The Audi A5 2015

The Audi A5 is a medium-sized two-door coupe aimed to attract buyers of the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes C-Class coupe. Audi have not changed the design dramatically for seven years, and yet it still remains popular worldwide.

The Audi ‘quattro’ four-wheel-drive system is also available on models lower down the range, so you can enjoy the benefits of extra grip and safer handling in poor weather if you’re willing to pay a bit extra over the standard front-wheel-drive models.

Front-wheel drive also sets the A5 coupe apart from its chief rivals: the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes C-Class coupe are both rear-wheel drive, which arguably makes them better driver’s cars but also more unpredictable in slippery conditions. The A5 also has a choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox or one of two automatics: S tronic and Multitronic. The latter two are a little more expensive, but they’re also more desirable.

The A5 coupe is very comfortable and well-appointed and powered by extremely economical engines.

The 2.0-litre TDI is most popular and is capable of 4.2 litres/100mkms and doing 0-100 kmh in 8.3 seconds.

On the other hand, the S5, equipped with a 3.0-litre petrol engine and Quattro four-wheel drive is capable of doing 0-100 kmh in just 4.9 seconds, and uses 7.7 litres/100 kms.

The S5 is not the only Audi A5 with `Quattro 4 Wheel Drive` as most versions of the A5 coupe are available with Quattro.

Otherwise, the standard A5 is fitted with safe and predictable front-wheel drive, (Mercedes and BMW rivals use sportier rear-wheel drive).

With the Audi A5 there is a choice of manual or automatic gearbox (this is considered more economical and the preferred choice.)

The A5 isn’t the most comfortable coupe in its class and reviewers find the rear seat   cramped for large passengers.

From a safety point of view the A5 is fitted with six airbags, front and rear parking sensors and electronic stability control.

Comments from International Motoring Websites:

1.    “The Audi A5 is based on the more practical A4, meaning it gets all the tried-and-tested technology from that car, as well as stylish looks.”

2.    What Car?

`Coupes don’t come much classier than the A5. It’s just a pity it’s not better to drive.”

3.    Parker’s

“It may not be a radical departure in terms of styling, but it looks purposeful nonetheless.”

The Audi A4 2015

The Audi A4 seats five and comes standard with a turbo-charged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive.

All-wheel drive, a six-speed manual transmission and an eight-speed automatic are available.

The A4 comes in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trims, while the performance-oriented S4 comes in Premium Plus and Prestige trims.

The A4 hasn’t been fully re-designed since 2009.

What has evolved is:

·More fashionable interior

·New petrol and diesel engine line-up

·New Chassis.

Key elements include:

·A wider single-frame grille,

·Newly shaped headlights with revised LED daytime running lights

·A new styled bonnet, larger wheel arches, a flattened roof, new tail-lights featuring Audi’s traditional LED graphics

·A higher boot lid on the sedan.

·New design seats

The new A4 has grown in size, has a 120kg weight reduction, as a result of the hot-formed high-strength steel in the body structure and aluminium being used for body panels and the roof.

Options Available

·A 12.3in digital instrument panel, and an 8.3in monitor

·Inductive charging pad for mobile phones

·Sensor control opening of the luggage compartment

·Bang & Olufsen sound system,

·Tablet-based rear seat entertainment and the latest version Multi Media Interface (MMI) system that features an internet connection.

Safety Features

Audi’s new ‘Pre-Sense City System’ with windscreen camera to monitor the road, which provides an acoustic warning and braking at speeds up to 25mph.

The new A4 now has a choice of three turbo-charged four-cylinder petrol, two four-cylinder diesel and two V6 diesel engines, all featuring EU6 emission compliance.

Engines

·A new 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (replacing the 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine) and can accelerate from 0-100kmh in 8.9 seconds realising a top speed of 210 kmh with combined consumption of 4.9 Litres/100 kms in combination with the optional S tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

·Audi’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine now comes in two states of tune, providing the new A4 2.0 TFSI with ability to achieve 0-100 kmh time of 7.3sec and a top speed of 250 km/h along with figures of 58.8mpg and 114g/km for the former, while the latter boasts a 0-100 km/h time of 5.8sec, a limited 240 km/h top speed,

·Also Audi’s familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit. The former provides 0-100 km/h acceleration of 8.6sec and a 220 km/h top speed. The latter boasts an official 0-100 km/h time of 7.7sec and a 236 kmh top speed.

·Rounding out the new line-up is a 3.0-litre V6 diesel.

Front-wheel drive is standard on all models save for the initial range-topping A4 3.0 TDI.

Four-wheel drive is also optional Gearbox choices include a newly developed six-speed manual on all four-cylinder engines.

Seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic unit is available for the first time on front-wheel drive A4 models and comes as standard on the least powerful of the two 3.0-litre V6 diesels.

The more powerful 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine receives a standard eight-speed automatic featuring a coasting function that idles the engine on a trailing throttle for added fuel saving.

Sporty Audi RS3

If you’re in the market for the fastest compact five-door available, then the Audi RS3 Sportback should be your only choice.

This is a road-legal missile and the undisputed speed king of fast five-door hatchbacks.

