The rules of the game are set in Munich. And if you don't want to fall behind, you have to adapt and look up to the leader. It is in this race that competitors become increasingly driver-focused. So Audi has added to its list of "standard emotions" a special driving pleasure that previously could only be experienced behind the wheel of a BMW...
FULL, ALMOST REAR
The A5 coupe is a new-generation Audi. Engineers have prioritized driving pleasure. And for the first time, Audi's handling has acquired such an exciting, decisive, and individual flavor. The main thing is that this feeling is not artificial: the elegant classic coupe has received a new chassis and an advanced suspension layout. The engine no longer hangs in the front overhang but is shifted rearward, closer to the cabin. The drive is all-wheel, but most of the torque goes to the rear axle. This solution in itself promises more interesting behavior.
The asymmetric torque distribution across the axles gives the A5 handling that was previously uncharacteristic of Audi even on the sporty RS4 and RS6.
UNDER THE SPECTACULAR BODY — EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS
■ The A5 coupe partially says goodbye to the past, primarily in its layout. Previously, Audi's engine was in the front overhang, but now it is above the axle, much closer to the cabin than in other models of the brand. This allowed, with the same body length, to increase the wheelbase to 2.75 m, reduce the front overhang, and achieve better weight distribution. By grouping the mass closer to the center of gravity, they reduced the moment of inertia around the vertical axis and improved cornering. Therefore, the A5 is already structurally more maneuverable and agile than its more sporty RS series siblings. This is also due to the new multi-link suspension, offered in a sport version or in the S Line Plus package, where the ground clearance is 10 mm less. In all-wheel drive, there is the proven quattro system with three differentials, but now engineers have directed 60% of the traction to the rear. This was done to achieve near-neutral behavior in extreme cornering with a slight hint of oversteer when exiting a turn when the driver uses the full potential of the engine. Much attention was paid to aerodynamics: refinement of details and the underbody reduced drag by 13%, to an outstanding value of 0.29!
Very stable in all driving modes, the A5 turned out to be quite agile and lively, making driving a pleasant experience without raising safety concerns. The car holds confidently on a straight line and easily dives into corners — with a clear hint of understeer and barely noticeable body rolls. On corner exit, it is very quick, and the asymmetric torque distribution guarantees excellent traction.
The good news is that the steering is finally sharp, but most importantly, it has high precision and fills with pleasant effort that provides a reliable picture of what is happening at the tire-road contact.
The turbo-diesel version of the Audi A5 we tested behaves much more sportily than expected. Its lively nature is confirmed by the heavy "aggressive" brake pedal and the seating position — it would be ideal for a sporty style if the clutch pedal with too much travel did not spoil the impression — it does not facilitate quick shifts.
The A5 is not only sporty but also a very pleasant car, as there is no need to put up with many inherent inconveniences of a sports car. Moreover, on trips, it proves to be a true gran turismo. The six-cylinder turbo-diesel with common rail injection develops 239 hp and 500 Nm of torque. The engine is truly powerful, yet it runs so quietly that even during acceleration, its genetically predetermined "vocal data" are almost imperceptible. If you look for drawbacks, it is a slight hesitation that the V6 TDI shows at the very bottom, in the range of 1300–1600 rpm. It is better to listen to the "hints" of the engine control unit to choose the optimal moment for shifting. This will help not only to use the engine's potential correctly but also to save fuel.
CHOOSING WITH THE SIXTH SENSE
The goal that Audi does not really hide is to remind the many BMW fans that there are other brands. This gives a good reason to compare the Audi A5 with its main rival, the BMW 3 Series coupe.
From a purely technical point of view, the Bavarian coupe is not the most suitable competitor for Audi, but this version perfectly expresses the main values of the Bavarian manufacturer: avant-garde refined technology, excellent driving qualities, and sporty design. When two manufacturers compete so fiercely and at such a high level, it is really difficult for the buyer to decide on their own preferences. Especially when you start evaluating the differences based on rationality.
The BMW 335d coupe handles neither better nor worse than the A5; the most accurate way to say it is simply differently. It is a completely different character. Ultimately, the main measure is the driver's personal priorities and emotional mood. These are cars for fans and true connoisseurs, for those whose tastes have long been formed...
The BMW 335d is equipped with an inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel of 3.0 liters, which shows phenomenal traction from the beginning of the scale to the red zone of the tachometer. Acceleration is powerful, rich, unrestrained. The explanation is simple — under the hood are hidden 286 "horses" and 580 Nm of torque, which are sent to the rear wheels. As for handling, the BMW can deliver refined pleasure to an experienced driver. At the same time, like all BMWs, the 335d shows moderate fuel consumption relative to power. And this is despite the inevitable losses caused by the use of an automatic transmission.
