Audi's all-new A5 Sportback model is a sort of almost-hatchback sedan that's sleek, sporty and very fast, according to "First Drive" preview from Car and Driver. The hatchback design for automobiles was largely abandoned a decade or more ago in the U.S. but has been making a stealth return over the last two years, led by new hatchback models from more mainstream manufacturers like Ford, Honda and Subaru.
Now luxury automaker Audi plans to bring the 2018 A5 Sportback to the U.S. market. With its distinctive hatchback-like-but-not-quite design, Audi is signaling it believes in the pent-up appetite for this type of utility in a sedan model. The A5 Sportback is about an inch and half lower than the Audi A4 sedan, but otherwise the car's dimensions are nearly identical. The Sportback features the same engine as the A4 - a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that cranks out an impressive 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, enough to rocket from 0-60 mph in just 5.7 seconds.
Car and Driver calls the A5 Sportback "beautiful" - a stylish alternative to the more traditional-looking A4 and A6. Inside, the cabin features Audi's new Virtual Cockpit customizable instrument cluster. Leather seating is comfortable and supportive, whether taking the Sportback around sharp turns or settling in for straightaways on long trips. The rear hatch is large and opens up to spacious cargo hold: the Sportback has 17 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats, which expands to 46 cubic feet when the 40/20/20-split rear seats are folded.
We're eagerly anticipating the arrival of the all-new 2018 A5 Sportback at Audi Huntsville sometime later this year. In the meantime, we have a terrific selection of 2017 Audi sedans and SUVs, from the A3, A4, A6, A7 and A8 to the Q3, Q5 and Q7. Our knowledgeable sales professionals are ready to answer all your questions and help you choose and configure the Audi that best suits your lifestyle. Stop by our Huntsville dealership today, or call us at (888) 697-1755 to schedule time for test drive.