test drive Audi A5 3.0 TDI: innovator
The Audi A5 is not just another new coupe on the market. The technology of this car demonstrates innovative solutions that have not yet become standard for Audi models. Test of a three-liter turbodiesel version with a Quattro all-wheel drive system.
After 11 years of silence, Audi is back in the middle class segment. Moreover, the A5 shows in which direction the company's efforts will be directed when creating new models - the key words here are emotions, fuel economy and optimized weight distribution between the two axles.
Now we have the latest work of Walter de Silva with the A5 index - a dynamic, but at the same time impressive car with an impressively confident posture. The front end is dominated by the slatted radiator grille that has become a hallmark of Audi and the LED headlights, a first for this class. LED technology is also used in the brake lights and even in the extra turn signals built into the rear view mirrors. The silhouette of the car is distinguished by the lateral “bend” introduced for the first time in the company’s model, which continues along the entire length of the body. An extremely interesting stylistic device can be seen in the design of the roof lines and side windows - the original solution gives a serious dose of aristocracy to the appearance of the A5. The rear is wide and extremely massive, and especially given that three-quarters of the middle class coupes look significantly larger than they actually are, when asked if this was the desired effect or not, Monsieur de Silva is still silent.
Without pretending to rediscover hot water, the A5 does a good job of pleasing each of the driver's senses without being intrusive. For example, the pilot-oriented center console is not a positive innovation in the automotive industry, but it has proved successful and has had a huge impact. Ergonomics are impeccable, despite the monstrous number of various options that the test machine could boast of. The design lacks unnecessary details and lines, the atmosphere in the cabin is distinguished by a refined sporty taste and at the same time is cozy and fully worthy of a sporty-elegant high-class coupe. The quality of materials and workmanship can easily set an example for any of this car's direct competitors - in these two disciplines Audi clearly stands as the absolute leader in the upper mid-range segment. Decorative applications in the interior at the choice of the buyer can be made of aluminum, various types of precious woods, carbon or stainless steel, and the range of leather upholstery also looks impressive.
The seating position is close to perfect, the same goes for the comfort of working with the steering wheel, gear lever and pedals. In terms of functionality, this Audi model performs fantastic, and especially at the front, a conclusion that even people who are well above average can confirm. In the rear seats, you can enjoy quite satisfactory living space if the “colleagues” in the front seats show some understanding and do not go too far back.
The 12-litre turbodiesel engine also contributes significantly to the overall sense of harmony. Not only does it operate with amazing fluidity and acoustically simply cannot be recognized as a representative of the school of Rudolf Diesel, but it also opens with phenomenal ease and noticeable enthusiasm right up to the red rev limit. The fact that slight vibrations appear at high speeds cannot overshadow the excellent driving experience. The thrust generated by the six-cylinder engine provides dynamic performance that until a few years ago was considered completely unattainable for diesel cars. Acceleration and elasticity are at the level of a racing sports car - but at a price that can not help but make you smile smugly at the gas station. Outside the city, fuel consumption values of less than seven liters per hundred kilometers are easily achieved, and in this direction, the optimal gear indicator at the moment on the dashboard turns out to be a small but effective trick. Even if you decide to use the “most hostile” way to take advantage of the monstrous power reserve of the drive (which, by the way, is a serious temptation that cannot be resisted for a long time with this car ...), the consumption is unlikely to exceed XNUMX liters per hundred kilometers. .
The steering is surgically precise, the clutch is a joy to use, and the shift lever control can be addictive. And speaking of the gearbox, its tuning to the drive characteristics is excellent, so that due to the literally inexhaustible supply of torque, the pilot at any time can choose whether to drive in low or high gear, as any decision. take it, the thrust is almost the same. In 90% of cases, "going back" a gear or two down is a matter of personal judgment, not real necessity. Even more impressive is that the thrust of the engine under the hood begins to weaken (and only partially ...) only when crossing the border of 200 kilometers per hour (
One of the most important qualities of the new Audi coupe is, without a doubt, how the car follows the wishes of the driver. Driving pleasure, which is traditionally a trademark in this segment, especially for branded vehicles. BMW, here erected on a kind of pedestal. The A5's behavior remains completely neutral even at extremely high lateral accelerations, handling is excellent regardless of the specific situation, and traction could hardly be better. All these subjective conclusions fully confirm the objective results of road behavior tests - the A5 boasts parameters that not only surpass almost all of its competitors, but are also comparable to some representatives of thoroughbred sports models.
The Quattro all-wheel drive system has undergone a number of changes, and the A5 no longer sends traction equally to the two axles, but sends 60 percent of the torque to the rear wheels. However, the changes in the technical concept do not end there - after all, unlike most previous models of the company, the engine does not put so much pressure on the front axle and is shifted back towards the cab, this time the car designers did not have to. use overly stiff front springs. In addition, a front differential was installed in front of the clutch, which allowed the creators of the car to move the front wheels even more. As a result of these measures, the vibrations at the front, which are found on various representatives of the Ingolstadt brand, such as the still current version of the A4, have been virtually eliminated and are now completely a thing of the past.
True to its general character, the A5 grips reasonably tightly on the road, but without excessive rigidity, as a result of which the suspension does not inform passengers about the condition of the road surface with the accuracy of a seismograph, but absorbs bumps smoothly and effectively.
Text: Bozhan Boshnakov
Photo: Miroslav Nikolov
Evaluation
Audi A5 Coupe 3.0 TDI Quattro
The three-liter diesel version of the Audi A5 has practically no significant drawbacks. The combination of fantastic road behavior and a powerful engine with monstrous traction and at the same time low fuel consumption is impressive.
technical details
| Audi A5 Coupe 3.0 TDI Quattro | |
|---|---|
| Working volume | - |
| Power | 176 kW (240 hp) |
| Maximum torque | - |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 6,3 with |
| Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h | 36 m |
| full speed | 250 km / h |
| Average consumption fuel in the test | 9,2 l / 100 km |
| Base Price | 94 086 levov |
