Audi A5 Sportback Illustration

 Audi A5 Sportback Illustration
2010 Audi A5 Sportback artist rendering / Copyright by Larson

Arrives in 2009

Following the leaked Audi roll out schedule until 2012 in Quattro Quarterly, we now have an artist rendering of the Audi A5 Sportback. The model is planned for September 2009 and will proceed with Audi’s aim to differentiate the A5 into a separate model family.

Before the A5 Sportback, there will be A5 Cabrio, and A4 Avant in March 2008. Obviously, the A5 Sportback will not remain a two-door as the coupe, but rather a five-door configuration. However, in order to be distinguished form the A4 Avant, the car might propose more sleek design in the rear with a more spacious cabin. The A5 Sportback will be equipped with bigger engines than the A4 Avant, such as 4.2 V8, although, the most sporty version will be the RS 5, which is expected to debut in early 2009.

Audi’s plan to catch sales and production up to BMW and Mercedes-Benz consists of enlarging the product range with 18 new models. That move will help the company reach 1 million vehicles sales in 2010 as those 18 new models will help push demand for the exotic niche models such as the Audi A5 Sportback. The A5 Sportback will be positioned between the Avant models of the A4 and A6.

Source: Auto Bild via Motor Authority

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 joelynn joelynn
and the point of this car is? Now a Passat coupe based CLS rival A5 would make sense but what does this offer over an A4 avant?
January 3, 2008 8:31 am
 ceven ceven
Umm ... despite the better looks and having yet another model to offer? None, I guess. It might be "more spacious", but then it would have to be smaller overall than the A6 Avant. Tricky thing this is. Must admit then that I still find the A5 front more appealing than the also quite beautiful new A4 front looks. Can't wait for the A4 Avant. Maybe they'll rethink the idea and use the probably good-looking back end for the A4 series Avant. Would make sense to me.
January 3, 2008 12:18 pm
 asif asif
in one single swoop this has diminshed the halo of the A5 coupe. yet another pointless audi.....
January 3, 2008 1:16 pm
 ceven ceven
asif, you've certainly got a point there. One of the main aspects of buying an A5 maybe is (/was) having something special, off the hook, that is just not as "everyday" as the others.
January 3, 2008 2:54 pm
 buozgs01 buozgs01
But on the other hand it is much more affordable than A5 Coupe. But i guess not so beautiful..
January 3, 2008 5:53 pm
 ceven ceven
If it uses the same engines and is based on the A5 Coupé (which again is based on the A4 *scratches his head*), why would it be cheaper? The Avant versions are usually a bit more expensive than the sedans.
January 3, 2008 5:57 pm
 sub39h sub39h
When I read the news about a possible A5 Sportback, I assumed that it would have 3 doors rather than 5. I know that wouldn't fit in with Audi's naming system (with the A3 5 door being labelled a Sportback as well) but I would imagine that having a larger 3 door estate would suitably differentiate it from it's A4 Avant cousin. Either way, my advice to Audi is to not bother with it. It'll be uuugly and if the Vauxhall/Opel Signum is anything to go by then it won't sell well either.
January 3, 2008 3:25 pm
 ceven ceven
I always found the Signum the most appealing model in the Vauxhall/Opel range (let away the Astra VXR/OPC). No bad concept, maybe the targeted group is just too tiny. I guess most people who want a ride that's a little more spacious would go with the thought it had to be a 5 door estate/tourer.
January 3, 2008 3:35 pm
 MB6.3 MB6.3
If this is a sportback, why not a 2 door, why a 4 door? Though they'd at least come out with a A5 "four door coupe" first. I think the S5 was meant to be a coupe. Its lines, and overall design seem to be fit for nothing else. These four door variations by Audi, BMW, Mercedes are kind of getting ridiculous by now.
January 3, 2008 5:18 pm
 ceven ceven
Isn't there an A7 4 door coupé thing on its way? Who would need yet another?
January 3, 2008 5:59 pm
 ufo79 ufo79
That's exactly what I thought when seeing the picture! A 5 door A5 diminishes the value of the A5 (read coupé), and I don't see the point of a categorie between A4 and A6.
January 3, 2008 5:21 pm
 ceven ceven
Wait for the BMW 2-series. ;)
January 3, 2008 6:00 pm
 mtbpig mtbpig
I think the A5 Sportback will be more like a bigger, grand touring brother of the A3 and quite different in character from the A4/A6 Avants. I'm guessing the cabin will be similar in space as the A6 Avant but with less overhang at the rear.
January 3, 2008 7:50 pm
 german-cars-lover german-cars-lover
Let's stop for a second to compare it with Subaru Legacy wagon. I think it's clean German victory.
January 5, 2008 6:50 pm
 NaBUru38 NaBUru38
I'd make the real Avant models with a bigger boot and a vertical tailgate, and these Sportback ones with a steep tailgate an small boot.
January 7, 2008 10:39 pm
 dbehmoaras dbehmoaras
i like the idea to have an a5 to compete with the cls but why a sportback?? my guess is audi/volkswagen wants versatility in the lower lines to attract customers, and when people choose between the a4 avant and a5 sportback, they would probably go for the a5--if its executed well, it will be quite a moneymaker for audi looks good though
January 8, 2008 1:55 am