Audi has introduced a new body style in the Indian car market and it comes in two avatars – the four-door Sportback and the two-door Cabriolet. The four-door comes in two iterations – one with the 2.0-litre diesel engine for the regular users and the S5 with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol whipping out close to 350bhp of power. The A5 Sportback is priced at Rs 54.02 lakhs while the S5 will cost you Rs 70.60 lakhs, ex-showroom India. The convertible soft-top Cabriolet is priced at 67.51 lakhs. So here is a rundown on all the cars that you can have a look at if you have the buying itch.
Let us start with the A5. At 54.02 lakhs, the A5 walks straight into the executive premium sedan category. Here we have the Volvo S90, the BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes E-Class, the Audi A6 and the Jaguar XF fighting tooth and nail. The E-Class with its long wheelbase dominates the luxury segment while the BMW and the Jaguar fight it out to lure the ‘enthusiasts’ in the market. The A5’s larger sibling, the A6, seeks out those who like a bit of glam.
Apart from these direct competitors, you also have the middle-weight luxury SUVs like the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Land Rover non-identical twins, namely the Discovery Sport and the Range Rover Evoque. You also have the Volvo XC60, which is rather dated and it won’t be much of a choice till the new generation car comes in 2018 or 2019.
The Audi S5 is a cult car. You won’t be able to differentiate between the A and the S unless you look for the larger wheels and the front and rear splitters and of course, the red brake callipers. At Rs 70.60 lakhs, it is cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG and has more power and space than the Merc. You also have the Ford Mustang close-by but the pony car is a two-door with rear seats that can, at best be treated as stowage. In case you want something different and power is not really a criterion, you can go for the Volvo V90 Cross Country or you can opt for regular choices like the Mercedes-Benz GLE or the BMW X5.
Finally, it’s the Cabriolet’s turn. The A5 Cabriolet goes head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz C300 Cabriolet. While both are of similar sizes, the Mercedes gets a rather powerful petrol engine and a price tag much lower than the Audi. You also get the Land Rover Discovery, the entry-level trim at this price along with its sporty cousin, the Jaguar F-Pace.
