Another new feature are the slightly inclined, low-height main headlight strips on the Nuvolari quattro. They make use of an entirely new technology - super-bright high-performance light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Revolutionary: The LED headlights

LED headlights allow the designer more freedom, since they need less installation space than conventional ones. The cooled high-end lights, 18 on each side, are located much nearer the surface of the cover, which has also been reduced in size, so that the entire front end or the car is more harmonious in its styling.

LED - these three letters not only signify progress for the designers but also offer solid advantages such as longer life and energy consumption ten times lower than that of conventional bulbs.

As if this were not enough, LED technology offers further future potential. In a future development stage, LED headlights will make dynamic cornering beams possible without the need for movable parts in the system. The width and direction of the beam can be specifically adjusted by activating more light elements electronically.

The first mules of the new Audi A5 are undergoing testing in public and at the Nürburgring. The new Audi will be a sporty convertible adapting the design of Audi's concept car Nuvolari. That show car was on display at the Geneva Motor Show in 2003.



The prototype photo shows that the new A5 will be considerably larger than the current A4, almost the size of today's A6. With the A5, Audi expects to be a step ahead of the A4 cabriolet's competition, such as the BMW 3-series Cabrio, the Mercedes CLK and the new VW Eos.



The new Audi A5 convertible is going to be equipped with a traditional canvas top. Power is expected to come from two engines: a 3.0-liter TDI V-6 or a 3.2-liter FSI V-6 delivering 255 hp. The new model is expected to be released by the end of 2007.

Audi is to launch an A4-based coupé in 2007, according to a story in Autocar this week. The range-topping A5, Audi's answer to the M3, will get Audi's 4.2-litre 420bhp V8 and four-wheel drive -- it's effectively a replacement for the quattro. The concept was wheeled out in 2003 at the Geneva Motor Show (see link below for pics).

The car will be of unitary construction, made of steel and use mechanical elements from the A4 and larger A6. A full four seats are planned -- it's not a 2+2 -- and it'll be practical, with 400 litres of luggage space. As a comparison, the current Porsche 911 has a luggage volume of 130 litres.

Engines available will include 150bhp naturally aspirated and 197bhp turbocharged 2.-0-litre powerplants, both four-pot motors, plus a 255bhp 3.2-litre V6. There'll be a brace of diesels too. The range-topper will be the RS5.