What It Is: A detailed look at the second generation of the gorgeous Audi A5, the better-looking brother to the four-door A4. Audi will continue to offer the A5 in coupe and cabriolet forms in the U.S., while Europe will again be treated to the five-door Sportback model. Like the next-gen 2015 A4, the new A5 will feature cutting-edge telematics and assistance systems; a futuristic interior; and tech gadgetry including full-LED headlights, a head-up display, and autonomous driving functionality.

Why It Matters: Audi has led the segment along with BMW since the A5 was introduced in 2007, but never has the competition been this fierce. BMW’s 4-series is all-new, as is Lexus’s RC and Cadillac’s ATS coupe, while Mercedes’ freshly introduced C-class will spawn a two-door next year. If the A5 is to maintain its place at the top of the heap, it must place further emphasis on sportiness and its designers will need to improve upon an already spectacular shape—a tall order, indeed.

You see, the outgoing car is a favorite of Volkswagen Group chief designer Walter de’Silva, and therefore penning the second-gen car carries with it prestige but also massive pressure. We understand that the brand was open to completely re-inventing the A5 design from the ground up, but an evolution of the original ultimately prevailed.

View Photos 2016 Audi A5 coupe (artist's rendering)

Platform: The second-gen A5 will join the 2015 A4 on the second iteration of the VW Group’s MLB modular-longitudinal architecture, which is known as MLB Evo. (This platform also will underpin the next-generation A6, A8, and Volkswagen Phaeton.) The bones will shave some 200 pounds from the A5 versus its predecessor thanks to the use of more aluminum.

Powertrains: Stateside, the A5 is set to continue with two-thirds of the powertrain lineup—albeit with modest increases in power—as offered in the current car. Those engines: a 2.0-liter turbo four in the base car (currently 211 hp) and a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 in the S5 (currently 333 hp). The RS5 will abandon its 450-hp, 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V-8 in favor of a version of the VW Group’s ubiquitous 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8. A six-speed manual will be available, as will a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Competition: BMW 4-series, Cadillac ATS coupe, Lexus RC, Mercedes-Benz C-class coupe.

Estimated Arrival and Price: The 2016 Audi A5 will debut toward the end of this year before arriving on showroom floors at the beginning of 2015. Pricing likely will inch up from the current car’s $39,895 base sticker and will stretch to $70K-plus for the RS5.

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