AUDI A5 Coupe Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Audi launched the second generation of the A5 in the summer of 2016 for the 2017 model year, nine years after the introduction of this nameplate in its inventory.

Usually, the German premium automaker replaced its models after eight years, but this time it was different. Because of the world financial crisis that damaged the carmaker's finances, it had to keep the A5 lineup a little bit longer than expected. Therefore, instead of replacing the model in late 2015, it postponed it for more than six months, but who's counting? Customers were eagerly expecting the new generation, and Audi didn't disappoint them. It built the second sequel of this moniker on the same platform as the well-known A4 but with a more attractive shape. Furthermore, it didn't ditch any of the bodywork versions that made the A5 sell well despite the company's economic downturns. The new generation was more of an evolution rather than a revolution.

After Walter de Silva left Volkswagen Group, the carmaker's styling department continued working on the same ideas imagined by the brilliant Italian designer. In addition, it integrated the singleframe grille design language, which was typical for the entire carmaker's lineup. As a result, the 2017 Audi A5 Coupe showed a sharper design, with clear lines for the octagonal grille. The headlights flanked it on the upper side, and they looked meaner than those of the previous generation. In addition, the LED daytime running lights boasted an L-shape, adorning the upper outer corners of the headlamps. Along with the second generation of the Audi A5, the German automaker also added the Matrix LED option for the headlights, dramatically improving the nighttime driving experience. At the same time, in the apron, the automaker added a pair of angular-shaped side scoops that housed the available fog lamps and the air intakes that cooled the front brakes.

The low-slung profile of the A5 was one of the reasons why customers bought the first generation of this nameplate, so the carmaker kept the same ideas. However, the 2017 Audi A5 Coupe boasted sharper lines with a crisp look, even though they were flowing above the wheel arches like a calm wave. On the lower side of the vehicle, Audi placed sharper lines with an ascending look that made the compact-sized coupe look sportier.

However, the interior deserved a big round of applause due to the increased quality of the materials used and intelligent design. Audi offered the 2017 A5 Coupe with either a mixed instrument panel or a completely digital one, known as the Audi Virtual Cockpit. At the front, the two bucket seats tumbled forward and slid at the touch of a button placed on their seatbacks, easing ingress and egress for those seated in the back. Between them, on the center console, the automaker placed a couple of cup holders, the gear stick (or the gear selector), and the round dial for the infotainment system.

Under the hood, Audi installed a new range of gasoline and turbodiesel engines paired with manual or automatic transmissions. The two-pedal versions were available depending on the engine version with dual-clutch systems or torque-converter-based ones. Apart from the base model, powered by a 190 PS (187 hp) turbocharged gasoline powerplant, the rest of the range was available with Audi's famous quattro all-wheel drive system. To make the car handle better, the automaker offered electronically-controlled dampers. In addition, to improve traction for all-wheel drive versions, the automaker added a limited-slip center differential. As a result, Audi started to close the gap to its main rivals, the BMW 4 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.

Audi introduced a facelifted version of the A5’s first generation in 2011, showing a sportier look and fixing most of the issues noticed by its customers.

Four years after the model’s introduction in 2007, Audi launched a refreshed version of it. The new version provided not just more power for those looking for that but also better fuel efficiency. In addition, the wide choice of turbo-diesel engines made this sporty-looking coupe an excellent companion for long journeys, although it was mostly suitable for two occupants onboard, even though it was a four-seat vehicle.

The most significant upgrade was noticed at the front fascia. There, the automaker installed a new set of headlights that featured LED daytime running lights inside them, similar to those introduced on the Audi A4 B9 generation. They flanked the single-frame grille surrounded by a chromed trim, extended downward into the apron, and flanked by wide horizontal air intakes. From its profile, the wave-shaped waistline was similar to the one on the non-facelifted version, although it looked sharper. Finally, at the back, the redesigned taillights were available with continuous LED strips that emphasized the car’s sporty character.

