Audi A5 II

2017 Audi A5 Coupe

2017 Audi A5 Sportback

It's been almost a decade when Audi launched the two-door equivalent of the Audi A4, known as the A5, and while the A5 is made to take on the likes of BMW's 4-Series and Mercedes' C-Coupe, its stale styling never makes the cut against today's generation of two-door saloons. However, this is the latest version, and while this is based on the latest Audi A4, the all-new Audi A5 tries to show its rivals how technologically-advanced this new version is, although the new design feels like it's 10 years ago.

You get two bodystyles at launch; first there's the coupe version, starts at 42,750 Euros, for those who are very sensible enough to have a two-door saloon in the first place, and then there's the five-door Sportback version, starts at 40,850 Euros, for those who believe that the A4's not good enough for them. Either way, they're all the same story for these two bodystyles at the start because whichever A5 you'll be choosing, it's not the performance this car is aftering, it's the tech that counts and looks like you'll be having a hard time understanding the gadgetry deployed on the new model.

2017 Audi A5 Coupe interior

2017 Audi A5 Sportback interior

Of course, while the design is slightly an improvement from the previous model when it first launched almost a decade ago, the new interior is all business as usual for the coupe and as for the Sportback, you get that "out from the limo" feeling that once you got out from the back seat, you will think that you're in charge of almost everything, even your siblings who are not interested in cars at all. Of course, while the coupe is all about your time, all the time, and while the Sportback is all about talent agencies, four star hotels, and all that rut from your briefcase full of work-related materials, understanding the tech that sinks the A5's new interior like Silicon Valley meets Boracay is not an easy task but the more you understand about its interior, the better your understanding how it works like a laptop computer, and with the brand new "Technology Selection" offered on the A5, which comes with smartphone connectivity for iPhones and Androids, this is just the half of the tech-filled platter for the new model.

Okay, the Coupe and the Sportback models offer different range of engine choices and if you start with the normal Coupe version, you should know that there are 11 configurations to choose from; with the most powerful version is the sport 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic with 252PS of power and can get through 100kph in 5.8 seconds while the most efficient one is the sport 2.0 TDI ultra with the 6-speed manual which delivers 4.2 l/100km of fuel efficiency. For the Sportback, meanwhile, there are eight configurations available with the most powerful version is of course the 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic with a 0-100kph time of six seconds while the most efficient model is the 2.0 TDI ultra  with the 6-speed manual with a fuel economy of 4.1 l/100km.

2017 Audi S5 Coupe

2017 Audi S5 Sportback

If you need some more, there's also a semi-high performance variant called the S5. Priced at 62,500 Euros for both models, the S5 is equipped with a 3.0 TFSI engine producing 354 PS of power and top speed normally limited to 250kph, while mated with a tiptronic gearbox which isn't sound so sporty for a semi-high performance variant for the A5 models.

Either way, the new model feels a bit like it was slightly improved compared to the first-generation model. Although luxurious and comfortable to drive on the city streets and on the highway, its excitement to drive as a weekend car is almost none and you can't sense how much fun this new model is, even if you're going two doors because who would rather think driving a car with two doors is considered a sleek and sporty ride? However, Audi resorted developing a new quattro all wheel drive system with ultra technology, this upgraded drivetrain feels like it's starting to work rather well like singing kumbaya on a boy scout bonfire night. Still, with technology at its earnest disposal, the new Audi A5's state of the art features in terms of safety and connectivity feels like it's one step ahead to the future and while these new models are here today, they're always ready for tomorrow's ever-changing demographics.

Although the new model doesn't sense its sportiness from within, its becoming a slight improvement compared to the previous generation and it will take owners to grow accustomed to the all-new model by whatever means necessary. The more they drive the new A5, the more they know, and the more they know, the better their experience behind the wheel will be and while having two bodystyles with different powertrains offered is just half the story, there's more to come with the new generation A5 so expect surprises later on for this generation.

Photo: Audi AG