Motors North

Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Sport 180

AUDI is renowned for the quality of its cars and the dynamic choice of TDI turbodiesels that power most of the range.

But the petrol engine is making a comeback.

Faced with scandalously high diesel fuel prices and constant gripes about nitrous oxide pollution from diesel exhaust, manufacturers like Audi have been refining the petrol plant – and its latest TFSI unit is a remarkable example of what can be achieved.

I was sceptical when I heard Audi had dropped a 1984cc turbocharged four-cylinder 16-valve petrol engine into its new A5 coupe. This is a car that weights nearly 1.5 tonnes at the kerb and almost two tonnes when fully laden. It’s big at 4.62 metres long and clearly no lightweight.

My first thought was that I’d rather have a two-litre TDI – down on power at 168bhp but still quick with incredible pulling power and capable of an average 53mpg.

But Audi has boosted the 2.0 TFSI petrol from 178bhp to 208bhp in some models and matched the 258lb.ft torque output of the diesel between 1500rpm and 4200rpm in the higher-output 208bhp petrol engine. What that means is that compared to the excellent TDI you have even greater punch from the new two-litre 208bhp turbocharged petrol, better throttle response and improved refinement.

I had the lower powered version of the 2.0 TFSI Sport on test with 178bhp under the bonnet. And after a week touring the north of Scotland and Orkney in this six-speed manual two-litre Sport I’m convinced -- petrol does have a future, and diesel has serious competition.

At 40mpg overall the petrol A5 was more thirsty than the 168bhp TDI that can stretch a gallon of fuel oil for another 13 miles, but the fact that I was saving around 31p a gallon every time I filled up my petrol A5 made me feel better.

But the truth is that while petrol is cheaper by the litre in overall economy terms it still comes a poor second to the 168bhp TDI. At current prices (97p a litre for petrol and 103p for diesel) it would cost me £11 more to cover the same distance in my 2.0 TFSI petrol A5 than the 2.0 TDI by filling the 65 litre tank. Added to that the diesel will cover 757 miles on a full tank where the petrol would need a refill at 612 miles.

Generally diesels are more expensive than equivalent petrol engines, and that strengthens the petrol case. The 2.0 TFSI Sport I had on test costs £830 less than the 2.0 TDI Sport and further confuses the economics argument for the diesel.

But on balance, in a sporting coupe like the A5 where annual mileages are unlikely to be high and where refinement, throttle response and overall performance should take the high ground, the petrol option makes most sense. Both diesel and 178bhp petrol have the same top speed, but the petrol beats the oiler in acceleration from rest.

On the road the A5 drives superbly. It’s not as sharp as a BMW 3 Series Coupe, but it is very relaxing – even on its massive 18-inch alloys.

Audi suspension engineers have worked hard on smoothing away the "harsh ride" image the badge used to have. Audis of old could be wooden and uncomfortable over rougher surfaces – not any more.

I don’t like low profile tyres but the 18-inch diameter Bridgestone Potenza 245/40 section covers fitted to the test car coped well. Noise levels would have certainly been improved by slightly deeper sidewalls, but the ride quality, while firm, was never uncomfortable. However I would have been far happier with the standard A5 wheel and tyre offering of 17-inch alloys with 225/50 section tyres.

But even tackling the demands of the rarely-driven B9047 that runs the 18 miles from Longhope to Rackwick at the north-west tip of Hoy in Orkney, the A5 Sport easily swallowed the bends and uneven surfaces of this fascinating single tracker. The drive was made all the more enjoyable by my choice of ride settings using the electronic adaptive suspension – a simple button push gave me either rock hard Dynamic mode for faster sections or a supple Comfort mode when I eased off. Alternatively I could opt for the default Auto setting that left the suspension to decide its response for itself.

The B9047 was a real test of the engine’s flexibility, but that torque-rich band between 1500rpm and 4200rpm and six close-ratioed gears meant progress was laid back and easy.

It was a similar story heading south on the A9 from Scrabster to Moray – an easy and relaxed drive surrounded by one of the best assembled interiors on the market.

The dash is beautifully put together – a tasteful mix of genuine aluminium trim, leather and high quality plastic. Switches feel good and positive and Audi’s outstanding MMI "media interface" makes managing the entertainment, navigation and other settings intuitive.

Mercedes has copied the Audi MMI console control wheel and four-button menu selectors – but BMW is continuing to struggle with its improved, but still awkward, i-Drive system.

When it comes to practicality the A5 is ace.

Front seats are very supportive, hugging and comfortable over a long distance. There’s a wide range of power and manual adjustments and the steering column can be raised and lowered to suit individual driving styles.

Where lots of coupes fall down is on rear space. By their nature streamlined coupes like the A5 with a low roofline can feel a little claustrophobic for rear passengers.

The best I’ve seen recently is on Mercedes’ new E-Class Coupe, but the A5 is not far behind. Headroom is okay for my 5 foot 7 inch frame, but taller people will find it tight. But the seats are good and getting in and out through the wide front doors is easy thanks to seats that can be electrically "motored" forward.

The luggage capability of the A5 is better than many family hatches. The boot is big with a remotely controlled lid and can swallow a mighty 455 litres. You can drop the standard split and fold rear seat from the boot end using a remote release for each side and you get a massive, flat-floored cargo area that will take 829 litres of cargo.

Extras on the test car added a huge additional bill of £7940.

I liked the £245 heated seats and thought the expensive £1955 sat-nav and entertainment pack was good value and top quality. But I could live without the garish £345 two-tone star silver and stone blue Valcona leather option on my glaringly bright Ibis White test car. And I would feel cheated if I’d paid £634 for the Audi "advanced" parking rear view camera. But one option that delivers incredible value for a music lover is the £515 Bang & Olufsen sound system – it’s excellent.

I liked the A5, despite having some reservations about its elongated side elevation and disappointed by Audi giving it a boot lid in place of a more practical hatch – but that omission could be changed if a rumoured A5 Avant goes into production.

The A5 2.0 TFSI petrol Sport 180 is a true “grand tourer”. If you have another £1995 to spend you can get the same car but badged as the Sport 211 with 208bhp. But frankly there is nothing wrong with the lower powered model – in fact it’s the best small-capacity petrol Audi coupe to date.

Rating: 8.5/10

FINAL THOUGHT: Hedonistic and refined. The Audi A5 is an elegant coupe with space for four and a lot of luggage. There’s more than enough power in the new front-drive 178bhp two-litre petrol TFSI and economy is better than you might expect given its performance. Audi leaves buyers with a bewildering choice of petrol, diesel and quattro options running to 28 models so there’s an A5 to suit everyone – plus seven new A5 Cabriolet models joining the ranks this summer.

Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Sport 180

Price: £27,285 (£25,225 as tested)
Capacity: 1984cc
Power: 178bhp
0-62mph: 7.8 seconds
Maximum speed: 140mph
Economy: Combined 42.8mpg; Urban 31.4mpg
CO2 emissions: 154g/km
ESP: Standard
Insurance: Group 15

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Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Sport 180