Delivering a powerful punch to its competitors is the most powerful of Audi’s famed five-cylinder engine.

Turbo-charged to increase performance, the 2.5-litre petrol unit produces 362bhp and is electronically governed to 250kmh – though 280kmh is possible from a de-restriction at an additional cost. What is more impressive is the Audi’s 0 to 100 kmh at just 4.3 seconds.

Delivering this speed is a seven-speed S-tronic automatic gearbox and Audi’s quattro four-wheel drive system. Both have been tuned to be more responsive, theoretically delivering more fun behind the wheel.

While official efficiency figures of 8.1 litres/100 kms and 189g/km of CO2 best the previous-generation RS3’s 9.1 litres/100 kms and 212g/km statistics.

The quattro system is designed in such a way as to minimize the ‘pushing wide’ into corners with understeer. Wider tires at the front than the back play their part here too, and while the rear wheels can have up to 100 percent of the power sent to them to keep cornering lines in check, seldom does this actually happen.

Sending proportionally more power to the ‘outside’ wheels of a corner now also helps tighten the RS3’s trajectory. Audi’s Drive Select function, switching between different driving modes, impacts the steering, throttle response, gear change points and, where fitted, the adaptive suspension’s compliance.

The RS3 Sportback remains largely unchanged visually- a honeycomb-pattern grille, and gaping chasms cut into the outer edges of the front bumper feed in additional cool air, a rear diffuser with enlarged oval exhaust pipes emerging from either side, and a unique design of 19-inch alloy wheels. Standard LED headlights and 25mm lower suspension are evident.

The RS3 maintains its classiness and solidity, and Audi have no plans to launch a three-door RS3 but has hinted a four-door saloon may eventually go on sale.

Audi’s A3

The Audi A3 Cabriolet is the drop-top version of the A3 saloon with its main rivals being the BMW 2 Series Convertible and the VW Golf Cabriolet.

The new Audi A3 Cabriolet is a four-seater with excellent space for those in the front, but the rear seats offer limited space for passengers.

The interior fitments and interior finish are impeccable and more luxurious than those in a VW Golf Cabriolet. The Audi A3 Cabriolet is fitted with fabric roof and has larger boot space. The folding fabric roof can be lowered in just 18 seconds at speeds of up to 50 kmh.

Another benefit of the Audi A3 is the great range of engines it brings. One has a choice of a very frugal 1.6-litre diesel to an impressively fast 2.0-litre petrol in the S3 Cabriolet.

Being a premium convertible, the Audi gets plenty of equipment as standard. Entry-level cars come with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, DAB digital radio for the eight-speaker stereo and air-conditioning. All A3 Cabriolets come with a 5.8-inch display screen, alloy wheels, and Bluetooth phone connectivity

The Audi A3 Cabriolet is a competent performer and has great interior features.

The Audi A3 is rated highly by owners and safety in the cabriolet has been bolstered to make up for the lack of a metal roof

What some international motoring websites say:

1.         Auto Express

“The Audi A3 Cabriolet is bigger than ever and better to drive, but it’s expensive.“

2.         Evo

“The Audi A3 Cabriolet. It’s the second iteration of the littlest drop-top Audi, and compared to its slightly humpbacked predecessor, it’s a more elegant-looking proposition”

Audi Q7

Audi`s all-new 2016 Q7 reveal a handsome albeit somewhat familiar look for the new Q7, but while the exterior may not have changed much engineers have totally revamped things underneath the sheet metal.

Volkswagen Group`s new MLB Evo platform, is an evolution of Audi`s existing MLB structure but is lighter thanks to multi-material construction. Ultra-high-strength parts made of hot-shaped steel form the backbone of the occupant cell. Aluminium castings, extruded sections and panels are used in the front and rear ends as well as the superstructure. Other parts made entirely of aluminium are the doors, the front fenders, the hood and the rear hatch

How much lighter is it? A substantial 325kgs lighter in 3.0-litre TDI trim, for instance. The 2016 Q7 TDI measures in at 2000 kg, making it one of the lightest options among seven-seat SUVs in the premium segment. At the same time, it is one of the most spacious in its segment despite its exterior dimensions shrinking.

Further efficiency improvements come from the powertrain department with the entry-level option being a 2.0-litre TFSI  joined by two V-6s, a 3.0-litreTDI plus a 3.0-litre All 2016 Q7s will come with an eight-speed S tronic automatic transmission.

Further down the track Audi will add a second 3.0-litre TDI option.

A quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system remains standard across the 2016 Q7 range, but one major new feature is all-wheel steering. At low speeds the rear wheels steer opposite the front wheels, making the vehicle more manoeuvrable for parking, and at higher speeds the rear wheels follow the movement of the front wheels to aid stability. This works in conjunction with an electrically-aided steering system.

While the Q7 has taken a big step forward, things are about to get very crowded at the top of the SUV segment, with the upcoming entries from Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and even Mercedes-Maybach. To stay in that highly profitable game—and to retain the owners of the previous V-8 and V-12 TDI versions—Audi will launch a V-8 TDI, a V-8 turbo petrol engine, and possibly even a W-12 turbo gasoline engine.