Audi has just announced that it will bring a Sportback version of the stunning A5 to market this year. The move by Audi comes just weeks after BMW released its 5 Series Gran Turismo.
The new model has the soul of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a wagon (or Avant, as they say at Audi).
In Europe the car will initially be offered with five powertrains, including two gasoline and three diesel options. The gasoline engines are, as expected, the 2.0 TFSI engine making 211hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque and the 3.2-liter V6 with 265hp.
As for the diesels, they include the 2.0 TDI with 170 and 258 ft-lbs of torque, the 2.7 TDI with 190hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque and a 3.0-liter V6 TDI with 240hp and a massive 369 ft-lbs of torque.
As for cargo capacity, Audi says the new model has 17 cubic feet of cargo space (almost the same as the A4 Avant), and 34.6 cu.-ft. with the rear seats folded flat.
While Audi has yet to release any full photos of the car, the rear hatch section does slope off from the roof that is 1.42-inches lower than that of the A4.
Word of the new model comes from Audi in Europe, but the car will most likely make its way to North America – why else would those Europeans have listed all the stats in ft-lbs and cubic-feet, as well as Nm and liters? The only question mark is what powertrains will be offered. Diesels are unlikely and with Audi recently eliminating the 3.2 V6 from many of its vehicles, the 2.0 TFSI is the only option left.
The A5 Sportback will go on sale in Europe this September with a starting price of 36,050 Euros. If Audi does decide to bring the car to the U.S., the following Spring would be the most likely time.
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Audi Teases the A5 Sportback on AutoGuide.com
Audi Teases the A5 Sportback
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