Audi has expanded its India line-up with the launch of the new A5 Sportback, A5 Cabriolet and S5 Sportback at Rs 54.02 lakh, Rs 67.51 lakh and Rs 70.60 lakh, respectively (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The previous-gen S5 Sportback was sold in India, as was the range-topping RS5 Coupe. This is the first time that Audi has brought the drop-top version of the A5 to the market.
The A5 Sportback and Cabriolet are both powered by the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel mill that produces 190hp and 400Nm of peak torque. Both body styles also get the same seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, thought the Sportback only comes with front-wheel-drive while the Cabriolet gets Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Unlike the previous-gen S5 sold in India that came with a supercharged engine, the new range-topping S5 Sportback gets a 3.0-litre, turbo-petrol, V6 motor putting out 354hp and 500Nm of twisting force, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to all four wheels.
The 2.0-litre diesel and the 3.0-litre petrol motors, both get an engine start-stop system as standard.
A fair amount of the A5’s interiors are shared with the A4 sedan, though the new model gets a new sporty three spoke steering wheel, black wood-trim in the cabin (faux aluminium in the S5), the MMI Touch infotainment system and the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster. A 755W Bang and Olufsen sound system and Audi’s smartphone integration suite with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are optional extras along with a sunroof for the Sportback version.
The A5 Cabriolet rivals the Mercedes-Benz C 300 Cabriolet, while the A5 Sportback will be a more stylish take on the A4, without any direct rivals at this price point.
The S5 Sportback will face competition from Volvo’s S60 Polestar and Mercedes-AMG’s C 43 Coupe.
Also see:
2017 Audi S5 Sportback, A5 review, test drive
2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet review, test drive
2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet image gallery