Audi bids farewell to the A4 sedan and ushers in the A5 as its new global offering.
In a major shakeup, Audi has replaced the A4 sedan with a new A5 that comes in both sedan and wagon styles. This is part of their new naming scheme: even numbers for electric vehicles and odd numbers for gasoline-powered cars.
The A5 rides on a brand new platform called Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), a significant upgrade from the older MLB platform used in the A4. While PPC is designed for gasoline engines, it’s also flexible enough to handle future hybrid options. Interestingly, Audi won’t be offering a plug-in hybrid A5 at this time.
The performance-oriented S5 variant boasts a V6 engine with a mild-hybrid system, pushing out a healthy 367 horsepower.
The new platform brings more than just a name change for the A5. It’s bigger in all directions with an extra 67mm in length, 13mm in width, and a whopping 68mm longer wheelbase compared to the A4 it replaces. The design keeps the familiar Audi look but adds some flair with muscular wheel arches, fancy OLED headlights with customizable patterns, and of course, prominent exhaust tips.
Step inside and you’ll be greeted by a high-tech wonderland inspired by the Q6 e-tron. The centerpiece is a massive curved screen combining an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. This screen even controls the climate and seat adjustments. For an extra dose of luxury, you can opt for a 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen that comes with a special privacy filter to keep the driver focused on the road.
Under the hood, the A5 gets a boost in efficiency with the all-new 48V mild-hybrid system called MHEV Plus. This system goes beyond the usual setup by adding a central motor generator, allowing for more energy recapture during braking (up to 25kW, compared to 8kW in the old S4). This translates to better fuel economy and a bit more power, with the MHEV Plus adding 18kW (24hp) and 230Nm of torque.
The A5 offers a choice of gasoline and diesel engines, all featuring a new 48V mild-hybrid system for improved efficiency. The base option is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine in two states of tune: 150 horsepower and a sportier 204 horsepower version that can be equipped with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system. Diesel fans get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit with 204 horsepower, also benefitting from the mild-hybrid tech.
For those seeking top performance, the S5 boasts a 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with the mild-hybrid system, unleashing a mighty 367 horsepower. And if you’re looking for an even greener option, fret not – a plug-in hybrid A5 is expected to join the lineup next year in international markets.
Audi hasn’t announced an official launch date for the new A5 in India yet. However, based on Audi India’s history of offering the A4, it’s likely the A5 will eventually make it to the Indian market. Here’s what we can speculate based on the information available:
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- Considering the A4 has been in the Indian lineup for a long time and received its latest update in September 2022, there’s a good chance the A5 will be launched eventually.
- Since the A5 comes in both sedan and wagon styles globally, it’s expected that only the sedan variant will be offered in India.
- The A5 will likely come with petrol engine options only, similar to the current A4.
- When launched, it will compete with the likes of the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series.
While a specific launch date isn’t available, stay tuned for updates from Audi India!