SPORT FOR EVERY DAY
Both the Audi and the BMW that took part in the duel were equipped with 19-inch wheels. Huge discs and ultra-low-profile tires perfectly emphasize the sporty qualities of our subjects, but they do not have the best effect on ride comfort. It cannot be said that the chassis of the rivals is tuned primarily for comfort, and yet in both cars, passengers will highly appreciate the work of modern, very complex, and highly efficient suspension schemes. By the way, when developing these coupes, ride comfort was by no means forgotten, nor could it be forgotten, since both models are designed for everyday use.
There are many "white-collar workers" who want to drive comfortably, for a long time, and, if possible, without straining. The Audi is able to cater to their tastes a little better than the BMW — mainly due to better sound insulation and a slightly less sharp steering, which relieves the driver of unnecessary tension. But the Bavarian coupe has an advantage in active driving — it is stiffer and more agile. The concentration of technologies is also higher: just the engine with twin turbocharging is worth it. But what really sets the 3 Series coupe apart is, of course, the active steering! Thanks to it, you get such a sharp response that you can take hairpin turns without having to shuffle the wheel.
MANIFESTATION OF DIFFERENCES
But the Audi A5 and BMW 335d do not limit themselves to awakening strong feelings. And on public roads, these cars should not be pushed to the limit — they already make it clear that their capabilities are in order.
Their emphasized refinement is also evident in the interior design, where the difference between the styles of the two brands manifests itself almost more strongly than in the exterior. And this circumstance, no doubt, further increases the agony of choice experienced by the buyer.
TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES
Audi bets on scrupulous precision of finishing and thoughtful luxury, which is emphasized by metal trims, numerous buttons and perfect fit of all details. An important place is also given to functionality — the main focus is on the MMI multimedia system, which, however, still forces the driver to take their eyes off the road and look down in search of the right button.
The Audi system is clearly designed as an opponent to the "Bavarian" iDrive, which wins over with its disarming simplicity. Its interface is indeed intuitive, and the only significant drawback is sluggishness. Sometimes it seems that the system simply does not notice commands. In fact, this is not the case; it's just that entering an address into the navigation requires considerable patience.
Both the third-series coupe and the Audi A5 are primarily aimed at older buyers, rather than those who truly dream of these cars. And where would a young hot guy get the one and a half million rubles that are asked for the base version of any of these cars? And the amount will become significantly larger if you picky choose the engine or look into the long list of options. Especially in that part where truly important systems are listed that can noticeably increase comfort in everyday life. For example, it is almost impossible to imagine the Audi A5 without parking sensors — the visibility when reversing is such that the expensive paint on the bumpers can suffer in no time.
FULL, ALMOST REAR
The A5 coupe is a new-generation Audi. Engineers have prioritized driving pleasure. And for the first time, Audi's handling has acquired such an exciting, decisive, and individual flavor. The main thing is that this feeling is not artificial: the elegant classic coupe has received a new chassis and an advanced suspension layout. The engine no longer hangs in the front overhang but is shifted rearward, closer to the cabin. The drive is all-wheel, but most of the torque goes to the rear axle. This solution in itself promises more interesting behavior.
The asymmetric torque distribution across the axles gives the A5 handling that was previously uncharacteristic of Audi even on the sporty RS4 and RS6.
■ The A5 coupe partially says goodbye to the past, primarily in its layout. Previously, Audi's engine was in the front overhang, but now it is above the axle, much closer to the cabin than in other models of the brand. This allowed, with the same body length, to increase the wheelbase to 2.75 m, reduce the front overhang, and achieve better weight distribution. By grouping the mass closer to the center of gravity, they reduced the moment of inertia around the vertical axis and improved cornering. Therefore, the A5 is already structurally more maneuverable and agile than its more sporty RS series siblings. This is also due to the new multi-link suspension, offered in a sport version or in the S Line Plus package, where the ground clearance is 10 mm less. In all-wheel drive, there is the proven quattro system with three differentials, but now engineers have directed 60% of the traction to the rear. This was done to achieve near-neutral behavior in extreme cornering with a slight hint of oversteer when exiting a turn when the driver uses the full potential of the engine. Much attention was paid to aerodynamics: refinement of details and the underbody reduced drag by 13%, to an outstanding value of 0.29!
Very stable in all driving modes, the A5 turned out to be quite agile and lively, making driving a pleasant experience without raising safety concerns. The car holds confidently on a straight line and easily dives into corners — with a clear hint of understeer and barely noticeable body rolls. On corner exit, it is very quick, and the asymmetric torque distribution guarantees excellent traction.
The good news is that the steering is finally sharp, but most importantly, it has high precision and fills with pleasant effort that provides a reliable picture of what is happening at the tire-road contact.
