There’s always something just a little bit cheeky about a coupé.  Maybe it’s that characteristic roof line, which looks like a flirtatious eyelid closing in a wink.  Maybe it’s the knowledge that all coupés, especially coupés made by Audi, are built for sporty driving for pleasure rather than more utilitarian functions. The 2017 Audi A5 Coupé maintains this classic cheekiness but gives it a modern twist that is more masculine than feminine (especially if you’re the sort of person, like me, who always assigns a personality to a vehicle).

It’s hard to say what the exterior of the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé reminds me of most, what with its distinctive lines, which Audi describes as “chiselled”.  At some angles and in some colours, the combination of crisp lines and classic coupé curves is reminiscent of a shell or a leaf; at other angles, the two-door coupé looks like sharp masculine tailoring.  The combination of sharp lines and fluid, organic curves is apparent at all angles.  Audi have taken to having quite a lot of fun with the design of their LED daytime running lights, and the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé is no exception to this rule, with the DTRs nicely complementing the twin LED headlights.  The 18-inch alloy wheels that come as standard on the two baseline models have the spokes in a classic star shape providing a harmonious contrast with the simple lines seen elsewhere on the body style.

If you find that the exterior styling of the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé is pleasant to the eyes and maybe the touch (I just want to run my fingers along those lines in the hood and along the side but I’d mark the paint), then what’s under that beautifully styled bonnet is likely to appeal to more visceral senses.  There are three options available, and it’s rather hard to choose among them.  First of all comes the 2.0 TFSI S-tronic Sport unit, which is powered by a 2-L turbocharged petrol engine capable of sending 140 kW of power to the front wheels at 4200–6000 rpm (yes, this is the only front wheel drive in the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé lineup) along with 320 Nm of torque in the 1450–5200 rpm, meaning that there’s plenty of twist on tap just about all the time.  This, coupled up to the 7-speed S-tronic transmission, produces a 0–100 sprint time of 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 240 km/h.

Those figures are enough to get plenty of people salivating but there are others who want a bit more – Audi’s famous Quattro drivetrain, for example.  The other two offerings in the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé range are both Quattro four-paws, with my pick of the two being the 2.0 TDI Quattro S-Tronic Sport, as I’m a fan of (a) diesel fuel and (b) having lots of torque low down in the range, which is 400 Nm at 1750–3000 rpm in this case.  This is also the most frugal of the three 2017 Audi A5 Coupé offerings, with a combined fuel consumption test figure of 4.2 L/100 km to the “plain” 2.0 TFSI’s 5.5 L/100 km and the 2.0 TFSI Quattro’s 6.5 L/100 km.  It’s the 2.0 TFSI Quattro that’s got the most power and the best 0–100 time, being 185 kW at 5000–6000 rpm and 5.8 s, whereas the diesel I like the most has 140 kW in the 3800–4200 rpm window and a 7.2 sprint time.  The 2.0 TDI has the lowest top speed of 235 km/h to the 2.0 TFSI Quattro’s 250 km/h but given the current legal speed limit, this doesn’t make a lot of difference for daily driving.

All three variants of the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé have the same interior features, such as leather upholstery and sports front seats – and in a two-door coupé, it’s only the front seats that really matter.  However, the two rear seats aren’t all that bad really with good storage and the benefits of the three-zone climate control system, and they fold down 40:20:40 if you want to fit a bit more into the back.  However, you can make the interior of the 2.0 TFSI Quattro really look different from the other two thanks to the ambient lighting package – you get 30 selectable colours and 5 colour profiles to play with according to your (wish I had this sort of thing in my front room!).  All three variants of the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé have MMI navigation as standard, a package that includes 3D maps, voice control and a 7-inch display screen, as well as connectivity via Audi’s smartphone interface for Apple or Android that allows music streaming via Bluetooth – and you’ve got a Wifi hotspot full-time in the car!

Another standard feature you’ll find in all 2017 Audi A5 Coupé models is the Audi Virtual Cockpit with its 12.3-inch colour display screen. You will certainly need a lot of space to display all the information that you can have coming at you from all the driver aids, such as the side assistance that keeps an eye on the blind spot, the rear cross-traffic warning sensor and the rear view camera.  As I’m a cyclist as well as a driver, I’m very pleased to see that Audi also includes a cyclist warning function in the form of the Exit Assistance, which checks for and alerts you for oncoming cyclists BEFORE you open the door.  Thanks, Audi; this feature is much appreciated and I wish all cars had it.  Similarly, pedestrians will appreciate how the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé features pedestrian detection in its front impact detection system.  I’m not sure if the tailgater behind you will appreciate the pre-sense rear impact mitigation measures, as these include flashing the hazard lights like mad to alert the idiot crawling up your bumper and threatening to spoil the fine looks of your coupé’s rear end.   Those who really appreciate this sort of driver aid can also opt to get an Assistance Package upgrade that takes these to another level; it’s the closest thing you can get to an autonomous car while still staying in full control and enjoying the fun of driving.

Overseas model of 2017 Audi A5 Coupé shown.

Driving the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé is supposed to be fun, and the drive select function allows you to choose from whichever of the five possible modes is the most fun for you (or the most appropriate for the situation).  The fun is assisted by the ESC stability control system, which features ABS braking, ASR, EDL and brake assistance.  Once you’ve got your hands onto the leather-trimmed steering wheel, you’ll long to get those paddle shifters dancing up and down the gears as you put the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé through its paces.

As well as all the standard features, there are heaps of packages and optional extras available for the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé, including the premium paint options.  Out of these extra paint choices, I’d go for the Tango Red – what else but bright red would be cheeky enough for a great coupé?

Current model series include:

• 2017 Audi A5 Coupé 2.0 TFSI S-Tronic
• 2017 Audi A5 Coupé 2.0 TDI Quattro
• 2017 Audi A5 Coupé 2.0 TFSI Quattro

For any more information on the 2017 Audi A5 Coupé, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Audi dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!