2017 Audi A5 Sportback and S5 Sportback shown at Paris show

The 2017 Audi A5 Sportback has made its world debut at the Paris motor show.

Cabin space

The new four-door model offers more cabin space than its coupé equivalent while sharing the same line-up of engines.

The cabin space of the new A5 Sportback is 17mm longer than the old car's. The more practical body shape offers passengers 11mm of extra shoulder space and rear knee room has grown by 24mm.

The Sportback’s boot space is up by 15 litres to 480 litres. With the rear seats down – they’re arranged in a 40/20/40 layout – luggage capacity grows to 1300 litres.

Engines and gearbox

Like the coupé, the Sportback gets 2.0-litre TFSI petrol and 2.0-litre TDI diesel turbocharged four-cylinder units in various states of tune and the range is topped by a 282bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder TDI diesel.

The A5 Sportback is offered with the choice of a six-speed manual or eight-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

As with the coupé, a performance-focused S5 model is available with a 3.0-litre TFSI petrol unit that produces 349bhp. A g-tron model that can run on natural gas is offered on the European continent, but not in the UK due to a lack of refuelling infrastructure.

Chassis

The model has front-wheel drive as standard, but quattro four-wheel drive is offered as an option and comes as standard on the 282bhp 3.0-litre and S5 variants. Those two models also get optional sport differentials to further boost traction.

The entry-level car sits on 17in wheels, with 18in wheels available for higher-spec models. Top-of-the-range A5s and the S5 get 19in wheels.

As standard, the A5 Sportback features variable suspension that uses continuous damping control technology. The system works in tandem with the car’s four driving modes: Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Efficiency.

Technology

As with the coupé, the A5 Sportback gives buyers the choice of an optional Virtual Cockpit system, which includes a 12.3in high-definition digital instrument panel, as well as the latest evolution of Audi’s MMI (Multi Media Interface) Plus infotainment system. This uses an 8.3in monitor, touch-sensitive rotary controller and LTE connectivity for up to three years free of charge via a SIM card permanently installed in the car.

There’s also optional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a wireless smartphone charging pad and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Driver assist programmes include collision avoidance auto braking, adaptive cruise control that can bring the car to a halt, traffic jam assist, park assist, cross-traffic assist rear, exit warning, turn assist, collision avoidance assist and camera-based recognition of traffic signs.

Pricing and on-sale date

Audi is yet to confirm the car’s pricing, but a small increase is expected over the outgoing model, which starts at £30,035. Order books will open this autumn.

Rivals will include the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé.

Click here to read our review of the 2017 S5 Sportback