Audi S5 Sportback 3.0 TDI test: a question of strategy

Did you think that Diesel would gradually disappear? Nay! Audi openly mocks the not so distant “Dieselgate” and drives the point home by now offering TDI engines for its “S” range in Europe. For regulatory reasons, of course, but according to the brand to also respond to a demand for a time neglected by the manufacturer to the rings. Indeed, we readily remember the Q7 V12 TDI and its emblematic torque of 1000 Nm. Will this new S5 Sportback TDI succeed in making such an impression? Not so sure, but there is no shortage of arguments to make.

Discreet but effective facelift

Audi takes advantage of the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2019 to unveil the mid-career facelift of the A5 which at the same time inaugurates an updated version of the 3.0 L TDI house, pushed to 347 hp and equipped with a micro-hybridization 48V. The aesthetic alterations are minor and concern, as usual, the grille, slightly flatter and surmounted by the 3 slots inaugurated by the Audi A1 in reference to the Audi Sport Quattro, queen of rallies during the 1980s. The outline of the anti -Fog is sharper and gives an impression of width to the front while the optics adopt a new light signature. Goodbye to long and thin rows of LEDs, hello to the illuminated plates inheriting from Audi Matrix LED technology allowing designers to express their creativity to the fullest.

Our configuration particularly emphasizes the sporting side of the car and is a pleasure to see for a German. Audi breaks the codes and dares colors previously reserved for supercars or conversely, city cars. Thus, it is possible to opt in the configurator for our superb Bleu Turbo but also for the Tango Rouge or the sumptuous District Green which gives a real presence to the Audi A5. No less than 8 rim models are also available, in 19 or 20 inches (20 inches on our S5). Finally, the callipers can be painted in red and the front gills like the grille surround and the mirrors in black via a specific style pack. If with that you manage to choose me a black Audi with black rims, it is because you are doing it on purpose!

The changes are sharper inside with a new center console that sees the disappearance of the selection wheel and the appearance of a screen worthy of the name of 10.1 inches inaugurating the latest version of the MMI Touch Display. Another novelty is the possibility of choosing between a 4 or 5-seater configuration on the Sportback, which retains its very welcoming 480-liter trunk and a royal welcome for rear passengers. But let's not doubt it, THE central place of this Audi S5 Sportback is obviously the driver's seat. The optional S sport seats covered in fine nappa leather with S embossing on the backrests are works of art in themselves. The flat sport steering wheel partially covered in perforated leather fits perfectly in the hand, the real carbon fiber inlays mingle with the Alcantara door trims and the foamed plastic of the dashboard. The Virtual Cockpit is obviously configurable as desired by even choosing two main display modes “Normal” or “Sport”. Audi demonstrates here all its know-how in terms of perceived quality and will delight the most demanding German car enthusiast.

Celebration at the pump

So yes, for the 2020 vintage, Audi is abandoning its famous V6 3.0 L TFSI of 354 hp in favor of the no less known V6 3.0 TDI of “only” 347 hp. A V6 for a V6 is already a good point, rejoice my brothers! The torque is a good not insignificant to go from 500 Nm to 700 Nm! On the performance side, the 0 to 100 km / h however loses 0.2 seconds to reach only 4.9 seconds. The maximum speed remains unchanged at 250 km / h (self-limited). But that would be a bit simplistic to leave it there and you would only blame me for not going over the subject. Indeed, this V6 TDI is associated with a 48 V micro-hybridization which, in addition to providing an efficiency gain, is a real performance vector. The electric compressor acts directly on the intake in the acceleration phases to optimize the shifting already particularly responsive on the 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox. In the end, it is an average consumption displayed of 7.0 L / 100 kms (WLTP), better still at equivalent standard, the difference increases to reach almost 2.0 L / 100 kms (7.7 vs 6.1 according to the previous NEDC figures). A major asset for a car ultimately intended for heavy rollers rather than track-day enthusiasts. 

So obviously for me, we lose in the change, especially as the entry-level price for the S5 Sportback took almost € 4,000 in passing. But is it really a bad car? Certainly not! She demonstrates a versatility that I would not have suspected. On the motorway, it is a rail, consumption remains tirelessly under 9.0 L / 100 kms despite a regulator at 150 (in Germany as you can imagine). Confined in my semi-bucket seat, I take advantage of the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound system with 3D sound, a must-have to check during the configuration which will be exchanged for a check for € 1,030 and which climbs directly into my top 3 audio systems that I have been able to experience in the car.

The Audi Drive Select does not offer a “Sport” mode, surely to avoid alienating Diesel detractors. There is therefore a dynamic mode which acts on the direction, the suspensions, the engine response according to the stroke of the accelerator pedal, the changing of gears and finally the noise. Yes yes you heard that right. Even if at low load and low in the revs you can undoubtedly recognize the slight slamming of the Diesel unit, as you progress in the revs, the sound becomes more hoarse, more present, more full. And it's not at all unpleasant on the contrary Audi has done things well. The sound is not just an artifice coming from the speakers but an almost natural sound obtained thanks to a lot of work on the exhaust, at the level of the left silencer. I say “on the left” because on the right, 

And if the winding is not the favorite terrain of our S5 Sportback of almost 1.9 tonnes empty, it is nonetheless surprising by its handling in bends. No need to hang on to the wheel, the S5 seems to camp naturally on its positions with a particularly low suspension travel without feeling that the car “hits” with each imperfection of the road. A real feat with its 20-inch rims and a downright sports-style chassis. Despite dazzling acceleration which will have surprised more than one (to believe that the Turbo Blue color makes you want to race), the “sporty” driving remains somewhat artificial. The car does absolutely everything for me and I just have to turn the steering wheel one way or the other without at any time asking myself “is this happening?”. It's an Audi, 

Can we blame him?

It's time for pain, and you will have to pay € 100,160 to configure your S5 Sportback identically, compared to € 80,200 to access the base model. Note that the prices for the S5 Coupé and Sportback are the same except for the euro. What can we say about this S5 Sportback except that we can not blame it after all. On the contrary, its positioning makes sense compared to the RS5 also available in Sportback and from € 97,570. Maybe making S5 and RS5 coexist was duplicating? Maybe the demand for a sporty Diesel model is really high? In any case, the switch to Diesel doubly lowers the score: for the customer as well as for the manufacturer. For the customer, lower consumption and CO2 emissions (and therefore a reduced penalty for French customers).

In a few numbers

Dimensions: 4670x1850x1370
Empty weight: 1885 kg Boot
volume: 480 L
Fuel tank volume: 58 L
Announced combined consumption (WLTP): 7.0 L / 100 km
Announced average CO2 rejection (WLTP): 183-190 gCO2 / km
Cubic capacity: 2967 cc
Power max: 347 hp at 3850 rpm
Max torque: 700 Nm between 2500 and 3100 rpm
Max speed: 250 km / h
0 to 100 km / h: 4.9 sec