The turbo-diesel version of the Audi A5 we tested behaves much more sportily than expected. Its lively nature is confirmed by the heavy "aggressive" brake pedal and the seating position — it would be ideal for a sporty style if the clutch pedal with too much travel did not spoil the impression — it does not facilitate quick shifts.
The A5 is not only sporty but also a very pleasant car, as there is no need to put up with many inherent inconveniences of a sports car. Moreover, on trips, it proves to be a true gran turismo. The six-cylinder turbo-diesel with common rail injection develops 239 hp and 500 Nm of torque. The engine is truly powerful, yet it runs so quietly that even during acceleration, its genetically predetermined "vocal data" are almost imperceptible. If you look for drawbacks, it is a slight hesitation that the V6 TDI shows at the very bottom, in the range of 1300–1600 rpm. It is better to listen to the "hints" of the engine control unit to choose the optimal moment for shifting. This will help not only to use the engine's potential correctly but also to save fuel.
 | THE POWER OF LIGHT Daytime running lights are becoming an increasingly significant design element — they further emphasize the character. The rear bench provides two adult seats. |
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| FLAWLESSNESS IN DETAILS Almost perfect driver's seat. The only drawback is the long travel of the clutch pedal. The fairly rich instrument panel delights with high-class finishing — fully in line with the brand's standards. The MMI control buttons elude the eye while driving — they are located behind the gear lever. Sports seats are equipped with electric adjustments (option). |  |
CHOOSING WITH THE SIXTH SENSE
The goal that Audi does not really hide is to remind the many BMW fans that there are other brands. This gives a good reason to compare the Audi A5 with its main rival, the BMW 3 Series coupe.
From a purely technical point of view, the Bavarian coupe is not the most suitable competitor for Audi, but this version perfectly expresses the main values of the Bavarian manufacturer: avant-garde refined technology, excellent driving qualities, and sporty design. When two manufacturers compete so fiercely and at such a high level, it is really difficult for the buyer to decide on their own preferences. Especially when you start evaluating the differences based on rationality.
The BMW 335d coupe handles neither better nor worse than the A5; the most accurate way to say it is simply differently. It is a completely different character. Ultimately, the main measure is the driver's personal priorities and emotional mood. These are cars for fans and true connoisseurs, for those whose tastes have long been formed...
The BMW 335d is equipped with an inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel of 3.0 liters, which shows phenomenal traction from the beginning of the scale to the red zone of the tachometer. Acceleration is powerful, rich, unrestrained. The explanation is simple — under the hood are hidden 286 "horses" and 580 Nm of torque, which are sent to the rear wheels. As for handling, the BMW can deliver refined pleasure to an experienced driver. At the same time, like all BMWs, the 335d shows moderate fuel consumption relative to power. And this is despite the inevitable losses caused by the use of an automatic transmission.
SPORT FOR EVERY DAY
Both the Audi and the BMW that took part in the duel were equipped with 19-inch wheels. Huge discs and ultra-low-profile tires perfectly emphasize the sporty qualities of our subjects, but they do not have the best effect on ride comfort. It cannot be said that the chassis of the rivals is tuned primarily for comfort, and yet in both cars, passengers will highly appreciate the work of modern, very complex, and highly efficient suspension schemes. By the way, when developing these coupes, ride comfort was by no means forgotten, nor could it be forgotten, since both models are designed for everyday use.
There are many "white-collar workers" who want to drive comfortably, for a long time, and, if possible, without straining. The Audi is able to cater to their tastes a little better than the BMW — mainly due to better sound insulation and a slightly less sharp steering, which relieves the driver of unnecessary tension. But the Bavarian coupe has an advantage in active driving — it is stiffer and more agile. The concentration of technologies is also higher: just the engine with twin turbocharging is worth it. But what really sets the 3 Series coupe apart is, of course, the active steering! Thanks to it, you get such a sharp response that you can take hairpin turns without having to shuffle the wheel.
MANIFESTATION OF DIFFERENCES
But the Audi A5 and BMW 335d do not limit themselves to awakening strong feelings. And on public roads, these cars should not be pushed to the limit — they already make it clear that their capabilities are in order.
Their emphasized refinement is also evident in the interior design, where the difference between the styles of the two brands manifests itself almost more strongly than in the exterior. And this circumstance, no doubt, further increases the agony of choice experienced by the buyer.
TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES
 | EXEMPLARY "AUTOMATIC" The interior of the Bavarian coupe is made in a minimalist manner — in the spirit of fresh stylistic trends of BMW. The "automatic" is offered for an extra charge. Paddle shifters allow manual gear shifting even when the selector is in "D". |