To the untrained eye, Audi’s 2017 A5 and S5 Coupe series may look eerily familiar to the outgoing models, but they’re actually all new – no, they really are.

In a bid to give the all-new A5 Coupe a more distinctive visual identity -and more sex appeal- from the A4 it’s based on, Audi opted for a pair of new headlights with a cleaner shape, instead of the creased-style units and a more curvy bodywork because big coupes should look the part.

All of this of course happened in true Audi fashion and as with the current A4, the new A5 Coupe looks a lot like its predecessor despite the obvious mechanical differences that came with the adoption of the MLB evo platform.

Speaking of which, Audi claims up to 60kg of weight savings when compared to the outgoing model despite the longer wheelbase and the wider tracks of the second generation. The new Audi A5 also features a class-leading 0.25 drag coefficient.

The engine range consists of two petrol and three diesel units. Power outputs start from 187hp for the base 2.0-litre petrol and diesel models, followed by a 248hp version of the 2.0-litre petrol engine. Audi also offers a 3.0-litre V6 TDI unit with either 215hp or 268hp. The new S5 Coupe is powered by a new turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, sending 350hp to all four wheels.

Being the most potent model currently in the range, the new S5 Coupe can sprint from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 4.7 seconds. At the same time the newly developed turbo V6 engine claims to return a combined 32.2mpg US (7.3lt/100km).

Four-cylinder models and the lowered-powered 3.0-litre TDI V6 version can be paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The more powerful 268hp version of the 3.0-litre TDI V6 and the S5 model are offered only with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with Audi offering the rear-axle sport differential for better handling as an option to both models.

As for the latest version of the brand’s all-wheel Quattro system, it will be offered initially as an option only to four-cylinder models with a manual transmission.

The cabin is now more spacious, mainly thanks to the longer wheelbase. The dashboard’s design is the same with the A4, featuring the continuous air-vent strip, ambient lighting and the Virtual Cockpit display as an option. The infotainment uses an 8.3-inch display controlled by the familiar rotary pushbutton with a touchpad.

The all-new A5 Coupe also comes packed with the latest active safety systems, such as the Stop&Go adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, the cross traffic assist rear, collision avoidance assist and turn assist as well as the Audi Pre-Sense systems.

Audi will launch the new A5 and S5 Coupe in Germany and other European countries this fall.

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