2011 Audi A7 Sportback

Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi AG board member for sales and marketing, expects the A8, A6 and forthcoming A7 five-door sedan to account for 30 percent of sales in the United States within six or seven years. That’s up from the current 15 percent. On a global basis, those segments represent 25 percent of Audi’s sales.

In the United States, three models are expected to fuel that segment including the A8, which will be followed by the A7 next year and a redesigned A6 sedan in 2011… but Audi’s not stopping there.

According to Automotive News, Audi is also considering its own version of the A5 Sportback sedan and a new “A9 sports car to compete against the Aston Martin Rapide.” Now we’re not sure when/if the A9 will show up but it does sound very exciting.

It was reported yesterday that Audi will also get aggressive in the compact segment.

2011 Audi A7 Sportback:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

- Key Competitors: Let us know what you think the S5 Sportback’s main competitors are.
- Engine: 3.0L TFSI Supercharged V6 engine, 333-hp/325 lb-ft of torque.
- Transmission: 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.
- Performance: 0 to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds; Top speed of 155 mph.
- Fuel-Economy: 24 mpg.
- Pricing/Availability: 57,900 euros ($82,761 USD); Goes on sale in Europe in spring 2010.

The more we see that Audi A5 Sportback and the new S5 Sportback, the more depressed we get that Audi will not offer the two models in the United States. However, we’re a bit confused as to which vehicles the A5 Sportback and the S5 Sportback would compete with if it did come to fight on our side of the world.

Let us know what you think the four-door ’5s’ would compete with in the North American market (in the comments section after the jump). If we find some time, we’ll reply to your comments.

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery.

2009 Frankfurt: 2010 Audi S5 Sportback:

2010 Audi S5 Sportback:

- By: Kap Shah

The new 2010 Audi A5 Sportback will be joined by its high-performance sibling at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show – the all-new 2010 Audi S5 Sportback.

Power comes from 3.0L TFSI V6 engine, which has been supercharged to make 333-hp and a maximum torque of 325 lb-ft (yes, it is the same engine from the 2010 Audi S4). The engine is mated to a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive as standard. The 2010 S5 Sportback goes from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. Fuel-economy is estimated at 24 mpg (U.S.).

The 2010 Audi S5 Sportback will go on sale in spring 2010 with prices starting at 57,900 euros ($82,761 USD)- and no, it’s not coming to the United States.

Make the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

2010 Audi S5 Sportback:

Press Release:

Elegant dynamics: Audi S5 Sportback

The S5 Sportback is the pinnacle of the new Sportback model line. This elegant, five-door coup̩ is propelled by a three-liter V6 with a mechanical compressor. From a displacement of 2,995 cm3 (182.77 in3), the small turbo engine delivers 245 kW (333 hp) and 440 Nm (324.53 lb.-ft.) of torque between 2,900 and 5,300 rpm. The S5 Sportback sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.4 seconds [provisional figure]; its top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph) is limited by an electronic governor. It averages just 9.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (24.25 mpg) [provisional figures] Рthe best in this power-output category.

Concerning the powertrain, the Audi S5 Sportback similarly underscores its superiority: a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive are standard equipment. Upon request, Audi will include the sport differential. It variably distributes power on the rear axle between the rear wheels. This new “top model” has a sportily configured chassis with 18-inch aluminum wheels fitted with 245/40 tires; black brake calipers bear S5 emblems at the front. Speed-dependent servotronic steering is also standard.

Small yet striking exterior and interior features visually distinguish the Audi S5 Sportback. Equipment highlights include electrically adjustable S sports seats covered with Silk Nappa leather. Sales of the Audi S5 Sportback will start in Spring 2010; its basic price will be 57,900 euros.

- By: Omar Rana

Even though Audi has no plans on bringing the Audi A5 Sportback to the stateside, it is using U.S. soil for a photo shoot of the much-anticipated model that will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.

Fortitude forum members have caught the Audi A5 Sportback during a photo shoot on the University of California San Diego campus.

Audi says that it has no plans to offer the A5 Sportback in the U.S. since the A7 Sportback will come here instead. The Audi A5 Sportback will go on sale early next year in Europe with two gasoline and three diesel engine choices and a starting price tag of 36,050 Euros ($49,889 USD).

Audi A5 Sportback Teaser and Sketch:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: Fortitude

Audi has just dropped a sketch and a teaser image of the A5 Sportback that will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Joining the Coupe and Cabriolet as the third member of the A5 family, Audi says that the A5 Sportback will be “as comfortable as a sedan, and as practical as an Avant.”

The Audi A5 Sportback will be available with a choice of two gasoline and three diesel engines. The two gasoline engine lineup will consist of a 2.0 TFSI quattro making 211-hp  and 258 lb-ft of torque and a 3.2L V6 quattro making 265-hp. Both models will features the Audi valvelift system, which allows the A5 Sportback to produce more power and higher torque, all while lowering fuel consumption.

