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Audi unveils new A5 and S5 Sportback

Audi has revealed its new A5 and S5 Sportback ahead of a Paris Motor Show debut.

Mixing a coupé design with family car functionality the second generation A5 Sportback further refines the ‘best of both worlds concept’ says Audi, with with 'even more tightly wrought lines', a completely new platform as well as Audi's latest engine, transmission and quattro drive developments. Sharing the stage at Paris will be the flagship S5 Sportback, which draws power from a new V6 turbocharged TFSI powerplant.

Featuring a stretched wheelbase, short overhangs and long, wraparound bonnet, the three-dimensional Singleframe grille is significantly flatter and wider than on the previous model. The wave-pattern shoulder line is ‘even more strongly accentuated’ than on the previous model and traces all three dimensions, says Audi. The pronounced bulges over the wheel arches underscore the quattro DNA. The rear end includes horizontal, equally 'highly precise' styling with a stretched luggage compartment lid rounded out with a the A5's characteristic spoiler edge.

The S5 Sportback features sporty bumpers, air inlets and side sills all with ‘distinctive contours’. Many of the S-specific styling additions are painted in tones of matt grey. Aluminium inlays accentuate the design inside, while the exterior mirror housings shine in an aluminium look. The rear bumper integrates a black honeycomb grille, aluminium diffuser trim and the signature four tailpipes. A spoiler lip in body colour adorns the separating edge of the luggage compartment lid.

The boot has a luggage capacity of 480 litres while the rear seat back splits 40:20:40. The load-area width measures exactly one metre, with the rear seats folded down, it can accommodate 1,300 litres.

Power comes from a choice of two TFSI and three TDI engine versions for the A5 Sportback. They produce between 190PS and 286PS of power and, compared with the previous model, Audi says fuel consumption is reduced by up to 22 percent while power output has increased by up to 17 percent.

The top version of the 2.0 TFSI produces 252PS for a 0 to 62mph in six seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Up to 47.8mpg combined is achievable, which corresponds to 136 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

A four-cylinder TDI develops 190PS and peak torque of 400 Nm, with quattro all-wheel drive and the seven-speed S tronic, 62mph from rest takes 7.4 seconds. Top speed is 146mph. In combination with the seven-speed S tronic and front-wheel drive, the 2.0 TDI returns 67.3mpg combined according to the NEDC standard, a CO2 equivalent of 109 grams per km.

With either a six-speed manual transmission, seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission or eight-speed tiptronic – there is tailor-made drivetrain technology available for every engine version. Front-wheel drive is standard, with quattro all-wheel drive available as an option in two versions - it’s standard for the 3.0 TDI with 286PS.

A V6 turbo engine with a hefty 354PS and 500Nm (368.8 lb-ft)of torque from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm powers the latest S5 Sportback from 0 to 62mph in 4.7 seconds, and on up to an electronically governed top speed of 155mph. It features quattro as standard, with wheel selective torque control as well as an eight-speed tiptronic transmission that can freewheel for further efficiency between 34 and 99mph when the driver eases off the accelerator pedal.

The Paris Motor Show runs from 1-15 October 2015.