CHANGES FOR 2013:
-new V8-powered RS5
-S5 gets supercharged V6
-new front-end styling, with updated LED daytime running light (DRL) design, and available redesigned LED taillights
-A5 Cabriolet roof incorporates new LED rear-seat lights
-Audi Connect adds Google Earth integration
-electric power steering in all models
-new centre differential for RS5 and S5 with optional S tronic transmission
-three-zone climate control standard in all models
-static cornering lamp added to adaptive (steerable) headlights
-new driver assist package includes adaptive cruise, side assist and dynamic steering
-flat-bottom steering wheel available in A5, standard in S5 and RS5
-Navigation adds Audi connect and Bluetooth streaming audi (optional in all models)
Like the A4 sedan it shares a platform with, for 2013, the 2+2 A5/S5 two-door Coupes receive subtly narrower headlights (with a distinctive LED pattern), slightly revised taillights, a more chiseled look to the front grille, interior refinements, plus steering and suspension tweaks. Surprisingly, the A5’s 211-hp turbocharged 2.0L I4 hustles the all-wheel-drive coupe almost as quickly as rivals with six cylinders, while sipping a lot less fuel in the process. Either a six-speed manual or Tiptronic automatic with eight gears is available. With the new-this-year RS5 Coupe getting V8 power, the refreshed-for-2013 S5 Coupe resorts to the 333-hp supercharged 3.0L V6 and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission it shares with the S5 Cabriolet model.
Introduced in 2010, Audi went “old school” by eschewing a retractable metal hardtop in favour of a traditional cloth top for its new A5 2+2 Cabriolet. Going this route gains more space in the trunk than a folding metal roof, Audi says. For 2013, the convertibles receive mid-cycle upgrades. Like the A5 Coupe the convertible is based upon, the Cabriolet is still powered by a 211-hp 2.0L turbo I4, mated to a mandatory eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive. The S5 version gets a 333-hp supercharged V6. A painted grille with chrome inserts, ‘blades’ on front and rear fascias, and quad exhaust tips also help distinguish the S5 from the A5 convertible.
Audi’s fetching coupe gets muscled up with the highly technical RS5 variant. The heart of the matter is a spectacular 450-hp 4.2L naturally aspirated direct-injection V8 that spins to 8,500 rpm and makes all the right noises. Bestowed with all-wheel-drive, rear sport differential and seven-speed twin-clutch tranny, this luxurious four-seater can cover ground very rapidly and with great security. Just about every dynamic parameter is adjustable, but it still can’t match the BMW M3 for balance and poetic grace at speed.
The A5 coupe line starts in Premium trim, with 18-inch wheels, Audi concert stereo, driver information system with trip computer, eight-way power front seats with driver four-way power lumbar, leather seats, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, three-zone climate control, split-folding rear seat and sunroof.
Premium Plus trim adds Xenon headlights and LED DRLs and taillights and automatic headlight levelling, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, auto-dimming heated outside mirrors, Bluetooth, Audi music interface with iPod cable, Homelink garage door opener, driver seat memory and heated front seats.
Top-trim Prestige models add steerable headlights, intelligent keyless entry, navigation, Audi side assist and a Bang & Olufsen stereo.
The A5 Cabriolet comes with standard features similar to the coupe, but adds (obviously) a multi-layer convertible top with rear window defroster and a wind blocker.
S5 models starts in Premium Plus trim, with 18-inch wheels, Audi music interface with iPod cable, premium stereo and satellite radio, Xenon headlights and LED DRLs and taillights, auto-dimming interior mirror with compass, auto-dimming heated outside mirrors, brushed aluminum interior trim, colour driver information centre and trip computer, Homelink, 12-way power and heated front seats with driver memory, Bluetooth, flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles (with automatic transmission), leather/alcantara sport seats, split-folding rear seat, sport suspension and brakes, three-zone climate control and sunroof.
Prestige trim adds steerable headlights, intelligent keyless entry, navigation with MMI controller, side assist and Bang & Olufsen stereo.
S5 Cabriolet models add a wind blocker in Premium Plus trim.
The new RS5 comes in a single trim, with trim-specific body kit, 19-inch wheels, Audi drive select, Audi music interface with iPod cable, concert radio with satellite receiver, Xenon headlights with LED DRLs and taillights, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, auto-dimming heated outside mirrors, carbon fibre inlays, colour driver information system with trip computer, Homelink, heated twelve-way power front seats with driver memory, Bluetooth, flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles, steerable headlights, intelligent keyless entry, headlight washers, nappa leather sport seats, spare tire delete package with tire sealant and mobility kit, split-folding rear seat, RS-specific sport suspension and brakes, three-zone climate control, sunroof, sport different, front and rear acoustic parking sensors and a 280-km/h top-speed limiter.
All A5 Premium models can be optioned with a convenience package of Bluetooth, Homelink and Audi music interface with iPod cable, and a lighting package of Xenon headlights with LED DRLs and taillights, and automatic headlight levelling.
To Premium Plus trim, a navigation package adds navigation, CD/DVD player and HD, colour driver information system, park assist with backup camera, Audi MMI control system and Audi connect.
Premium Plus and Prestige trims can add a sport package of sport seats, four-way driver and passenger power lumbar, sport suspension and shift paddles (with automatic transmission).
Add the S line group to Prestige models to get sport suspension, 19-inch wheels, unique exterior trim, alcantara/leather sport seats, aluminum interior trim, black cloth headliner, flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles (with automatic transmission) and four-way driver and passenger power lumbar.
Prestige trim can also be optioned with a driver assist package of adaptive cruise control, dynamic steering and Audi drive select.
Stand-alone extras include heated front seats, unique 18- and 19-inch wheels, wood trim, intelligent keyless entry, Bang & Olufsen stereo and power rear-window sunshade.
Convertible options echo those of the sedan, save for the availability of a comfort package on Premium Plus and Prestige models, which adds neck-level heating, four-way driver and passenger power lumbar and upgraded leather seats with heating and cooling functions.
S5 options include a Premium Plus navigation package of navigation, MMI controller, park assist with backup camera, Audi connect and CD/DVD player with HD radio.
Prestige trim can add a driver assist package of adaptive cruise control, dynamic steering and Audi drive select.
Premium Plus and Prestige trims can be optioned with sports differential (drive select and torque-vectoring rear differential), adaptive suspension, nappa leather and 19-inch wheels and carbon atlas or stainless steel mesh inlays.
Prestige models can be had with a Bang & Olufsen stereo and intelligent keyless entry as stand-alone extras.
The S5 Cabriolet can be optioned with a comfort package of neck-level heating and upgraded leather seats with heating and cooling functions.
RS5 options include a navigation package that bundles navigation, Bang & Olufsen stereo, CD/DVD player with HD radio, backup camera, MMI controller and Audi connect.
The driver assist package adds adaptive cruise, Audi side assist and dynamic steering.
A Titanium package includes unique mirror housings, gloss- and flat-black exterior trim and 20-inch wheels.
Those wheels are also a stand-alone extra, along with ceramic front brakes, leather/alcantara sport seats, power rear sunshade and a variety of interior and exterior trim options.
