When the original Audi A5 was launched nine years ago, former Audi chief designer Walter de Silva called it “the most beautiful car I’ve ever designed.” Remarkable words, considering the Italian’s impressive design portfolio. Perhaps that’s why Audi’s current design team decided to stick as closely to the predecessor’s styling language as possible.
The new A5 has been entirely redesigned and it shares not a single piece of sheetmetal with its predecessor. It’s based on Audi’s MLB Evo platform?and the new architecture allows for a plethora of cutting-edge driver-assistance and telematics systems; a fully equipped A5 has the content of an upper-luxury vehicle. Inside, the A5 can be fitted with fully electronic instrumentation in the form of a TFT screen; the slim and futuristic dashboard is shared with the A4, and that’s a good thing.
Its maker claims the new coupe is lighter than the predecessor by up to 132 pounds, despite added content, which should make the A5  even more agile than the outgoing model, particularly when equipped with the optional dynamic steering system and the available “sports differential.” In the U.S., power likely will come from a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injected four-cylinder, rated at 252 hp and paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Above that, we believe that Audi will offer the 354-hp S5 powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 with a twin-scroll turbo and mated to an ei...