Just a couple of months ago, Audi got the whole world excited with their announcement of the 2018 Audi RS5; for most, it was seen as the long-awaited rival to BMW’s M4. However, Audi fanatics can get excited once again after a sports coupe packed with more power and style has been announced by ABT Sportsline.
As you may know, the RS5 was announced to have 450 horsepower thanks to the superb new twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6. For most owners, this is perfectly fine but apparently ABT Sportsline, a tuning company from Germany, didn't quite agree and decided to go ahead and boost this even higher.
After taking your RS5 to the company and having the package fitted, the available horsepower will increase from 450 to 510; additionally, the lb-ft of torque also boosts from 443 to 502. Just in case you were feeling let down by the standard RS5 (which is unlikely!), the German company is willing to install the package for around $5,600. Although we don’t yet have our hands on any performance figures, you can be confident that the increased power leads to increased speed.
With the standard RS5 model, the speed is nothing short of astonishing with the 0-62mph test being achieved in under four seconds. What’s more, the top speed is well above 150mph but this can be increased by around 20mph if you choose the additional R5 Dynamic Package. However, the good news doesn’t end there…
Appearance - As well as the seemingly fantastic increase in performance the package offers, ABT Sportsline is also offering a number of 20-inch alloys in addition to integrated LED entrance light doors. If you haven’t seen these before, they’re mounted in the door and will project the logo of the tuner onto the floor when in action. With all this in mind, it’s fair to say ABT Sportsline has been hard at work ever since the announcement. According to a representative at ABT, the company always works hard to provide driver with the best experience and they also stated that we shouldn't expect this to be the last package they offer for the latest 2018 Audi model. In case you missed the announcement, the RS5 should now be available to order right across Europe and the US for around $85,000. While thinking about the new RS5, it got us thinking about the bigger picture and the full A5 range. With 2017 being the tenth anniversary of the Audi A5, what better time than now to go through their current range and appreciate how far they’ve come over the past decade?
2018 A5 Sportback
Available at around $42,000, the A5 Sportback offers a four cylinder engine, 252 horsepower, seven-speed S ironic dual-clutch automatic transmission, and 34 highway miles to the gallon. However, the Sportback isn't just all about performance since they introduced a new design and one that’s sure to catch the eye as you drive about town. For starters, the sloping roofline has been extended in their attempt to ‘push the idea of a coupe further’. After this, Audi also stretched the wheelbase but the model still looks as beautiful as ever before.
If you like to immerse yourself in the technology within a car, get ready to play with the A5 Sportback because they’ve included an extensive infotainment system. With a virtual cockpit, you can customize every inch of information including the audio, navigation, and even Google Earth. Additionally, you can connect your iOS or Android device to take advantage of various other features. So you aren't distracted from driving, the system can be controlled using your voice and steering wheel as well as the MMI interface.
Finally, we can’t move on to the next model without spending a little time discussing Audi Pre-Sense Basic. If the vehicle shows signs of an impending accident, the pre-sense system kicks in and closes the side windows and sunroof, prepares the brakes for a faster response, and prepares the front safety belts. With this in mind, this is set to be one of the most popular models for all safety-conscious drivers and for good reason too.
2018 A5 Coupe
Available at around $42,000 once again, the 2018 A5 Coupe has been given a facelift on the outside while keeping the traditions and classic features that make the Coupe so popular. Boasting 252 horsepower, this athletic model has also had the interior improved and, if you’ve had contact with any previous models, it won’t be long before you see the difference.
As with most models these days, Audi has equipped the A5 Coupe with the quattro all-wheel drive system which means power is sent to each of the four wheels to provide the best possible grip and therefore improve handling for the user. Regardless of the weather conditions, the six-speed manual transmission will be easy to handle and the included technology will also create shifts in power depending on the demands of the driver or the conditions of the road.
What good is a car without an engine? Thanks to a 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft torque count, you’ll reach 60mph within six seconds. However, the all-wheel drive system ensures that you have control at all times. In a feature that has perhaps gone under the radar somewhat, Audi has also lost some weight from the main shell of the car which leads to improved driving dynamics. Suddenly, agility is a key feature even with the power and speed we saw previously.
All in all, the 2018 A5 Coupe is a big improvement on previous models and we’re sure it will see success towards the end of this year and throughout next.
2018 A5 Cabriolet
Unique by design, unique driving experience for all; the A5 Cabriolet allows you to drive with the roof down to enjoy the sunny weather. In the winter, simply leave the hood up and drive as normal. In the past, these ‘convertible’ type cars have always looked behind the times somewhat in appearance. However, Audi has brought the convertible into the 21st century with a sleek design and a range of stunning colors.
Starting at just under $50,000, the Cabriolet can each 60mph in six seconds flat thanks to a four-cylinder engine and 252 horsepower. Although it can only seat four people, it’ll reach 34 highway miles (24 city miles) to the gallon without a problem. In layman’s terms, it looks stunning both on the outside and inside. Despite being unique with the retractable roof, it doesn’t lose any of its Audi charm and it’s certain to catch a few glances.
In terms of 2018 models in the A5 range, these will be the four main options and they all offer their unique features. However, they also boast some very useful similarities as you can see below!
Key Audi Features and Benefits
Customization - First and foremost, Audi is one of the best car manufacturers around when it comes to customization. In fact, you can build your own model from top to bottom on their superb website. To get started, simply choose a model and you’ll be faced with numerous trims. Along with the standard trim, you can select Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.
From here, you’ll launch into a customization tool where you can play with the color, seats, interior colors, decorative inlays, wheels, and more. If you like the look of a pre-arranged package, you can pay a little extra for this too. With each Audi model, the personalization options will be slightly different and it means that you can have an entirely unique model.
Whenever the word ‘customization’ is used, the attention seems to fall straight to the color so let’s take a little look at this. Using the Cabriolet as an example, you’ll find 11 different colors including Matador Red, Glacier White, Gotland Green, Monsoon Gray, Scuba Blue, and Moonlight Blue.
Technology - Although most car manufacturers seem to incorporate technology into their models in some way, it seems as though Audi always go above and beyond and this is beneficial to performance as well as safety. Mainly, this comes in the form of the infotainment system which offers GPS, a virtual cockpit, and an opportunity to link up with your iOS or Android device; with this linked, you can take messages and receive calls hands-free. Even after this, there are numerous safety features we can’t even list (otherwise you’ll be reading all day). As a key example, we saw the Pre-Sense System earlier and how effective this can be.
Handling - Finally, the quattro all-wheel drive system is the cherry on the cake because this allows for comfortable driving no matter where you are in the world and regardless of how treacherous the conditions may be. With the weight and power being split evenly between the four wheels, everything should come together to create a relaxing and comfortable drive.
Summary
All things considered, there’s a lot to be excited about in the coming months for all those who appreciate the Audi A5 range. With news of the ABT Sportsline package upgrade, 2018 could just be the year of the A5 and the fact ABT is still working on more packages makes it hard to keep the smile from our faces!
Image source https://goo.gl/rkXAh2
Tags: Audi A5, Audi, Audi S5, Audi RS 5, Breaking News, Specs, Tuning