Vehicle: 2010 Audi A5 2.0T Quattro S-Tronic Quattro Sportback
Price as tested: CDN$47500 (Estimated)

Handling: Given B8 chassis’s dynamic capabilities already hard-to-fault in both A4 and Q5, Audi has taken it a step forward with the introduction of the A5 Sportback. The newfound B8 platform is not only much more balanced, thanks to moving the engine closer to the middle of the entire car. Its rear-bias 40/60 Torsen Quattro have given the already dynamically impressed car a more pleasant drive in bad weather. Although our tester only comes with standard suspension without the Audi Drive Select and Sport Differential, it handles extremely well through the corners. The steering is sharp and precise without feeling too twitchy. On the other hand, the standard suspension is comfortably compliant which absorbs all the bumps and roughness exceptionally well. What makes us impressed is the stiffer setting over the equivalent A4 has made A5 Sportback an even sportier drive without losing any ride comfort. Body rolls are very well-controlled while understeer and oversteer are minimal when pushed. ESP only steps in when necessary, which is the sort of electronic stability control that every driving enthuisasts wish for. Perhaps all cars should handle this well. If the A4 is considered as one of the most superb handlers in the sports sedan and wagon segments, A5 Sportback has to be judged as the best handling hatchback anywhere in the market. And that is only with the standard suspension. Just imagine how sweet the A5 Sportback is with the optional S-Line sports suspension, Audi Drive Select and Sport Differential. The latters have proven to be a dream with the new S4, a sports sedan that is great enough to earn Directshift’s 2010 Car of the Year.

Performance: You can have 211hp 2.0T as our tester, or upgrade to 265hp 3.2 liter V6. If you have more disposable income, S5′s amazing 333hp 3.0 liter supercharged engine would serve you exceptionally well. As the case with our tester. We have already liked this 211hp and 265 lb/ft of torque turbo engine a lot with the A4 and A5 Cabriolet. What makes this powertrain different is the available of 7-speed S-Tronic in European market. While the North American market dictates the use of 6-speed Tiptronic because they felt Direct Shift Gearbox as too complicated for our market taste. The rest of the world’s A4, A5 and Q5 already got the famed S-Tronic as an option with the Quattro AWD system. This 7-speed S-Tronic not only shifts quicker than any manual gearbox while bipping the clutch quicker than any forumla one racer, it doesn’t lose anything when it comes to fuel economy. All these combined have moved 1500kg of German leather-lined of luxury with authority. The shifting quality equals those of any traditional auto geabox while going both up and downshifts. The icing of the cake is the paddle shifters on the steering. It allows for a quick downshift before enterting a corner even when driven in “D” mode. With the “S” or sport mode, any enthuisast can push this 2.0 liter turbocharged engine more eagerly while up and downshifts at higher rpm. As the old saying goes “how sweet is it?”.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, the A5 Sportback stops as good as it handles. The stopping distance is short and pedal always feels alive. Even after a couple of hard stops, the pedal remains crisp and responsive. The ABS only steps in necessarily is an added bonus.

Interior: Slip behind the wheel of the A5 Sportback, you got everything you expect from Audi. It all begins with class-leading interior materials in the cabin. All the surfaces are finished in world-class plastic materials that are soft to the touch. The leather seats are tailored for all sizes, as its 8-way power adjustable seats are easy to adjust. There is tilt and telescope steering wheel for all sizes. Its a car that fits all sizes. The MMI-1 in our tester can custom any settings right from basic auto climate control to parking sensors.

Although A5 Sportback’s headroom isn’t as spacious as those of an A4 sedan and Avant. The headroom is spacious while legroom is equally accommodating. A5 Sportback’s rear vents received the same cold and hot air selection for passengers. Its a small thing. But its always been the smallest thing that makes the biggest difference.

The biggest highlight to the whole Sportback is the hatchback versatility. It all begins with the low liftover for easy loading, then add the 40/60 split fold down rear seats for added practicality. Without the rear seats fold down, this Sportback has 480 liters of cargo space. When it all folds down, it has 980 liters which is astounishing in this class of hatchback. What makes the cargo space so impressive is the squared side cut-off despite of the sloppy C-pillars for sleek profile. The whole flat floor is an added bonus to A5′s well-executed interior layout.

Conclusion: The new A5 Sportback redefines the standard of mid-size hatchback. All it stands. It sets the standard when it comes to versatility, performance, dynamic ability and build quality, while everything wrap up in a tastefully attired package that is very much Audi style. If I were Audi, I would start to worry about the sales of A4. As it will surely take away some A4 sedan sales with its sleeker looks and additional cargo space, especially for those who don’t want to be seen in a wagon even if one looks as pretty as an A4 Avant.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Audi A5 Sportback
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Performance: 4.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5