claim city/highway combined 7.5 litres/100 km for the 2.0 litre four and 8.7 litres/100 km for the six. For those looking for green pastures, the 2.0 litres dominates with Co2 emissions of just 173 g/km compared to 207 g/km from the six. Stats aside the new A5 2.0 TFSi is simply a cracking coupe. It is, above all, a driver's car.
One thing that does not change between A5 variants is the boot space. Large. Some 455 litres with the back seat in place and a massive 829 litres with the seat folded. However, that comes at a cost. The rear pew is decidedly passenger unfriendly, but that's not unusual in this class of car. We found it even a little confining – and that was just testing it for size. The reality is that a luxury touring coupe's like this are most likely to find homes that are empty nests or well-to-do professional couples, so the rear pew is unlikely to be used, other than for short haul trips or a domestic emergency.
These are the types of buyers who may later migrate to an Audi A4 or Q5 when kids come along.With its low-rev torque the A5 2.0 TFSi actually sprints to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, one tenth of a second faster than the 3.2 FSI A5. The matching of the DSG transmission and the lighter 2.0 litre engine along with quattro all wheel drive is sublime and are the key elements to the car's performance and road handling. It's a combination that inspires confidence. The car points beautifully into sharp corners and powers through effortlessly and on uneven surfaces displays very good directional stability.
We might add it's this engine that has consecutively won five `Engine of the Year Awards' including 2009. New five-link front suspension and extensive use of aluminium in both the front and rear suspension reduces weight. Finely-tuned dampers limits body movement. The engineering is matched by the A5's external and internal appearance and finish. The minute you step into the car you feel comfortable – it has that at-home feeling like winter slippers. The fit, and finish, are all class and it is tidy. Switches, dials, the driver eye-line to important information is there where it should be.
Touring coupes are traditionally relatively long vehicles and the A5 is no exception. This also means designers have room to move in creating shapes that are both pleasing to the eye and aerodynamically suited to the engineering. The A5 excels at both. (Don't tell Audi this, but the A5 2.0 TSFi actually looks like it is worth more than $83,500.)
And, of course it does cost more when you venture in to the 3.2 litres variants. But, for those who like manual shifters, it actually costs less at $79,900 for the six speed mated to the 2.0 TFSi engine.
MODEL RANGE
2.0 TFSI quattro $79,900
3.2 FSI (a) $95,300
3.2 FSI quattro (a) $98,500
3.0 TDI quattro (a) $94,500
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard
Air Conditioning: Standard
Automatic Transmission: Optional
CD Player: Standard
Central Locking: Standard
Cruise Control: Standard
Dual Front Airbags: Standard
Front Side Airbags: Standard
Stability Control: Standard
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.984 litres
Configuration: In Line
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 9.6:1
Bore/Stroke: 82.5 mm x 92.8 mm
Maximum Power: 155 kW @ 4300-6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 350 Nm @ 4200 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front and Rear
Manual Transmission: Six Speed
Automatic Transmission: Seven Speed DSG
Final Drive Ratio: 3.693 (m) 4.093 (a)
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4625 mm
Wheelbase: 2751 mm
Width: 1854 mm
Height: 1372 mm
Turning Circle: 11.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1490 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 litres
Towing Ability: 750 kg (1900(m) 1700 (a) kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Five Link, upper and lower wishbones, anti-roll bar.
Rear Suspension: Independent trapezoidal-link, anti-roll bar.
Front Brakes: Ventilated Discs
Rear Brakes: Discs
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 6.5 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.5 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: unavailable
Air Pollution Rating: unavailable
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years/ unlimited km
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