2012 Audi A5 Coupe 3.0 TFSI Quattro Review

Svelte and smooth, the sensible coupe

By Shahzad Sheikh

2012 Audi A5 Coupe 3.0 TFSI Quattro

If you’re looking for a smart, sensible, smooth coupe with a touch of class and quality, don’t forget to stick the Audi A5 Coupe on your shortlist.

The Audi A5 was introduced in coupe guise in 2007, and whilst there’s now a cabriolet and Sportback version, this shape still looks the best to my eyes.

It’s a handsome and desirable car, and things only improve once you get inside. There are not many surprises here for the Audi owner, but the level of build fit and finish is, of course, beyond fault.
Space in the front is perfectly adequate and the seating position is good, the rear seats however are probably best left for kids.

Stunning new engine

Our test car was fitted with the 3.0-liter TFSI Supercharged engine which is new for the Coupe this year, having been introduced with the cabriolet version. It puts out 272bhp and 295lb ft of torque which gets it from 0-100kph in 5.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250kph as usual.

As impressive as those figures sound, they don’t quite convey the actual performance of the car on the road. This engine is stunning with peak torque coming in from nearly as low as 2000rpm, and there is a tremendous wave of momentum that kicks off like a catapult the moment you plunge the accelerator pedal.

The performance actually takes you aback because it might not be quite what you were expecting from a regular flavour A5 – we don’t get the S5 here and frankly speaking after driving this, you won’t really feel the need for an RS5 either.

It drives all four wheels in typical Quattro fashion through a quick-changing 7-speed S tronic double-clutch transmission.

The punchy performance is combined with a drive that isn’t quite as prone to understeer as Quattro’s of old, but still will if the power is deployed too early or aggressively. Feed it in as you ease out of a corner though and the remarkably grippy traction will see you away sharply. Keep the steering in Sport setting when you’re on it for best weighting and feel. And whilst there’s some bump-thump from the tyres, the ride is sufficiently supple from this sports suspension.

Equipment and trim

As standard it comes well-equipped with 19-inch alloys, leather and walnut interior trim, along with climate control, Bluetooth a great sound system, cruise and stop-start for saving fuel. That lot will set you back AED223,000 ($60,600).

The car in the pictures features the S Line style package with front sports seats, sports suspension plus Audi drive select settings, sat nav, parking aids and reversing camera. That lot sees the price rise to AED246,200 ($66,900) but it’s worth spending the extra as it makes the overall car far more desirable and should aid resale.

Verdict

The A5 Coupe is not a car that you lust after and is not one that would be the first to come to mind when preparing a shortlist of coupes to pick from. But as unassuming as it is, it’s a mighty satisfying car if you do opt for one, and there would be little reason to regret your choice.

2012 Audi A5 Coupe 3.0 TFSI Quattro
Specs
Price: AED223,000k ($60,600k) See text above for S-Line option price
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 Supercharged, 272bhp @ 4780-6500rpm, 295lb ft @ 2150-4780rpm
Performance: 0-100kph 5.8s, 250kph, 8.1L/100km
Transmission: 7-speed auto, Four-wheel drive
Weight: 1650kg

 

2 responses to “2012 Audi A5 Coupe 3.0 TFSI Quattro Review”

  1. Ali Sakhr says:

    Hi, i’ve reading yor reviews and i’m loving your website. I live in south america and around here we dont have as many quality car reviews . Congratulations!
    I have a small request; you probably have more pics of this specifically white Audi A5 s line. Could you guys send me some other pictures of this car in my email. I think this car is just gorgeous in this white colour in S line trim and your pictures are really great.
    Thanks in advance!

    • admin says:

      [Shahzad] Many thanks for your kind comments. Unfortunately I don’t have any more pictures of the car. You should be able to save the existing ones from the website itself. Thanks again!

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