Category: a5

Deep Dive: Audi A5 vs Audi A7 Comparo

Audi A5 vs Audi A7

Both the A5 and the A7 are stunning examples of the hatchback platform. But is one inherently better?

As generations of commuters, college students, and enthusiasts know, the hatchback is one of the most versatile vehicle configurations available. But while it might have its roots in practicality and cargo space optimization, for many of us, it’s also inherently pretty platform. That said, it’s hard to imagine executions of the concept which aim higher—and deliver more aesthetically—than Audi’s A5 and the A7. Both are design masterpieces, and in this new video, Thomas Majchrzak from Autogefühl provides a comprehensive comparison of the models.

And when I say comprehensive? I’m not kidding. At nearly 40 minutes long, there’s basically nothing Majchrzak doesn’t go over with a fine-tooth comb here. So If you’re considering either one of these vehicles, I’d say this breakdown of character traits and features is a fantastic place to start. It also led to some eye-opening realizations for me, not the least of which is the fact that in its native Germany, the A7 — which starts at a whopping $70K on this side of the Pond—doesn’t even come with a standard backup camera. Seriously Audi? How does that happen?

Now obviously, there’s a big price difference between these two machines. As Majchrzak explains toward the end of the comparison the difference is about $25k — which is not an insignificant amount of coin. Personally though, I appreciate that while there might be a wide delta between the MSRP for these vehicles, from a looks perspective, these cars are close enough to be negligible. Both are stunning examples of a modern sedan, and both make me wish we saw more traditional cars, and less SUVs and crossovers on the road. Because as I always like to say? If you want car-like handling, it really helps to start with a car.

If I were given the choice, and cost wasn’t a factor, I’d likely go with the A5, mostly because I like the proportions a hair better, and since I live in a dense urban environment, I’d appreciate the smaller footprint too. But what do you think? Watch the whole video below, or just use the handy chapter reference in the comments to skip around to the parts you’re particularly interested in. Regardless of which Audi is tops in your book, give me a shout and let me know what you think!

Photos: YouTube

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2023 Audi RS 5 Coupe And Sportback Get New Competition Package

2023 Audi RS 5 Coupe And Sportback

Audi Sport’s new Competition Package for the 2023 Audi RS 5 Coupe and Sportback will cost you $16,100.

Customers in the United States can now buy more extreme versions of the 2023 Audi RS 5. The automaker’s new competition package for the RS 5 Coupe and RS 5 Sportback recently made its world debut. For the 2023 model year in the US, Audi Sport offers both technical and visual improvements exclusive to these two models.

Buyers can opt for the Competition package from the Ingolstadt automaker’s performance division for just $16,100. We expect the company to start accepting orders starting next month. Prices for the Audi RS 5 Coupe start at $75,900, whereas the Sportback version gets an MSRP of $76,200. Audi Sport now offers the models within a new sports exhaust system on the performance front.

In addition to lesser insulation between the cabin and the engine bay, the new exhaust also flaunts matte black tailpipes. The exhaust also reduces the overall weight by 18 lbs and delivers a more aggressive exhaust note. With the new package, the 2023 RS 5 coupe can hit the 60 MPH mark from a complete standstill in 3.7 seconds.

Audi Sport's new Competition package for the 2023 Audi RS 5 Coupe and Sportback will cost you $16,100.

2023 Audi RS 5 Coupe and Sportback can achieve a top speed of 180 MPH with the new competition package.

The Sportback variant with its 444 HP bi-turbo V6 powerplant can make the same run in 3.8 seconds in the same configuration. In the dynamic driving mode, the fine-tuning of the engine control software allows it to make tighter load changes with the S transmission mode. The new RS twins also sit much closer to the track as the company has reduced the ground clearance by 10 mm over stock models.

Furthermore, the driver can also manually reduce the ride height by an additional 10 mm. The cars ride on a coilover suspension setup with a front sway bar. The vehicles come complete with sharper steering, and the quattro sport rear differential also gets enhancements. According to the company, the RS ceramic front brakes reduce the stopping distance of the new RS models by 6.5 feet (from 62 MPH). For this reason, Audi Sport also made enhancements to the ABS and the transmission control unit.

Image Source: Audi

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Audi Announces 2023 Model Year Updates For the US

2023 Model

The German automaker will be expanding its EV lineup later this year. Audi is now updating its US product portfolio for the 2023 model year.

The Ingolstadt brand is introducing the 2023 model year for the United States. Audi’s 2023 MY lineup will get a slew of minor and major updates across the company’s portfolio. Every single Audi model now gets additional standard and optional equipment. These include the entry-level Audi A3 and Q3 variants and the top-of-the-line A8 and Q8 offerings.

