AutoGuide.com

The new 2017 Audi A5 and S5 coupes made their debut at a special event in Germany.

Instead of waiting for a major auto show, Audi opted to unveil the latest generation sports coupe at its headquarters in Ingolstadt, providing a more intimate setting for what it considers a design icon. The German automaker kicked off the event by celebrating the two-door coupe body style, bringing out a wide collection of historical Audi coupes leading up to the current Audi A5. It even brought in the Audi RS5 DTM race car that enjoyed great success last season.

Of course, the star of the event was the second-generation Audi A5 coupe, which the company considers the “perfect fusion of form and function.” Like the new Audi A4, it appears at first glance that the Audi A5 received a facelift rather than changes you would expect for an entirely new generation. But given the success of the first-generation Audi A5 coupe, it’s understandable that Audi didn’t have to mess with a recipe that already works.

Overall, it has a fresh, modern and honed appearance with changes to its detailing that really sets it apart from the previous model. For example, the now three-dimensional wave-shaped shoulder line that characterized its predecessor has been refined, with pronounced bulges over the wheel arches that emphasizes all four wheels. Up front, the sculptured Singleframe grille is significantly flatter and wider than before while the LED tail lights complement the optional LED or Matrix LED headlights up front.

SEE ALSO: 2017 Audi A4 Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award

The new Audi S5 is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged engine packing 354 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to hit 62 mph from a standstill in 4.7 seconds. The automaker also promises that fuel consumption has been cut by 20 percent despite the increase in performance from the current 333-hp figure. Audi estimates that the S5 will return up to 32.2 mpg in the U.S.

Naturally, both the Audi A5 and S5 are packed with the latest driver-assistance and infotainment systems that the company has to offer, including the optional Audi virtual cockpit which is available on the coupe for the first time.

At its launch in Germany, the Audi A5 will be available with five different powertrains, two gasoline and three diesel engines. Power output ranges from 190 hp to 286 hp, offering up to 17 percent more performance while consuming as much as 22 percent less fuel than before. Quattro with ultra technology is also available on the A5 for the first time and can be combined with the four-cylinder TFSI and TDI engines with manual transmission.

Like the A4, the A5 went on a diet, trimming as much as 132.3 pounds off the body. It also has a drag coefficient of 0.25, making it the segment leader in aerodynamics.

The interior design of both models has also been streamlined and refined for a cleaner overall appearance. The cabin benefits from increased dimensions and a longer wheelbase while the luggage compartment offers a volume of 16.4 cubic feet, which is 0.4 cubic feet more than its predecessor.

Discuss this story on our Audi A5 Forum