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Five-doored coupes are the next alternative when you want a coupe, while having the seating capacity and the same number of opening doors like a sedan; and most importantly, providing similar rear-seating accommodation. Mid-life crisis maybe? But actually no… We beg to differ. The Audi A5 is into its second generation, and the Sportback might be considered an oddball in a traditional sense, but it suits its purpose of being a car that really would do everything you want, yet, not fit into the now over-crowded SUV box.
The Sports model benefits from a high-compression 2.0 straight-four mounted in north-south fashion, delivering 252hp, and delivering a healthy 370Nm at 1,600rpm, with the torque tap open till 4,500rpm. The 2.0 is real gem of an engine, providing a high compression ratio of 11.7:1, meaning that it is able to deliver better on performance, especially at lower revs, with lesser throttle loss, thanks to the intake valves being able to close earlier. The valve timing ensures better efficiency when you’re not giving it the beans, behaving more like a smaller 1.4 litre engine, and delivering how a 2.0 would, with its intake valves closing later.
A 7-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic transmission provides the drive to all four wheels via their Quattro system, which features a self-locking centre differential.
Acceleration is quick, with the Sportback hitting the 100 mark in six-seconds. But it really is not so much of how quick the car is, but how well it delivers its drive which to me is more important. The front and rear independent suspension is tuned slightly firmer than an A4 Sedan, while the car sits on 18” rims, which we believe, delivers a fine balance between comfort and handling. We also like how the electromechanical responds to driver inputs.
Ride refinement-wise; there is minimal wind noise, although we did notice some road noise from the tyres. Seat comfort is good, with enough support from the side bolsters during cornering. All-round visibility is also good, with plenty of side glass to see out of.
With the Quattro, the drive would perhaps be a little less entertaining than say a BMW 430i. Flick it into a turn, with more neutral handling characteristics and the +20Nm, you will soon realise that the Sportback delivers a slightly more point-and-shoot driving style. Having mentioned that, the Sportback would still confidently deliver enough driving fun if you were to have a track day in it.
What makes it even better is that for a little less than the equivalent Beemer, the Audi benefits from simply more torque, and the surefootedness of its signature Quattro drive.
For those who want a car which does all that a sedan does, yet would not want the car they own to be placed in that very same box, the Sportback does all of this.
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