A fine line

1.567455-1256615869 — Audi's A5 Sportback is a brilliant blend of coupe styling, saloon comfort and estate practicality. Image Credit: Kishore Kumar/ANM

A revolution of sorts is sweeping across the automotive design world, and it seems intent on forever wiping out the rear box from the conventional three-box saloon. It's true that a fastback car is no novelty. This automobile design, where the roof swoops down in a continuous slope to the rear of the car, came into vogue in the early Thirties. But most of these fastbacks were two-door coupés — the occasional four-door adopted it, only to abandon it a few years down the line.

Even though the seeds of this revolution were sown by cars like the Scout Scarab way back in the last century, it was Mercedes-Benz that carried it forward to this century. They took a great gamble in 2004 by launching the CLS-Class and branding it a four-door coupé. Not only did the gambit pay off big time, it also sparked a massive revival of the fastback design, with almost all major automakers jumping on the bandwagon.

From the Volkswagen Passat CC and the Porsche Panamera to the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide and the Bugatti Galibier, a host of new saloons have done away with the third box. Not one to be left behind, Audi took the plunge as well, and came out with its own version of the fastback, a sportback. The A5 Sportback, based on the A5 coupé, is finally here after a Europe-only launch last year. Although we drove it in Italy then, we were only too happy to be the first motoring magazine to drive the car here in the UAE.

Face value

Styling and positioning-wise, Audi has managed to hit a sweet spot between the A4 saloon and the A5 coupé. If you liked the A5 coupé, but dropped the idea of buying it because you needed more space, this is the car for you. And if you liked the space and comfort of the A4, but

lamented the lack of excitement, this again, is the car for you. The lower roofline and the wider chassis lend greater presence on the road than an A4. The gaping grille up front and the graceful, slanting headlights are straight from the A5 coupé. Adding to the visual appeal is an elegant crease that flows along the length of the car, from the headlights to the taillights.

The model that Audi lent us was the fully loaded 2.0 TFSI Quattro, which sported 20in cast aluminium alloy rims with seven twin-spokes. Altogether, it didn't take me long to realise that I was about to drive one of the best looking cars to have left Ingolstadt's assembly lines.

Inside stuff

The cabin is elegant and refined, as you'd expect from Audi. But whether it's exciting enough to match the exterior design, I'm not sure. The fit and finish are impeccable, and the two-tone Valcona leather seats in our test car were as cossetting as any I've sat on. The black interior trims are offset by the brushed aluminium finish used on the door knobs and elsewhere in the cabin. Both the front seats are electrically adjustable and have excellent lumbar support as well. The three-spoke leather-covered steering wheel incorporates controls for the sound system and bluetooth, as well as the paddle shifters and the cruise control stick. A smattering of airbags, together with electronic stability control and anti-whiplash head rests should take care of the safety aspect.

As is the case with most fastbacks, this A5 is designed to seat just four, but the spacious interior means these four passengers get ample head and legroom front and back. And thanks to the Isofix mounting that makes fixing the child seat a snap, my toddler could also get her share of the A5 experience. The biggest surprise however was the 480-litre luggage space that's hidden under the unassuming boot. It swallowed a full-sized pram and two curtain rods and was asking for more. If that isn't enough space, you can easily split and fold the rear seat to free up more, in fact you can get more than double that way. But I don't see why anyone would need more space than that.

Nimble-footed

Although it's a shame that we're not getting the top-of-the-range 3.2 FSI engine that kicks up 265bhp, the 211bhp turbocharged 2.0 TFSI is eager enough for a spirited drive. Coupled with quattro all-wheel drive and the fantastic seven speed dual clutch S tronic auto 'box, the powerhouse pulls well from standstill and helps the Sportback sprint to 100kph in just 6.6 seconds. Audi has done a great balancing act in the handling and comfort departments. The ride is firm enough for the coupé pretensions, while at the same time supple enough for a smooth and relaxing highway cruise. The cabin is well insulated, making wind noise almost non-existent, even at high speeds. The car is as impressive around corners and roundabouts as it is on straight stretches, and the Audi drive select feature allows you to adjust the suspension settings, steering resistance and throttle response to suit your liking, and all at the mere touch of a button.

Talking of buttons, the controls are laid out well in the centre console, making them easy to access. As with an increasing number of cars coming out lately, the A5 Sportback has an electric parking brake instead of the conventional handbrake. The sound system is excellent, with FM reception exceptionally clear. The MMI navigation plus system comes with a 6.5in colour monitor and a dial positioned on the centre console to control the sat nav and the stereo. I didn't like this dial much though as I'm a fan of touch screen sat navs, which are way less cumbersome. Moreover the navigation system didn't seem to be up to date; it didn't show an entire stretch of the Business Bay Crossing road that was opened early last year, and also chided me for not taking the right exit at a ‘roundabout' which was replaced by traffic lights a long time ago.

Small matter that when you consider how well put together a package the A5 Sportback is.

Verdict

The A5 Sportback is a brilliant blend of coupé styling, saloon comfort and estate practicality. It looks great, is exciting to drive and offers a comfortable ride for four on the highway. And at a base price of just Dh179,900, this beauty of a car is sure to give the CLS a run for its money.

Specs & Rating