2009 Design of the Year: 2009 Audi A5

Last year, after disputing Volkswagen Group design chief Walter de'Silva's assertion that Audi's A5 is his best-ever design, we went on to confirm that he had indeed created a beautiful car. Just how beautiful has been clarified by seeing A5s on the road, but no one really fully appreciates the quality of its total design before driving it.

The first point of appreciation comes when you approach the car, finding it bigger and more substantial than it seemed in static auto-show conditions. The second comes when you open the door to find one of the best interiors offered today, for any car at any price. Audis have had excellent interiors for many years, but the A5 surpasses previous models. A driver senses that a special effort was made just to please him, yet passengers, too, are flattered by the seating comfort and the obvious care in assembling the details. This is clearly a car made for going places, a true grand tourer.

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M53R - 11/15/2008 10:46:14 AM

+5 Boost

Yes, it's one of the best looking cars out there, but Audi is abusing this by making ALL their line-up look like the A5, interior and exterior wise! IMO this made it lose its special appearance, and it's starting to get boring. Please dont make the A8 a bigger 4 door A5...

WorldofLuxury - 11/15/2008 2:11:57 PM

+2 Boost

+1

I don't know what Audi can or should do, but if they've got great designers, they should be able to figure out something.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/16/2008 1:27:10 AM

+1 Boost

I don't know about the exteriors (A5 still looks amazing compared to the others, IMO), but the interiors I whole-heartedly agree with. There is nothing really special about the A5's interior. it looks exactly like the A6, and the A4, and the Q5, and the Q7 on the inside. I'm really getting annoyed and I hope Wolfgang Egger (Audi's new head of design, who came from Alfa) can simplify and beautify the interiors a bit. They really should've used the A8 as a template for all of these new models instead of the A6.

tattedtwice - 11/15/2008 2:13:53 PM

-8 Boost

This car makes me yawn. It's average looking at best, but audi has quickly become the new benz; no matter how boring or downright ugly (r8), the press will adore it.

As ugly as it is, I'd say the altima37...uh, I mean g37 coupe looks more interesting than the a5.

aarononymous - 11/15/2008 3:56:58 PM

+5 Boost

nice try....need to step your Audi hating up a notch though...

IamEvilHomer - 11/15/2008 9:47:58 PM

+1 Boost

did amazing get a new screenname

S4cabriofoxone - 11/16/2008 1:28:15 AM

+3 Boost

"no matter how boring or downright ugly (r8), the press will adore it. "

You're legally handicapped, enjoy your parking permit!

open_mind - 11/16/2008 10:12:11 AM

+2 Boost

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but no car (indcluding exotics) has been more universally lauded for its looks than the r8. The statement about the press just makes absolutely no sense--in essence they are not also people entitled to their opinion, only tattedtwice? No car will ever satisfy 100% of the people, but in my opinion, to call the r8 "downright ugly" just means the car is more attention grabbing to those few who hate it (mostly fanboys) which makes them more defensive. It is one of the few cars that multiple articles has called "sex on wheels". Because we are talking superficiality here (looks), it should also be mentioned that it was car of the year from Playboy, which is mostly about looks.

open_mind - 11/16/2008 1:57:46 PM

+1 Boost

I can respect that intelligent opinion. I would not deboost that. It is ugly to some. Again, being good looking is an individual preference, and to a great many people I talk to about cars, it is simply stunning (not just magazine articles).

S4cabriofoxone - 11/16/2008 4:47:43 PM

-1 Boost

"Tatted is a moron, but.. The R8 is ugly in my opinion too. From straight infront or directly behind it looks fine, but as soon as you catch the side view it becomes amazingly disproportionate."

Have you seen one? Pictures don't do the car justice. Everything that you thought was disproportionate about it falls to the wayside when you see it on the road. The car is not a classic beauty along the lines of an XK or Aston, but it's the sexiest car you can get for under $120K.

"And, i still follows predictable Audi styling, it really has none of the flair that a mid-engined sportscar should have (from things like the lotus exige all the way up to the Lambo Reventon)."

Alright, now I think you're a loony.

ironlungz - 11/15/2008 2:36:30 PM

+2 Boost

please give me some of that stuff you are smoking, because you must be high.

"downright ugly (r8)".. and I suppose the Nissan Versa.. uh, I mean 350Z is more appealing.

B7FAN - 11/17/2008 11:39:35 AM

+2 Boost

I will give it that it does have a ot of sex appeal