Meet the new Audi A5. While the A5 certainly isn’t an old name, it has a completely different purpose this time around, as it replaces the A4 sedan globally. But why? Because this aligns with Audi’s new naming strategy, where its odd number cars are combustion-engined, while the even numbered cars belong to the EV lineup. The Audi A5 will eventually make its way to India as well, but don’t start asking about the timeframe just yet.
You’ll remember the Audi A4 for its smooth, understated design. The Audi A5, however, kicks that philosophy out of the park. It’s not that this car isn’t understated; it is, in its own ‘Audi-esque’ way. However, there is a lot more edginess in its design elements. There are larger air vents on either sides of the front bumpers, sleeker 3D-designed headlights with new digital light signatures, and a new Singleframe grille with a honeycomb pattern.
The A5 also appears to have a muscular stance with its flared wheel arches and a prominent shoulder line. At the rear, the diffuser and twin-tailpipes treatment add sportiness, while the digital OLED tail lights connected tail lights are in keeping with the current design trends. It also retains the full hatch tailgate, which you have seen on the A4 too.
Under the hood, the Audi A5 comes with a wide range of petrol and diesel powertrains, with mild-hybrid tech as well. However, don’t expect the 2.0-litre diesels to come to India. The petrol lineup features a 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit with varying outputs, and a 3.0-litre turbo petrol reserved for the S5 sportscar. We are likely to receive the 2.0-litre turbo petrol with a variable geometry turbo, producing 201 bhp, and optional Quattro all-wheel drive.
What’s it got in terms of equipment? Among many things, the A5 gets a new panoramic curved MMI display, featuring a 11.9-inch virtual cockpit, and a 14.5-inch MMI touch display. Audi has also borrowed a leaf from Porsche and given it an optional 10.9-inch passenger display screen. Other functions and infotainment functions can now be operated via a head-up display.
Audi has not confirmed when the A5 will come to India, but it eventually will, and with the A5 replacing the A4 globally, we can expect an all-electric A4 sedan in the works. Given that Audi plans to launch over 20 new models between 2024 and 2025, we don’t think the wait should be that long.
