2011 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0L TDI quattro 7AT (190 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Audi refreshed the entire A5 family and launched it at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show for the 2012 model year, and the top-seller of the lineup was the five-door Sportback.

When the German automaker introduced the A5 in its family, it started with a long-awaited two-door coupe in 2007. Then, the five-door Sportback came and became an instant hit on the market. It was built on the same platform as the A4 and provided enough room for four adults and luggage space. Furthermore, the four-door coupe shape of the vehicle was convincing. Unfortunately, the model was launched during the world financial crisis, which damaged sales. But still, it became a darling for many since it was an excellent blend between a family sedan and a sporty-looking coupe. With the refreshed 2012 model year, the A5 Sportback became an even better alternative to regular sedans.

At the front, the automaker revamped the vehicle. It introduced new headlights that featured frame-style LED daytime running lights, replacing the previously used ones underlining them. The singleframe grille between them had a crisper look and was adorned by new horizontal slats with slim double chromed lines. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker placed new side scoops that accommodated flat, rectangular fog lamps instead of the round ones used for the 2009 model year.

Audi didn’t consider making significant changes to the car’s profile. Still, a keen eye for detail could notice that the 2012 Audi A5 Sportback had slightly longer bumpers, which increased the length by 10 millimeters (0.4 inches). However, it installed 18-inch alloy wheels instead of the 17-inch ones, improving the car’s sporty look. The crisp lower line on the doors also added more flair to the vehicle, making customers forget that under the skin was a regular Audi A4 sedan. Out back, Audi offered the option for new taillights with continuous LED stripes for the parking lights and turn signals.

However, the cabin was vastly improved. The driver fronted a new instrument cluster featuring clear dials with sharper numbers on the speedometer and tachometer. In addition, the TFT display between them was crisp and easier to read than the LCD one used on the non-facelifted version of the car. In addition, the 2012 Audi A5 Sportback was available with a fresh infotainment system placed atop the center stack. The car manufacturer learned from its mistakes and re-arranged the center console, thus reducing the number of buttons while making the layout more easy to operate. In the back, there was still room for two occupants on the split-folding (60/40) bench seat, even though the automaker put three headrests on the seatback.

Under the hood, the 2012 Audi A5 Sportback was powered by a range of gasoline and diesel engines, all turbocharged and featuring direct fuel injection. Furthermore, the car manufacturer ditched the classic automatic transmission versions, leaving customers only with manuals, dual-clutch, and CVTs. Fortunately, the quattro all-wheel drive option was still available for most of them, while higher-powered versions were fitted with traction on all corners as standard.