In 1994, Audi launched a car that would make it a true contender in the European midsize sedan market. That model was the A4, and hits a significant milestone this year.
As the A4 turns 30, Audi celebrates that achievement by effectively killing it off. Wait, what?
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To clarify, the A4 as we know it today will soon cease to exist. That’s because the all-new Audi A5 will take over its role. Confused? We’ll give you the oversimplified explanation.
In a couple of years, Audi will be naming all its fuel-fed models with odd numbers, while the electric vehicles will get even numbers. Models such as the A4, A6, Q4, and so on will use the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), er, platform. That means the A3, A5, A7, and succeeding models will stick to internal combustion and utilize the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) chassis.
So, on to the all-new Audi A5. As it essentially becomes the new A4, it also inherits its body styles. Well, sort of. The redesigned A5 is now available as a station wagon or Avant in Audi speak, along with a sedan. That said, it’s more like a liftback that looks like a sedan. Think Sportback but with a longer tail.
As for looks, it’s an evolution of the brand’s design language, which in turn was also derived from two generations ago. You have dynamic headlights with the signature Audi grille taking up most of the space. Flared wheelarches add a bit of sportiness and character, and the rear lights are of the full-width variety.
Taking a page from fellow Volkswagen Auto Group member Porsche, the 2025 Audi A5 gets screens plastered all over the dashboard. The company calls it the MMI panoramic display. It consists of an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and the 14.5-inch infotainment screen. Optional is the 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display. Typical in most modern German luxury cars, the button count has been reduced.
Moving past the screens, the A5 features a wraparound dashboard and you can expect high-grade interior materials in there. This is an Audi after all. Given the bigger body, there’s expected to be more room inside, not that the last two generations of the A4 were cramped. But because of the liftback tailgate, the cargo space for the sedan has increased dramatically. The Avant remains cavernous in its loading bay.
Now, for the engines. At launch, the range kicks off with two tunes for its 2.0-liter TFSI (Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection) mill. The first one puts out 148hp (front-wheel drive only) while the more second option makes 201hp (available with Quattro all-wheel drive). We can expect an even more powerful version of that engine down the line, mainly to cater for the North American market.
Surprisingly, Audi still offers diesel power for this model. For now, there’s only one version available. It’s the 2.0 TDI with 201hp and 400Nm of torque, although it’s possible that different power outputs will be offered. Both TFSI and TDI engines come with a mild-hybrid system and a dual-clutch transmission.
Of course, there are also performance versions on hand. Alongside the A5 are the S5 models, both in sedan and Avant guises. Audi didn’t take the downsized route for the S5, sticking with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, albeit with mild-hybrid tech. This boosted six punches out 362hp with Quattro all-wheel drive.
S5 models use an uprated dual-clutch transmission, dubbed S-Tronic in this case. It also comes with a sport differential, effectively serving as a limited slip differential. That then works in conjunction with an advanced torque vectoring system.
Sales will kick off in November 2024 in Europe with the rest of the world to follow. The question now is if local distributor PGA Cars will bring this model in given that it stopped offering the A4 a few years ago. Fingers crossed they bring this one in. If so, we’d buy the Avant with our imaginary money.
