A Skillful Blend of Sportiness and Elegance

Two-door coupés are popular among adults in Europe and America. In Japan, it might seem that only those with extensive driving experience truly appreciate their merits, but it's a mistake to overlook the coupé's beautiful styling and the sheer joy of driving it.

Especially if you're considering a car now, the Audi A5 Coupé is worth your attention. It recently received the German Federal Design Award, often called the 'Oscars of the German design world,' in Germany. With that in mind, we invited Satoko Koizumi, who is active as a model, to discuss the appeal of Audi with a focus on 'beauty,' from the perspective of how beauty enhances life. Satoko Koizumi is also a passionate car enthusiast.

'When I told friends I was shooting with Audi, they all said, 'Audi is great!'' Satoko Koizumi said with a smile as she appeared. Her presence is striking, just as it is in magazine editorials and advertisements. Her attire today is smart casual. 'I've loved cars since I was young and got my driver's license as soon as I turned 18,' she says, having driven everything from open-top sports cars to SUVs. Her choice of a slightly sporty outfit for this occasion, as if to match the Audi A5 Coupé she's about to drive, suggests a certain level of anticipation.

'The A5 Coupé caught my eye immediately; it's so cool. The styling is elegant, yet it also has a sporty feel. Perhaps Audi's strength lies in skillfully incorporating both aspects. I can see why more and more people are saying Audi is great.'

Reaching the Realm of Design Icons

The Audi A5 Coupé boasts an imposing body with a generous length of 4,625mm. The A5 2.0 TFSI quattro is equipped with an inline four-cylinder DOHC engine with an intercooled turbocharger, while the A5 3.2 FSI quattro features a V6 DOHC engine. Both are paired with the quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. With its high driving stability, capability for high-speed cruising, and excellent handling, it's a product uniquely Audi, achieving high levels of functionality, comfort, and driving pleasure.

Furthermore, the Audi A5 Coupé possesses another distinct characteristic: 'beauty.' It was recently honored with the '2010 German Federal Design Award' by the German Design Council as an outstanding product. This further attests to its high level of design.

Regarding the reception of an award considered the most prestigious among all design awards in Germany, Walter de Silva, Head of Design for the Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi, stated, 'The Audi A5 Coupé is the most beautiful car I have designed, and it is reaching the realm of design icons.' He added that it is an honor for designers and their products, so much so that it is referred to as the 'Oscars of the German design world.'

A Design That Blends Sensual Elements with a Sense of Tension

'Another charm of the A5 Coupé is its interior.' Satoko Koizumi, who enjoys driving herself to the sea or for her golf hobby, paid close attention to the comfort of the interior space while getting in and out of the Audi A5 Coupé during the photoshoot.

'I tend to drive more than I ride in other people's cars. So, when I look at a car, I always imagine myself driving it somewhere. The A5 Coupé's interior has a luxurious feel, and I like how it feels protective. I'd love to drive the A5 Coupé for shopping trips in the city. It has a certain atmosphere, and I think it looks cool when others see it.'

While the beauty of a car is often discussed from the perspective of 'being seen,' the insight of Satoko Koizumi, a leading model, lies in her focus on 'the appeal of being seen.' The Audi A5 Coupé is characterized by a design that combines sensual elements with a sense of tension, achieved through complex, flowing curves and sharp, defined lines at key points.

Furthermore, the interior, while based on an intelligent design, is enhanced by chrome accents and the three-dimensional form of the seats, adding to its visual appeal. Therefore, choosing a car with an eye towards how it will be perceived is certainly a valid consideration, especially for the Audi A5 Coupé.

Gentle Performance That Complements the Driver

While there are many elements that would pique the interest of car enthusiasts, such as the FSI direct injection technology, the quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system with a 40:60 front-to-rear torque split at startup, the Audi valvelift system that adjusts intake valve lift in two stages according to load on the 3.2-liter V6 engine, the S tronic transmission combined with the 2-liter engine offering better fuel economy than a manual and the comfort of an automatic, and the energy recovery system that captures energy generated during braking, it also possesses 'gentle' performance that complements the driver.
Beauty enriches life. This is true for Satoko Koizumi, and it is true for the Audi A5 Coupé.





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