In a first for Audi Jamaica, its Oxford Road showroom hosted the launch of three vehicles in one night, Friday, September 19.

“We’re excited about having done this,” Channa Kay Walker, sales manager, Audi Jamaica, told the
Jamaica Observer’s weekly
Auto magazine.

The three models were the Audi A5 sedan, the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron, and the Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron. All represent an interesting mix of options for buyers, with two sedans, one SUV; two electric vehicles (EVs), and one industrial combustion-powered car.

The A5 and A6 are four-door sedans. The Q6 Sportback e-tron is the coupé-styled version of the recently released Q6 e-tron SUV. The A5 is petrol-powered, while the A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron are EVs.

The A5 is part of the new direction for Audi, which began with the Q6 e-tron. The A5 is the first model on the Premium Platform Combustion, and continues on Audi’s new naming structure — all even-numbered models will be EVs and odd-numbered models will be combustion vehicles. This makes the A4 moniker the all-new A5. Using a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder under its bonnet, the A5 is a bigger car featuring a sporty coupé-like body shape. It has a new wider and flatter Singleframe grille that has a three-dimensional honeycomb structure.

Audi’s motorsport heritage continues to shape current models as the profile incorporates elements of the original Ur-quattro. The rear is highlighted by a three-dimensional light strip. All exterior lighting is digital OLED, pushing beyond traditional vehicle illumination methods and behaviours.

Inside, the A5 inherits the technology from the Q6 e-tron. Audi calls this the E3 electronic architecture, including the MMI panoramic display, a combination of the 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit screen, the 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a new head-up display. There is an optional 10.9-inch front passenger display. Otherwise, the A5 has a generous sense of space, high levels of comfort and ergonomics.

The A5 sedan is only available in a single trim with the S line package.

“Electrification has been going well for the Audi brand. As a matter of fact, we had two partners at the launch event tonight, Evergo and Solar Buzz, giving presentations,” said Walker.

Both electric models are built on the Premium Platform Electric, with the Q6 Sportback e-tron, the coupé version of the recently released Q6 e-tron, and the A6 Sportback e-tron, an all-new sedan. The two have a 100kWh battery that supports DC fast charging up to 270kWh, and AC charging at 11kWh. The range is rated over 600km. Both are motivated by a single electric motor powering the rear wheels. The A6 generates 362bhp and the Q6 326bhp.

They all benefit from Audi’s current OLED exterior lighting technology and use the E3 electronic architecture on the inside. However, the A6 goes a bit further, having power-folding virtual exterior side mirrors and a panoramic glass roof with switchable opacity, while going down in history as it is the Audi with the lowest drag coefficient.

“We have the all-new Audi Q5, which is our bread and butter, coming later this year. And then the all-new Q3 coming next year. So, we’re excited about those,” Walker said.

The A6 Sportback e-tron uses video cameras for its side view mirrors. (Photo: Rory Daley)

The A5 uses a two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. (Photo: Rory Daley)

Electric or petrol-powered, all three Audis gain extensive technological upgrades, inside and out. (Photo: Rory Daley)

Kellise Wong, group marketing manger, ATL Automotive, grabs a picture with the A6 Sportback e-tron. (Photo: Rory Daley)