New Audi A5 Breaks Cover

Audi AG took the wraps off the second-generation A5 coupe and its S5 performance variant last night at its headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany.

Built on Audi’s MLB Evo platform, which it shares with the smaller A4 car and Q7 crossover vehicle, the new A5 has a longer wheelbase and wider track than its predecessor. It also is as much as 132 lbs lighter, thanks to an increased use of high-strength steel and aluminum bodywork.

The new model’s shape and overall design is similar to the outgoing A5. But Audi says it has made aerodynamic tweaks that result in a best-in-class 0.25 drag coefficient.

Design changes include a longer hood, larger wheelhouses and a wider and lower-mounted single-frame grille. The 2017 A5 also gets new headlights and LED daytime running lights. Audi describes the look as “sporty elegancy.”

Borrowing elements from the 2017 A4, the new A5’s interior is said to be more spacious and luxurious than the outgoing model. Cargo capacity is increased 2% to 16.4 cu-ft. Options include a 12.3-inch high-definition configurable dashboard display, a multi-media infotainment system with an 8.3-inch monitor, touch-sensitive rotary controller, smartphone interfaces and an easier-to-use voice actuation system.

Five engines will be offered in Europe. This includes three diesels and two gasoline powerplants, which Audi says are as much as 17% more powerful and consume as little as 22% less fuel than those offered in the current A5.

In the U.S., the 2017 A5 is expected to be powered exclusively by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The high-performance S5 will get a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine tuned to make 354 hp, up 21 horses from the previous supercharged V-6.

Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. An 8-speed automatic with a torque converter will be standard with the top-end 268-hp 3.0-liter diesel. All-wheel drive is optional.

The A5/S5 coupe eventually will be joined by a convertible, a four-door fastback—which is expected to be offered in the U.S. for the first time—and range-topping RS 5. Audi says it has sold more than 330,000 units of the first-generation A5, which was launched nine years ago.