The diesel lineup will consist of a 2.0 TDI making 170-hp mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a start-stop system. Next will be a 2.7 TDI making 190-hp with a peak torque of 295 lb-ft. The most powerful diesel choice will be a 3.0L TDI V6 making 240-hp with a maximum torque of 369 lb-ft and quattro all-wheel drive.

Prices will start at 36,050 ($49,889 USD) for the 2.0 TDI version. Full pricing details will be announced in September.

Click through for the press release for more details.

Audi A5 Sportback Teaser and Sketch:

Press Release:

The new Audi A5 Sportback
As elegant as a coupe, as practical as an Avant

The brand with the four rings leads the pack with a new vehicle concept: The Audi A5 Sportback combines the best of different automotive worlds. It is as emotional and elegant as a coupe, as comfortable as a sedan, and as practical as an Avant. The Sportback joins the Coup̩ and Cabriolet as the third member of the A5 model family Рand at the same time creates a new segment. With an exciting design, great everyday utility and highly efficient and powerful TFSI, FSI and TDI engines, the A5 Sportback will arrive at Audi dealerships in September. The car will be open for ordering with an entry price of EUR 36,050 for the 2.0 TDI version. A version with an even more attractive price will follow in the middle of 2010. This will make the A5 Sportback the entry model for the A5 model range.

The A5 Sportback represents a milestone in car design. The five-door coupe excels in its elegant, elongated, sporty profile. The large hatchback fits perfectly into the tail-end styling. The spoiler lip and the diffuser insert provide contrast and emphasize the athletic tautness of the elongated contour. The coupe-like silhouette is the result of a roof section with a long, tapering roofline that is moderately lower by 36 mm (1.42 inches) than the A4 Sedan and of the short overhangs at the front and rear as well as the long wheelbase of 2,810 mm (9.22 feet) and the four frameless doors with their slim, dynamic window styling. The unusual hatchback design is distinctively emblematic of the vehicle’s excellent functionality. With the Sportback, the designers of the Avant are setting trends in tail-end design while combining sportiness, comfort and utility in a completely new way.

The unique functional concept in conjunction with the emotion-packed design creates a cutting-edge mix of coupe and Avant. The baggage volume of 480 liters (17.0 cubic feet) nearly equals that of the A4 Avant, and it has an impressive 980 liters (34.6 cubic feet) with the rear seatbacks folded down.

The A5 Sportback provides a full measure of comfort on all four seats and convenient entry and exit through every door. Despite the fact that its exterior height is less than that of the A4 Sedan and that its roof tapers at the rear, the Sportback has comparable headroom and legroom.

The powerplant of the A5 Sportback is another advance along the path of innovative technologies Audi has been charting: All engines are of the direct injection type – the diesel versions are sophisticated common rail TDI units while the gasoline engines are based on the FSI concept. All engines meet the EU5 exhaust emission standard. The diesel versions are equipped with particulate filters.

Initially the A5 Sportback will be available with a choice of two gasoline and three diesel engines. The two gasoline versions, the 2.0 TFSI quattro with an output of 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque and the 3.2-liter V6 quattro generating 195 kW (265 hp) are both equipped with the Audi valvelift system. This feature can produce more power and higher torque as well as lower fuel consumption.

The following engines are also available right from the start: the 2.0 TDI with 125 kW (170 hp), 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), a 6-speed manual gearbox and start/stop system, the 2.7 TDI with 140 kW (190 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), and the three-liter V6 TDI with 176 kW (240 hp) plus an enormous 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of maximum torque and quattro all-wheel drive.

The newly developed ESP control with electronic differential lock on the front axle ensures noticeably improved steering response as on the Coup̩ and Cabriolet and compensates effectively for change-of-load reactions Рwhich increases driving safety.

The perfect addition to this technology package is the Audi drive select dynamic driving system – this allows the driver to choose between three different modes which influences the throttle response characteristics, the shift points for the seven-speed S tronic or multitronic transmissions, and supports the servotronic steering. If the vehicle is equipped with the MMI operating system, a fourth, freely programmable level is also available.

Audi drive select can only be ordered in conjunction with one or more of three additional technologies – adaptive shock absorber control, dynamic steering with continuously variable assistance and quattro with sport differential for the 3.0 TDI and 3.2 FSI versions.

- By: Omar Rana

At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi will unveil a concept version of its upcoming Q3 crossover and the drop-top version of its R8 supercar.

According to Auto Motor und Sport , Audi is also planning an electric concept version, or ‘e-version,’ of the R8 supercar. No word yet on whether the car will carry a fully-electric powertrain or a gasoline/diesel electric hybrid system.

Audi is also expected to show the A5 Sportback and the A7 in Frankfurt.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Auto Motor und Sport