Inside, the automaker couldn’t make more room for the rear passengers, but it could improve the ambiance for those seated at the front, and that’s what it did. Firstly, it added higher-quality materials to the center stack and the door cards. Then, it improved the infotainment system, and all grades got an eight-speaker CD radio with an option for an MMI (Man-Machine Interface) unit with an integrated hard drive, a seven-inch display, and a DVD player. In addition, Audi offered Bluetooth connectivity and integrated Google POI search, Google Earth images, and a WLAN hot-spot. For the safety package, the refreshed A5 has adaptive cruise control with an emergency stop feature, which, below 30 kph (19 MPH), could apply maximum brakes that could bring the vehicle to a halt to avoid collision. The comfort for the front occupants didn’t change, though. Audi installed bolstered seats, with an option for sports seats depending on the engine version, cloth or leather upholstery, and heating functions. In the back, on the other hand, there was hardly room for two passengers due to the limited legroom and headroom.

Under the hood, Audi installed a wide choice of engines, either gasoline or diesel, ranging between 170 PS (168 HP) and 272 PS (268 HP) paired with either manual or automatic transmissions. For selected versions, the four-rings brand added the quattro all-wheel drive system, while others were fitted as standard with it. One of the biggest complaints about the car was the weight distribution, so the automaker tried to solve the problem by improving the suspension and especially re-calibrating the rear dampers. Last but not least, the automaker replaced the formerly used servo-assisted power steering and introduced an electromechanical system for the facelifted version of the A5’s first generation.

Audi unveiled the A5 Coupe at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, marking the carmaker's comeback to the premium compact coupe segment with a vehicle designed by the famous Walter de Silva.

The German automaker ended production of the Audi Coupe (based on the 80 platform) in 1996, leaving the door open for the BMW 3 Series Coupe, the Volvo C70, and the Mercedes-Benz CLK to fill the premium coupe segment with their vehicles. Meanwhile, the four-ring brand was busy revamping its lineup and moving from numbers to an alphanumeric system. However, its customers were eagerly waiting for a two-door sporty vehicle able to keep up with the competition in terms of performance and comfort. Hence, the car manufacturer provided them with one that exceeded buyers' expectations. The car came with a wide range of engines, front and all-wheel drive systems, with manual or automatic transmissions, and excelled at doing daily drives as well.

Walter de Silva penned the car based on the 2003 Audi Nuvolari concept. He created a broad, upside-down trapezoidal grille that dominated the front fascia. It flanked it with sharp-looking headlights that integrated the LED daytime running lights at their lower side. Furthermore, on the lower side of the bumper, depending on the grade and options, the automaker added a set of fog lamps underlined by horizontal slats integrated into the side scoops.

The car had a sporty stance with a hood that was almost a quarter of the car's length. It was followed by a raked windshield for the greenhouse, which sported a roofline that slightly descended towards the back of the vehicle. Furthermore, a sloped-down rear window and a short deck adorned by a tiny lip spoiler emphasized the 2007 Audi A5 Coupe's sporty character. The automaker tried to mix the feeling of a sporty vehicle with that of a grand tourer, and at least in terms of design, it succeeded. No wonder Walter de Silva said about this coupe, "The Audi A5 is the most beautiful car I have ever designed."

Inside, customers can get the 20007 Audi A5 Coupe with a wide variety of options. Base models featured mild-bolstered front seats with fabric upholstery, while a leather-wrapped interior was available. Furthermore, a set of high-bolstered seats was also on the options list. Fronting the driver was an instrument cluster featuring two binocular-styled dials that housed the rev counter and the coolant temperature gauges on the left, while the speedometer and the fuel level gauges filled the right side of the panel. A TFT display for the car's onboard computer took center stage. Atop the center stack, Audi installed a color screen for the infotainment system that could be controlled via a rotary knob on the center console.

Under the hood, besides the top-performing S5, the car manufacturer installed a choice of diesel and gasoline engines, ranging between 170 PS (168 hp) and 265 PS (261 hp). They were paired with either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission with six, seven, or even eight forward gears. The power went to the front wheels only, or in all corners, via an electronically controlled quattro all-wheel drive system (quattro).