Audi will also be expanding its EV portfolio later this year. The automaker will add the Audi Q4 e-tron Q4 Sportback e-tron to its lineup. For now, the 40 and 45 variants of the 2023 Audi A4 get LED headlights with integrated LED DRLs. One will also find a Bang and Olufsen sound system in the Premium Plus trim of the nameplate, and the convenience package for the entire A4 range now gets the adaptive cruise control feature.

Audi is also updating the appearance options for the 2023 A4, including new wheels. In addition to a wide range of equipment, the Premium variant of Audi A6 and S7 now get adaptive cruise control as standard. As part of the Executive package, Audi now offers the 2023 RS7 with a remote park assist feature and a black Dinamica headliner.

Audi Announces 2023 Model Year Updates For the US

For its 2023 model year, the adaptive cruise control feature is standard across all Q5 and SQ5 variants.

November last year, the 2022 Audi A8 facelift made its world debut. As a result of this, the 2023 update now gets only minor updates across the range. Audi A8 customers opting for the German automaker’s Comfort Plus package will now get HD matrix design LED headlights. Audi will now offer the high-octane S8 version with a Valcona leather interior.

SUVs and crossovers are the best-selling body types in the market right now. Nevertheless, Audi did not refrain from updating its range for the 2023 model year. The automaker’s Q3 nameplate now gets a wireless phone charging pad and LED headlights with LED daytime running lights as standard across the lineup.

The company also offers an optional appearance package for the 40 and 45 variants of the Q3, which gets new wheel options. Perhaps one of the most significant changes for the 2023 model year is a new entry-level engine option for the Audi Q7. The SUV now gets a 2-liter four-cylinder motor which churns out 261 HP of maximum power.

Lastly, Audi’s flagship Q8 and SQ8 models also get HD matrix design LED headlights and headlight washers as standard for the 2023 model year.

Image source: Audi

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Forget Dieselgate, Audi’s A5 TDI is Efficient, Luxurious, and Sporty

Audi A5 40 TDI quattro

Exorcising Myths — Splendid Turbodiesel is Surely the Pick of Audi’s A5 Bunch (Sorry, US buyers.)

Before we dive into the Audi A5 TDI, let’s talk about good ole Dieselgate. That scandal back when VW cheated emissions on its four-cylinder and V6 turbodiesels in most VWs, Porsches, and Audis an effort to dodge carbon tax breaks.

(They say in racing, that you’re only a cheat if you are caught cheating. Well guess what?)

The VW Group ultimately coughed up $15 billion in fines, among other penalties for its carbon sins. And it’s been doing triple backward somersaults ever since in its efforts to atone. VW promises an all-electric future, has exited combustion motorsports and changed its famous VW logo in deference to its guilt-adopted clean persona. Hell, the US branch even cocked up its April fool’s joke when it released that Voltswagen clanger a few days too soon!

But VW Group Diesel Cars are Back

Audi A5 40 TDI quattro

It’s in the context of an all-electric future when this splendid sky turquoise Audi A5 cropped up for test. Strolling around the back, we were astonished to discover that it’s a 40 TDI version. The diesel may not be on the Audi US A5 range, but it certainly is relevant. Set apart by a ‘tauter, more powerful’ look, the latest A5 is highlighted by a broader, flatter chrome-framed titanium black single Audi trademark grill. And this chunkier S-Line has cool optional 19-inch S contrast wheels.

And it got better. Within a few minutes of taking the wheel, we were mesmerized. Agile yet comfortable, this is a very nice car to drive. It doesn’t feel like a diesel engine. And its diesel torque is beneficial to every aspect of its envelope, making it so very easy to drive, too. It’s great on the open road, where that torquey demeanor would make you almost swear that you’re pedaling a S5.

Audi’s A5 TDI is a Specialist Driving Scalpel

A5 40 TDI

Braking is secure, it turns in beautifully, follows though marvelously, with an aplomb that enhances more confidence at every turn. A little hard on the road in regular driving, that’s all very quickly forgotten. This engine, Audi quattro drive, and a fine chassis conspire to deliver a specialist driving scalpel. There’s no diesel clatter — the engine note is great and the cabin silent. Best of all was a 500-mile range with a few fuel gauge segments already accounted for.

All that happens in a sumptuous, luxurious, and efficient style. Audi’s A5 has typically great cabin that makes a few good haptic touch MMI infotainment improvements to enhance ease of use. The highly connected system has smartphone logic and feel and cleaner graphics via an MIB 3 Communication box with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, free-text input search and natural-language voice control.

Live and integrated Google Earth navigation includes traffic information, destination trading hours, parking availability, and even weather updates. Although certain rivals still offer a little greater versatility in operation, you’d need to try those out and fully understand them to actually know.

