We were wrong! Audi didn't launch the A5 at MIMS last night -- it was the S5 hotrod coupe that starred. Unveiled at simultaneous launches in Melbourne and Geneva, the honour of lifting the covers off the all-new two-door at MIMs was a huge coup for the local Audi equipe.
While CarPoint/Carsales scooped the fact the German marque would conduct dual unveilings last month, it was always assumed that it would be the A5 that would be shown at Melbourne. The hotter, V8-powerd quattro S5 was a surprise to all.
In Geneva, both versions were displayed -- the A5 sporting a new generation development of Audi's 3.2 FSI petrol V6 which features variable valve time and lift for the first time.
Proud-as-punch Audi Oz boss Joerg Hoffmann (pictured) confirmed the S5 would go on sale Down Under by October or November this year, priced in the region of $120,000-130,000. This is a scant few months after the car starts deliveries in its home market.
Along with the MIMS launch, the speed of arrival of the S5 is another indication of Audi Australia's growing stocks at head office.
And the car is so new that at last night's unveiling Audi was unable to deliver media kits or press images of the new car. So you'll have to make do with the 'box brownie' snaps here for the time being.
We were able to collar Audi Australia National Product Manager, John Richards, for some technical details, however.
According to Richards, the story of the new A5/S5 is the all-new chassis. The 5s feature a new five-link double wishbone front suspension and a redesigned trapezoidal rear set-up.
The big changes are at the front-end, however, where the front axle has been pushed forward (ahead of the clutch -- Audi's longitudinal engines have their clutch at the front of the engine) and the steering rack lowered to sit ahead and close to the centreline of the front axle.
As well as the visual design benefits of substantially reducing front overhang, the 'wheels forward' stance improves weight distribution which should pay dividends in handling balance and ride. The better located and more logical steering layout brings with it a more precise tiller with better feedback, says Richards.
Richards would not comment on the speculation the same set-up would find its way into the new A4 later this year. Take it from us -- it's a given.
The S5 is powered by a development of the 4.2 FSI petrol V8 engine that is fitted to the current A8 and Q7 models. Boasting 260kW at 7000rpm, it should be no slouch.
The compact V8 is coupled to a conventional six-speed manual gearbox in the S5 and the car rolls on wide 19-inch alloys.
Indeed, it seems good ol' fashioned cog boxes will play an important part in the launch period of the A5/S5 model line. (Does the new front-end configuration make adapting Audi's version of DSG problematic?)
According to Richards the A5 will be manual-only at launch. Three engines will be offered initially, in the Euro markets at least: 3.0 TDI V6 turbodiesel; the above mentioned 3.2 FSI; and a new 1.8TFSI. The latter will be a front-wheel drive model with a torquey 125kW -- all others are quattros.
It is likely Audi will add a 2.7 TDI with a Multitronic CVT gearbox for its home market, Richards suggested.
Inside the S5 there are seats and belts for four -- a la BMW's latest 3 Series coupe. The interior is conventional Audi (read: stylish and well executed) with the dash more A6 'cockpit' than TT 'binnacle'. Rear legroom looks tight -- but hey, it's a two-door!
Interestingly, the A5 is officially not confirmed for Australia yet. If the S5 arrives ahead of the A5, however, it will be a major change in the company's modus operandi. We wouldn't bet against a simultaneous launch of the two cars locally later this year just the same...
Check out more Geneva (and MIMS) new model news here in the coming days.
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