Audi A5 Avant: hi-tech, electrified and dynamic wagon
The four-ring model is the successor to the A4 and is an efficient alternative to suvs thanks to its 204 hp turbodiesel hybrid
2' min read
2' min read
It's called the Audi A5 and it arrives on the road with a challenging task: to take the baton from an iconic model like the A4, sold for 30 years, and take its contents to the next level. Because in addition to the name change dictated by the division between 100% electric and hybrid models (with even numbers for the lithium-ion cars and odd numbers for those with pistons under the bonnet), the A5 Avant raises the bar in all respects compared to the past.
Increased by 7 centimetres to 4.83 metres in length and 1.86 in width, it is based on the PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) platform developed for cars with a longitudinal front combustion engine. Characterised by a sportier image, from the very first glance it anticipates the dynamic novelties that await us at the wheel. Because now the A5 Avant seems to have closed that dynamic gap with its Munich rivals, thanks to steering that is decidedly more communicative than in the past and a set-up designed for sporty driving. All while remaining 'easy' and comfortable when sportiness takes second place.
Another profound leap compared to the A4 comes from the cabin, where we find the interior already appreciated on the Q6 e-tron with the three screens filling the entire dashboard. In detail, there is an 11.9" digital instrumentation in front of the driver, a head-up display, a 14.5" screen with a curved panel from which to manage the Mmi infotainment system and a third 10.9" touch screen in front of the passenger. And even on the A5 we appreciate the presence of physical controls, such as the volume wheel or the buttons on the door panels. Because Tesla's all-touch may have the wow effect, but in reality Audi's solution reduces distractions and improves the use of controls.
Also from the Q6 e-tron come second-generation Oled headlamps, with eight light signatures if you opt for Matrix Led and those at the rear thanks to 60 light segments are able to communicate with other cars and pedestrians through Car to x technology and graphics reproduced directly on the headlamp. Tested in the 204 bhp 2.0 Tdi version with 400 Nm of torque in combination with Quattro traction and the S tronic double clutch gearbox, the A5 Avant convinced us by the operation of the 48 volt hybrid system with a 1.7 kWh battery that adds 24 bhp and 230 Nm thanks to the Ptg (Powertrain Generator) unit and can recover up to 25 kW of energy during braking.
Whenever possible, the car starts in all-electric mode and the switch to thermal always felt smooth. In Roman traffic and the Lazio countryside, the A5 Avant was appreciated for its overall balance, driver assistance and high build quality. Prices start at around 60,000 euros.
