Elegant as it was, and despite the fact that its beauty was said to have even brought tears to the eyes of its designer Walter de'Silva, the Audi A5 has also been accused of being a little straight-laced in the looks department.
Not to worry - the German design department has just given it some more zing, along with some revised engines, in the midlife update for the range (comprising A5, S5 and RS 5), which has just reached South Africa.
And what a range it is! With various engines and three body styles to choose from - Coupé, Cabriolet and Sportback - there is a total of 19 models on offer.
FAMILY STYLE
The A5, S5 and RS 5 keep it in the family as far as style goes, with new slanted headlights and redesigned grille with bevelled upper edges creating a strong resemblance to the A1 and A6.
The new bumper also features bolder air inlets with large struts and flat fog lights. Shedding light on the situation, the standard xenon plus headlights have LED daytime running lights while the rear lights have been restyled too and are optionally available with continuous LED strips.
FUEL AVOIDANCE
It's high-tech across the board if you peek beneath the bonnets of these cars, all models (barring the RS 5) boasting force-fed direct injection engines with idle stop systems and energy recuperation. CO2 emissions have been reduced by as much as 22 percent.
While the output of the 2-litre TFSI petrol model remains unchanged at 155kW, a new 200kW/400Nm supercharged 3.0 V6 TFSI variant replaces the previous 3.2 V6 and according to Audi it'll screech from 0-100km/h in just 5.8 seconds and sip 8.1 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.
On the diesel front, the 2-litre TDI is now good for 130kW and sips just 4.7 l/100km, while the 180kW 3.0 TDI averages 5.7 l/100, according to claims.
THE HEAVY HITTERS
There's also good news for performance fans as the previous naturally aspirated 4.2 V8 lump makes way for the 245kW version of the aforementioned supercharged V6 - as per the S4. This one boasts a zero to 100km/h sprint of 4.9 seconds and average consumption of 8.1 l/100km, a 20 percent improvement.
The king of the range, however, is the RS 5 Coupé with its high-revving, naturally aspirated 4163cc V8 that pushes 331kW at 8250rpm and 430Nm from 4000rpm. Expect to dart from 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds.
As far as drivetrains are concerned, front-wheel drive A5 models are available with the multitronic continuously variable gearbox, while the quattros come with Audi's seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic 'box. The latter versions also feature the crown-centre differential with torque vectoring that was first seen on the RS 5.
SAFELY PLANTED
The A5 range continues with the five-link front and the trapezoidal-link rear suspension system, of which most components are made of aluminium, and to mark the update, the rear suspension bearings and damper tuning have been updated.
HIGH-TECH TOYS
Interior updates are on the subtle side, with a new selection of upholstery and inlays and new paint covering the bezels on the instrument cluster and centre console.
You'll also find a redesigned selector lever for the automatic transmission and revised controls for the aircon and multifunction steering wheel. All displays are now illuminated in white.
Audi has also updated the infotainment systems, a highlight being the optional flagship MMI navigation plus with a 20gb hard drive, seven-inch colour monitor, 3D graphics and a DVD player.
Included in the standard kit count is the new driver information system that tells you to take a break when it senses, through steering motions and other parameters, that you're getting tired.
Other assistance systems include an active lane changing assistant and adaptive cruise control
THE BILL:
COUPE:
2.0 TDI multitronic - R437 000
2.0T FSI multitronic - R457 000
2.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R477 000
3.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R571 000
3.0 TDI quattro S tronic - R569 000
S5 3.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R675 000
RS 5 4.2 V8 quattro S tronic - R908 000
SPORTBACK:
2.0 TDI multitronic - R427 000
2.0T FSI multitronic - R447 000
2.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R467 000
3.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R561 000
3.0 TDI quattro S tronic - R559 000
S5 3.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R665 000
CABRIOLET:
2.0 TDI multitronic - R497 000
2.0T FSI multitronic - R517 000
2.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R537 000
3.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R631 000
3.0 TDI quattro S tronic - R629 000
S5 3.0T FSI quattro S tronic - R735 000