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2011 Audi A5 Sportback To Debut At 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show?

News has surfaced in the past few days that September’s Frankfurt Motor Show is expected play host to the all-new Audi A5 Sportback, and according to Auto Motor und Sport, the new Audi will go on sale in Europe by the end of the year.
The wheelbase of


News has surfaced in the past few days that September’s Frankfurt Motor Show is expected play host to the all-new Audi A5 Sportback, and according to Auto Motor und Sport, the new Audi will go on sale in Europe by the end of the year.

The wheelbase of the A5 Sportback is identical to that of the A4, on which the A5 coupe is based. The A5 Sportback, however, will be lower and sleeker than the A4.

Design-wise, the A5 Sportback is similar in concept to a four-door coupe, but the roomy cabin, tall profile, and sloping hatchback style rear-door ensures the new Audi will sit in its own niche.

Audi's chief designer, Stefan Sielaff said, “The Sportback designation will stand for these types of slope-back sedans. You have to look beyond the A3 Sportback, but the A5 Sportback is clearly what we have in mind (for the name).

“The side-window and rear treatments were inspired by the classic Audi 100 Coupe," Sielaff said.

US magazine Car and Driver speculates that the base model will remain FWD, but AWD variants will feature the latest quattro torque vectoring systems, which distribute drive individually between each axle and between the rear wheels for improved traction and stability.

Further speculation is that the engines will range from efficient four-cylinder diesel engines up to high-performance V8s rated at over 294 Kw.

The engine range could include a 2.0 litre TFSI engine and the supercharged 3.0 litre V6 recently launched in the new S4 and refreshed A6 lineups. Europe would get four-cylinder and V6 diesel options, according to Car and Driver.

There is no news of course as to when or if the Audi A5 Sportback will make its way to our shores. While it’s early days yet for the rumoured new Audi, it would seem to make sense in the 'four-rings' line-up.

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