Even if the A5 SB isn't ever going to be a reality, it's the concept that we're discussing here because it's interesting.

Bear in mind that the Avant concept is considerably different from that of the Sportback one. A Sportback is not a wagon. It's more of a hatchback in the theme of a shooting brake - a more exclusive interpretation of the rear hatch design.

Audi has been toying with this modern shooting brake concept as the potential is there for yet another product niche; one that offers the dynamics and luxury persona of a sporting coupe or saloon combining 5 door accomodation without the farmer-and-his dog connotations of a station wagon.

I find an A3 SB, for example to be particularly elegant; it doesn't have the truncated looks of a stubby hatchback nor the elongated utility image of an Avant. In fact, one could argue that the A3 SB has an exclusivity that is unmatched in its class by virtue of those beautiful proportions. I don't see why this can't work for the A5, rather, I see it as an opportunity to further differentiate the A5 from the A4 as an exclusive, luxury model.

^^^ Meh, all Audi has done is make a mini avant off the A3. That car is no shooting brake.

This, on the other hand, is a shooting brake. The Opel Signum :

^^ Meh-you-bluddy self!

The A3 Sportback is sooo not a mini Avant, its proportions are completely different to an Avant. It's also not a straight hatchback either...

But what I find even more bewildering is how you can bring in that awful Opel Signum (which is closer to an MPV than a shooting brake) into this thread. While you were at it why didn't you post pics of a Vel Satis, no no, better still... why not the ultra-popular and immensly significant Renault Avantime!

Both the Vel Satis and Avantime (I see either one once a month at most ) are much more MPV than the Signum is. The Signum is a really good proportioned car in real life. I call it a real shooting brake. It's quite low and small compared to the cars you mentioned...

Audi A5 Sportback Illustration

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 planed 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: WCF
Audi A5 Sportback Illustration

This thing will more than likely to take sales away from the A4 Avant than attracting more new Audi buyers. Does Audi think they can achieve a higher profit if they put an Audi in every single section of the price range? Maybe I don't get the ponit of the A5, but the way I see it now is like MB dressing up a C-class wagon with the skin of a CLK, or BMW dressing their 3 series wagon with the coupe's body panel.

This chop makes me want one.. !
Audi Avant/SportBack

That looks more like a A4 Touring. Why turn the A5 coupe into an wagon? That's just retarted.

About as pointless as the clubman.

Exactly. What is this supposed to be? Even the interior is the same, LOL.