Super-connected Audi A5 range

Image: Motorpress

Super-connected Audi A5 range now available in South Africa

Audi has significantly revised the exterior, with the front end exuding an even more powerful resolve.

Super-connected Audi A5 range

Image: Motorpress

The Audi A5 Sportback, A5 Coupé and S5 Cabriolet now feature a new, tauter look and a cutting-edge MMI touch operating concept.

In the updated Audi S5 Sportback, Coupé and Cabriolet, the 3.0 TFSI engine continue to offer a sportier and performance led drive, AUDI SA said.

In addition, all variants within the Audi A5 and S5 model range now offer fully integrated connectivity functions with Audi connect, thereby enabling safety and service; security and convenience as well real-time infotainment functions to the driving experience.

Audi A5: Potent performance

The Audi A5 has a range of petrol engines and one diesel engine. The 40 TFSi is powered by a two-litre petrol engine producing 140 kW and 320 Nm and a sprint time to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.

The more potent S5 is powered by three-litre petrol engine producing 260 kW and 500 Nm and has a 4.7 seconds to 100 km/h.

Powering the 40 TDI Quattro is powered by a two-litre diesel engine producing 140 kW and 400 Nm and it has a sprint time of 4.7 seconds to 100km/h.

New-look exterior design

Audi has significantly revised the exterior, with the front end, in particular, exuding an even more powerful resolve.

The Singleframe with the honeycomb grille is flatter and somewhat wider. Ventilation slits above the grille are reminiscent of the classic Audi Sport Quattro from 1984.

All body and engine variants in the range roll off the assembly line with Matrix LED headlights with LED rear lights featuring dynamic turn signals, as standard.

The exterior lines are now freely combinable with the S line interior package which adds sports seats with fine Nappa leather and S embossing at an additional cost. There are also 12 exterior paint finishes to choose from, including the new shade district green, metallic.

Intuitive and everything in focus

With its new MMI touch system, the highly connected Audi A5 and S5 range offers a user experience similar to a contemporary smartphone.

That large MMI touch display, the control centre of the new operating system, is the focal point of the instrument panel and angled slightly toward the driver.

A 10.1-inch touch display with acoustic feedback replaces the rotary pushbutton used in previous models. The graphics are clean and reduced and the menu structure reflects the expectations of the user.

The MMI search is based on free text input and returns relevant hits very rapidly. Natural-language voice control understands many formulations from everyday speech and is another convenient function available.

All models come standard with the Audi connect roof module which enables immediate and online connectivity to Audi’s roadside assistance and emergency call centre at the press of a button from within the car. This allows access to emergency towing, ambulance, police, or fire brigade support.

Image: Motorpress

Audi connect also offers real-time information for navigation and infotainment as part of the Technology Package. This includes live and integrated Google Earth navigation allowing the driver to easily plan trips through the myAudi app and send destinations and routes directly to the vehicle. Live information around points of interests (trading hours, parking availability), traffic information and weather updates are also included.

The myAudi app (downloadable from the app store) is an additional standard feature as part of the Audi connect portfolio, which connects the Audi A5 with the customer’s smartphone. It is through this point that the driver can access important vehicle information, manage data and configure and set up certain services like geo-fencing perimeters and speed limits.

The driver will be able to call up real-time information about the vehicle and keep an eye on the fuel level, range, service appointments, warning messages, and other key functions from an off-site location.

Image: Motorpress

Increased computing power

The updated Audi A5 and S5 range uses a new main unit with increased computing power – the third generation modular infotainment platform (MIB 3). It works together with equally new Communication box, which handles such things as telephony and the Audi connect services.

The Audi A5 comes standard with Audi smartphone interface which enables Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The driver controls the full-HD, 12.3-inch display (1,920 x 720 pixels) of the Audi virtual cockpit plus (another standard feature) via the multifunction steering wheel and can choose between three views.

This is complemented by the optional head-up display that projects important information into the driver’s direct field of view. Other optional extras like the Audi phone box and the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound round are included throughout the range.