It even spawned its own four-door variant, dubbed the A5 Sportback, which wasn't brought to the US because it would have stepped on the toes of the successful A4 sedan.
In Europe, Audi has no such troubles, with the A4 and A5 Sportback having their own fans. This is why when the all-new 2016 A5 hits the scene, in late 2015, it will again spawn a multitude of versions (cabriolet, Sportback and the S- and RS-badged performance models).
Known internally as the AU494, the next A5 aims to put an emphasis on lightness and all the benefits it brings. According to Automobilemag, it will be some 220 lbs (100 kg) lighter than the current model, yet there will reportedly be an optional Ultra pack that will make it even lighter, through the use of aluminum body panels, lighter air-con compressor and ancillaries and hollow-spoke rims.
The bulk of the weight saving comes courtesy of a modular platform called MLBevo, which as its name suggests, is an evolution of the MLB platform, which underpins the current A5, as well as the A4, Q5, A8, A7, A6 and the upcoming Porsche Macan.
According to the magazine, Audi will continue to keep the new A5-based Sportback unavailable for US customers, but coupe and cabriolet versions of the car should make it to the States within a year of their initial unveiling. An RS version is also a certainty, and so is the fact that it will get a twin-turbo engine, which will reportedly put out over 470-horses.
Once on sale, it will go up against the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class two-door, as well as a car designed specifically to steal some of its sales, the BMW4-Series – it will be interesting to follow, once the situation begins unfolding.
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