German Car Zone

I really don't understand the negativity towards this A5 Sportback.

It's a very similar thing to BMW's own planned 3-series shooting brake or F3.

If it's the 3-series shooting brake, it will be based on the 3-series coupe : exactly the same thing with the A5 Sportback, which is based on the A5 coupe. Remember that the A5 is positioned against the 3 coupe, as an 'A4 coupe'.

If it's the F3 like its brother F5, then it will be slightly taller than 3-series touring (Autobild reported that the F5 will be 1550mm, slightly taller than the 5-series touring). If it's the F3, then the A5 Sportback will be sportier as it will not be any taller than an A4 Avant.

For me, Audi's 'Sportback' is what they are calling their shooting brake, only with 5 doors.

If the 3-series 5-door shooting brake is indeed coming, it IS BMW's 3 coupe 'Sportback' = exactly the same as Audi's A5 Sportback. What is the difference?

As BMW keeps saying that the F5 (and maybe F3) is NOT a VAN, I believe the same thing could be said about Audi's A5 Sportback.

Remember that the A5 is 3-series-coupe-tall, so an A5 Sportback will NOT be VAN-tall.

I'm a BMW fan but also an Audi fan, and I think they're both going the same direction, which is NOT the VAN-route as Mercedes went with the R-class.

Do I make a point here, guys..?

I believe that you are right but the BMW marketing department will not agree with you.
With every new model launched they try to convince us that it's the best thing ever after fire was invented back in the stone age.

Mind that MB was working on CLS shooting brake - I don't know what is the status of this vehicle right now. Also SLK shooting brake was rumoured - but killed (just like TT Shooting Brake).

Like I said earlier: market researches show a demand for a vehicle with wagon or even van versatility, but with more sporty & special appearence than normal wagon / van. Kinda a wagon *** hatch *** van *** coupe crossover.

I guess all 3 Big Germans are playing with idea of offering such a vehicle.

According to my info BMW will offer not offer special shooting brake variant of 3er coupe. That will be a total overkill: imagine 3er Touring, 3er Shooting brake, F3, 5er Touring, F5. BMW think 3er Touring is sporty enough - and with more practical F3 coming BMW will be able to position next generation of 3er Touring as even more sporty 5dr shooting brake like vehicle. Same thing will happen with 5er Touring: F5 will bring more versatility & additional luxurious feeling, while F11 5er Touring will be able to become more sporty - shooting brake like wagon.

This strategy by BMW (3er Touring, F3, 5er Touring, F5) looks much more clean & reasonable - with less overlapping than A4 Avant / A5 Sportback / A6 Avant line with too similar products. If A5 Sportback comes Audi won't be able to make A4 & A6 avant models more sportier - because in such case A5 Sportback image & sales would be hurt.

From what I know, it was not a CLS shooting brake but a C-class shooting brake, which will be sportier than the C Estate. Would be called CLC (I believe the C Sportscoupe will remain, well, the Sportscoupe. Not the new CLC).

Less overlapping, yes. But, as much as I anticipate the F5, the fact remains that it's going to be a taller vehicle than the 5-series saloon/touring. While Audi's solution for a sportier new genre is their Sportback lineup (so far, there's been only one Sportback in the market which is the A3, correct?). And, just like with the arrival of the F5, BMW would not have the need to make the 5 Touring any sportier, either would Audi with their Avants. Besides, the Tourings/Avants are not supposed to took sporty with sloping fastbacks, they are meant to be practical, aren't they.

The way I see it, the Sportback lineup is to Audi what the F-series is to BMW. Different approach but same objective, I believe.

On a side note, the issue of the Autobild that first reported the 3 Shooting Brake also had the 3 'Sport Van' on the cover. They were not to be overlapping each other as the 'Sport Van' was to be a taller vehicle than the 3 Touring (in line with the F5 concept, minus the suicide doors), while the Shooting Brake was to be true Shooting Brake with only two-doors (three if you count the rear hatch). Now I know that this type of vehicle could have a limited market, but I think it makes sense as the F3 will be the volume-seller while this 2-door Shooting Brake would be a niche vehicle.

Latter reports from various sources depicted the 3 Shooting Brake as a 5-door vehicle (like the pic I posted above), but I think this could be a misinterpretation, their own interpretation of the F3.

Scott's comment on this one would be very welcomed!

But if the 5-door 3 Shooting Brake is becoming a reality, and so is the Mercedes CLC, we could be seeing a whole new genre of vehicle coming from all the three German marques : the 3 Shooting Brake vs Audi A4/A5 Sportback vs Mercedes CLC. Interesting indeed..

And a double-what if the F3 is something similar...

Nachrichten - Audi A1, Audi A3 Cabrio, Audi A5 Sportback, Audi A7 - AUTOStrassenverkehr

^OMG SO HOT.. looks like that audi concept wagon from some years back..

Allroad Quattro you mean?

Yeah, that PS looks nice...

^ohh no..the other one..its older.it has a interior like the A8..
damn i cant remember the name now..

edit... : i just remembers.. audi avantissimo..thats it

You beat me to it in few secs...