Sportback

2018 Audi S5 Sportback 17a (2)

2018 Audi S5 Sportback 3.0T quattro Tiptronic – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

by

We can thank the SUV/Crossover craze again for this – with buyers so used to the flexibility of the big box, it has raised interest again in wagons and hatchbacks. Interesting, because a few years ago, manufacturers were saying customers didn’t want hatches and wags – but the customer is king! I want my Sportback back, Sportback back, Sportback back… Yes, this does make us hungry for ribs, but let’s go on. When Audi recently introduced their new A5 Coupe – which we tested and loved – they also introduced a 4-door hatchback model they named “Sportback”.  Even more exciting, …

Keep reading

2018 Kia Stinger GT1 RWD V6TT – Road Test Review – By Ben Lewis

by

  We’ve been very impressed by Kia lately. It seems every new model is exceptionally good. But now we have something completely different: The Kia Stinger. Offering something you won’t find at any Toyota, Nissan or Honda dealer – a high performance rear-wheel-drive sedan. From the design, you’d think they’re taking on the new Audi A5 Sportback, and the performance the BMW 5-series. So, Kia is clearly targeting the European thoroughbreds. But does the Stinger have the horse-sense to back it up? Ich bin ein Frankfurter… No, not the hot dog. It’s no surprise that Stinger looks so European. Kia …

Keep reading

470944

Update1 – 2017 Audi e-Tron Sportback Concept – Previews Q5-Sized 2019 EV

by

Audi’s astounding sales growth is slowing to a near halt lately.  The firm needs to expand its range horizontally as well as vertically with new model sizes.  The horizontal expansion will add hybrid variants and EVs to similar sizes of Audi’s we know and love today. Unlike just swapping engines, these e-tron models require to be unique platforms from the ground up. There is simply no other way to incorporate flat-pack batteries (a la Tesla) in a conventional chassis. A fresh hint at Audi’s new mission is the 2017 E-Tron Sportback concept.  This full EV just bowed in Shanghai with …

Keep reading

a169147_large

2018 Audi A5 and S5 Sportback – 4-Door Coupes Coming to USA!

by

Terrific news from Audi!  The list of cars not offered in the USA is now slimmer than ever from Audi.  The coveted A5/S5 Sportbacks are the latest pair to join the American sales lists. These two are billed as 2018 models and are set for their first USA arrivals around May of 2017.  They will go head to head with the BMW 430i/440i Gran Coupes and the yet-to-be-revealed Mercedes-Benz CLC four-door-coupes. They both promise pretty outstanding performance.  The A5 with a turbo four scoots to 60-mph in just 5.7-seconds, while the S5 with its supercharged six drops that down to …

Keep reading

Audi RS 7 Sportback performance

2016 Audi RS6 and RS7 Debut New Performance Spec: +45HP and +45MPH = 190MPH vMax!

by

Quickest and fastest Audi’s of all time? Certainly among four-door models! The just-revealed top spec for the already-mighty RS6 and RS7 focuses under the hood, so delivers its S-Model-smacking performance upgrades in fairly subtle fashion. Certainly when static, the RS6 and RS7 performance (low-case P in Performance is on purpose by Audi) just looks like a loaded existing model. One featuring the largest forged alloys available, matte silver detailing and quattro 3D script in the front bumper. Versus even the RS6 Plus from before, however, the V8TT in the new ‘performance’ trims is mighty impressive. Power leaps up to 605-ponies …

Keep reading