Audi A5

By Tim Pollard

Motor Shows

08 March 2007 09:57

Audi A5 heralds new A4

Audi's new A5 coupe will form the basis for the new A4 due to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show this autumn. Expect to see the two-door's sleek look transferred to the regular saloon, with the taut waistline and nose treatment essentially carried over. The A5 is Audi's new mid-sized coupe and it's aimed squarely at the likes of the BMW 3-series coupe and Mercedes CLK. As well as providing pointers to the look of the next A4, it ushers in a new engineering package, with a 'front-mid' installation for better weight distribution.

Yes. Audi has long relied on front-wheel drive, and the new installation on the A5 is designed to improve the handling so its cars don't feel quite so stodgy through corners. The wheelbase is stretched, pushing the front axle forwards and the engine back, you see. It's a construction system that will be repeated on the next iteration of the A4, A6 and A8. Bearing in mind that Audi has been on form recently with the R8 supercar, TT coupe and RS4 sports saloon, we're hopeful that they've cracked the handling question at long last.

By Tim Pollard