German Car Zone

Audi.de shows that the normal A5 2.0 TDI starts at EUR 36,750 (including VAT), 30,882 without.

Press kit states EUR 36,050 for the 2.0 TDI version... but I'm not sure it includes VAT.

After reading the scoop the first question that came to my mind was why didn't Audi use the de-tuned 3.0T power plant from the A6 instead of the 3.2 V6 if an 'S' model is not planned. (I know that's an assumption but I am basing it on some past Audi release behavior - all previous A5/S5 variants have been announced simultaneously if I am not mistaken).

Having had a little time to try and think about this from Audi's perspective it became clear why a 'S' Sportback would make absolutely no sense four Audi to produce, why produce it when most people would ultimately buy the cheaper/equivalent performance S4 Sedan. On the flip side, why would Audi want to potentially hurt A6 3.0T sales as it approaches the end of its life for this body iteration.

Then it it hit me, and please do correct me if I am wrong, was there not a rumor going around recently that Audi would not be producing the RS4 this time around?

Dare I say it - What if the Sportback was actually destined to skip being an 'S' model to avoid model confusion with the S4 and went straight to 'RS' status.

Under this scenario the 3.2 V6 makes perfect sense - to me at least.

So far I like it very much. Mind that the press release states that quattro rear sport differential will be available on the two high end models, which is great news (especially if there is no S5 Sportback). This makes it the first time this new differential is being offered on a non-S model. Also note that they mention the new "electronic differential" for the front wheels, which is basically a reprogrammed ESP acting like a differential by braking one of the wheels when needed. Such a system has recently been employed by some manufacturers like Alfa with their e-Q2. While obviously not as good as a mechanical one, this one has the advantage of not adding any additional weight to the front. So basically you could get an A5 Sportback quattro with a rear electro-mechanical differential and an electronic front differential with a very good front-to-rear balance - all should add up and really make a difference in the handling department.
BMW should be worried. S4 with sport differential got rave reviews.
The only disappointment indeed is the 3.2 V6 engine.

Any more pics?

^^^ Why should BMW be worried???? They are hard at work with all sorts of projects, and the competion is still reacting to the normal 335i, a car BMW stopped working on years ago.

That's a lie. I don't care how "similar" demarcated boot volume is to that of the A4 Avant, there's more than a little fib going on here because manufacturers don't quote for the amount of cubic volume afforded by a wagon-box above the roll-on cover.

At 480 litres the boot volume is exactly the same as that of the A4 sedan. What Audi could've (more accurately) said was, "it is as practical as an Avant because it has the same boot capacity as the A4 sedan" and this would've been laughable.

The Avant quoted at 490 litres - but we all know that the Avant is far more capacious and hence practical when it comes to loading outsize items or loading the pet labrador in the back. You can't do this with an A5 Sportback. Marketing spin.

The Audi A5 Sportback is the exact same car as the A4 Sedan. Except that it's going to look ever-so-slightly different.

Of all the latest raft of fashionable (and debatably necessary) crossovers this Audi A5 Sportback is by far the most gratuitously superfluous. Let the debate ensue..

Of course once you remove the cover it will not have the same volume of an Avant. That itself is obvious, since it would be physically impossible. It is, however, more practical than a sedan, since in a sedan you cannot even remove the top cover. For example, you cannot (and of course, shouldn't ) put a dog in the trunk of a sedan. You can do so in a Sportback. Same as with any inanimate object that protrudes beyond the covered dimensions of a trunk. You could lower your seats in a sedan for this, but then you lose extra seating or storage space for other things.

Because the differences are getting blurred. The next 3 series arrives 2012 or 2013. The FL has come and gone and the rear differential is still not being offered as an option. Maybe it will on the coupe. I hope so. Because even though I am a BMW fan (I own a 3 series, after all), if Audi approaches (or by some accounts surpasses) the segment leader in handling, then my next car is an Audi.
They might play it safe with their design language, but in most cases it works. BMW is more daring, but I can find more little things that bother me than on Audi at the moment.

Wow, that looks pretty hot. I'm definitely hopeful about this car. I like the regular A5, but find something of a let down in its green-house shape, this might fix that.

To note, and I'm surprised nobody's noticed this yet, but that kinked C-Pillar looks IDENTICAL to the Accord Coupe's, like as in, I though to myself upon first view "why the hell does GermanCarZone have an Accord Picture up"?

All brand stuff aside, the Accord Coupe has a great looking greenhouse and C-Pillar IMO, kind of BMW'esque, so my eyes can't say it's a criticism.

The A5 is not on the same level as dynamically as the 3er.

T. has seen this car when they were "queueing up" to use the Photovoltaic Pergola in Barcelona ,

Audi with the A5 Sportback , R8 Spyder , Mercedes-Benz with SLS , Volvo with the updated C70 , And BMW with something that will not be seen until September.