Audi A5 TDI Has a Brilliant Virtual Cockpit

A5 40 TDI

Most of that is also controllable via the A5’s chunky multifunction steering wheel, which also selects the brilliant full-HD display Audi virtual cockpit’s three instrumentation views complimented by a head-up display. Our A5 also packed an optional Audi phone box and splendid Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound.

Audi connect including roadside and emergency assistance is however standard. This crucial piece of fresh motoring technology likely saved the life of a friend. He was unfortunate enough to recently suffer a violent crash. Dazed and hurt, he was shocked to hear someone asking whether he was OK, within seconds of impact. It was the response center communicating via the stricken car’s audio system. His cry for help and the urgent response to that call probably saved his life.

But the most amazing aspect of this particular A5, is how brilliantly it merges a fine Audi quattro grand tourer with a brilliant turbodiesel engine. Not surprisingly considering my introduction above, besides appearing in the price list, Audi’s A5 press release late last year made scant mention of this model. Which is a pity.

Because after driving it, I think it’s the pick of the bunch.

A Hiatus of Development

A5 40 TDI

Worst of all, is that while this 188 hp 295 lb.-ft. engine has now made huge strides since the embarrassment its predecessor caused. When its makers cheated its carbon credentials. So future diesel development is stymied by the rush to electrify and satisfy the wan of a misguided green front. Which I believe misses the point completely.

One day, when all is said and done, I’m convinced that the world will come to rue turbodiesel technology’s hiatus of development. Its engine may very well have been the seed of much that carbon activism in the first place. But if this little secret is anything to go by, the car industry and its carbon controllers have clearly missed a trick.

This 40 TDI is the pick of the Audi A5 bunch. The irony just in that, is palpably embarrassing…

Audi A5 coupe 40TDI quattro S line Test Results

  • Engine: 188 hp 295 lb.-ft. 2-litre turbodiesel I4
  • Drive:7-speed automatic AWD

TESTED

  • 0-40 mph: 2.85 sec
  • 0-60 mph: 6.52 sec
  • 0-75 mph: 9.61 sec
  • 0-100 mph: 17.45 sec
  • 1/4-mile: 14.8 sec @ 93 mph
  • 50-75 mph: 5.10 sec
  • 75-100 mph: 7.96 sec

CLAIMED

  • VMax: 140 mph
  • Fuel: 39.2 mpg
  • CO2: 158 g/km

Images: Michele Lupini

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Audi Announces New Function on Demand Subscriptions for Select Models

Audi Announces New Function on Demand Subscriptions for Select Models

Function on Demand allows post-purchase upgrades for certain options like MMI Nav, Wi-Fi, or Light Function.

Audi has announced that the 2021 Q5, Q5 Sportback, A4, and A5 range will be the first models to receive the company’s all-new Function on Demand subscription service. The company’s electrified models, the 2021 Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback will also receive a Light Function package, which will be exclusive to the Premium trim levels.

With the Function on Demand subscription, customers can now use the myAudi app to purchase Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Navigation Plus via the all-new myAudi Marketplace option. This will allow drivers to use the service even if their vehicles were not equipped with the option from the factory, which means owners of preowned Audis can also avail company’s new service. Audi’s MMI Navigation Plus feature via Function on Demand now includes Audi connect PLUS with Full-Speed Wi-Fi.

According to Audi, “MMI Navigation plus bundled with Audi connect PLUS with Full-Speed Wi-Fi™, unlocks Audi’s vibrant and immersive satellite navigation for customers looking for short-term road trip functionality or to help customers make their Audi more perfect for them.”

Audi Announces New Function on Demand Subscriptions for Select Models

The MMI Navigation Plus feature is available for a monthly purchase price of $84.99 or a 12-month subscription fee of $849.99 (~$70.83). This feature also allows the occupants to pair up to 8 compatible devices and stream videos using the onboard 4G LTE WiFi network. As part of Audi Connect Plus, customers will get all Audi Connect Prime and Audi Connect Care features.

Audi claims, “Function on Demand opens up the full Audi navigation experience, complete with a real-life satellite view, natural speech recognition controls that learn language, handwriting recognition on the newly enlarged 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen and all other services included in the CARE, PRIME, and PLUS packages for these models.”

The Premium trim levels of 2021 Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback models, on the other hand, can now be equipped with the Light Function Package. This includes features like Turning Lights which offer lateral illumination and are activated as soon as the driver uses the turn signals. The package also offers Maneuvering light and Dynamic cornering light features. The former “Illuminates maneuvering area laterally in front when reversing” and the latter follows the steering to offer illumination when the vehicle is cornering.

Customers, who opted for Premium trim models of Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback can subscribe to the Light Function Package for a one-time fee of $259.99. Audi has also revealed that it will announce additional Function on Demand features and models in the future.

Image Source: Audi

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