Remember the Audi 100/200 Avant models? In the eighties, they were considered the most stylish estates available on the market. The 200 Turbo Quattro Avant model built up a reputation thanks to its famous four wheel drive system and its turbocharged 2.2 litre 5 cylinder engine that produced 220bhp. Well, it seems that the Avant could be set for a comeback in the form of an A5 Sportback.
After the 4 door coupé was popularised by Mercedes through the CLS, I wonder if Audi will try to launch a new niche in the form of the 5 door estate coupé. This may sound like a joke, but if it is in fact serious, the rumoured A5 estate may have hard time meeting with success, positioned as it would be between the Audi A4 and A6 estates. Some critics will argue that a shooting brake would be a better way to extend the Audi range. However, past shooting brake vehicles like the BMW Z3 coupé or the Honda Aerodeck have seldom met with success.
This Audi A5 may just be a rumour, but considering that Audi wants to launch 18 new cars over the next few years and jump from a sales figure of less than 1 million to 1.5 million vehicles, an Audi A5 Sportback may be a good idea. Audi will just have to find the right formula.
The Sportback version will share its platform and its engines with the newly launched A5. Expect to see a large range of TDI engines producing from 140bhp to more than 200bhp. The petrol engines will feature the TFSI units and obviously the 4.2 litre V8 for the sporty RS5.
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