Audi A5 2.0 TDI 190

What is it?

It might not look it, but after nine years on sale, Audi is replacing the curvy A5 Coupe with this all-new Audi A5.  The Coupe market has moved on since the first A5 went on sale in 2007, but has it got what it takes to keep up? We hit the road in the Audi A5 2.0 TDI 190 to find out.

 What’s hot?

•  The 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, which boasts 187bhp and is best described as smooth and refined. Top speed is 148mph, with 0-62 acceleration taken care of in just 7.7 seconds. However combine this with a 60kg weight loss plan and 107g/km provisional emissions and a 68.9mpg fuel consumption is achievable. It’s no surprise Audi are expecting this engine to be fitted in the majority of new A5s finding UK business homes.
• This engine is also well-matched to the slick-shifting revised version of the seven-speed automatic box – which offers smooth, quick changes.
• Those 107g/km emissions mean the new A5 2.0-litre TDI 190 achieves an impressive 21% BIK banding.
• We had no problem with those Walter de Silva penned coupe lines, but the drive of the first-generation A5 Coupe was merely average. Thankfully, like the A4 before it, the new A5 gets the same suite of upgrades to help driver appeal. The A5 is now built on the same MLB evo platform and benefits from sharper, new electromechanical steering. Our test car was also fitted with optional variable ratio Dynamic Steering, which sharpened up the steering even more.
•  Then there’s the tidy handling; like the optional Dynamic Steering, our A5 was fitted with optional adaptive damping, which depending on the mode has a real effect on the bodyroll.
•  Outside, the new A5 looks familiar – but different. The biggest difference over the first and second-generation cars has to be the front design. There’s the expected Audi family grille, but it is lower, larger and wider. There’s more of a curve to the now standard xenon headlights and bonnet. In fact, the bonnet is particularly curvy. At the side, they’ve kept the A5 Mk1’s distinctive and curvy shoulder line, but there’s now 3D definition, plus small chrome details on the front wings and the A4-like floating edge where the bonnet meets the front wings. The back is the most conventional part of the A5’s new design, but the 3D-like design of the rear lights is neat.

• The interior design borrows much of its style from the latest A4, but is none the worse for that. The Virtual Cockpit, now available as an option, was fitted to our car – it works well. As you’d expect the new Audi A5’s interior features the usual attractive premium feel and is comfortable to sit in.
• It might not look like it, but the new A5 is built on a wheelbase that’s 17mm longer. That doesn’t sound like much, but along with 26mm more shoulder room and 12mm more headroom, it makes a world of difference to the A5’s interior. Why, well it certainly feels less claustrophobic and darker than it did before. There’s also a welcome extra 10 litres of bootspace too.
•  Audi weren’t keen to talk prices at the launch, but the new A5 has welcome extra standard equipment, in the form of xenon headlamps, Audi Drive Select (previously only available as an option), and the latest connectivity system. That’s on top of other kit like cruise control, keyless start, three-zone climate control, 17-inch alloys and a decent 10-speaker sound system, which is likely to sweeten the expected £35,000 cost.

What’s not?

• The new A5 might be a keener drive, but rivals such as the BMW 4-Series feel sportier. We also had some grip issues on the Portuguese test route, but we’ll give it the benefit of the doubt considering the wet weather on the launch.
• The optional adaptive suspension might change the feel of the new A5, but some of the modes are too similar in our opinion.
• The wheelbase of the A5 Mk2 might be 17mm longer, but it’s still tight for space in the back, plus access and headroom is disappointing too.

Verdict on the Audi A5 2.0 TDI 190

Being sharper to drive, sleeker looking and all with low CO2 emissions, the 2.0-litre TDI version of the second-generation A5 deserves every success in the business coupe market.

However, be aware that rivals still feel sportier to drive and despite the extra space allowed with the use of the MLB evo platform, space and headroom are still tight in the back. But when was the last time you bought a coupe to be practical?

The lowdown on: Audi A5 2.0 TDI 190

What it Costs: