Remember when the Audi S5 coupe was launched with a stonking great 4.2-liter V8? We do. And that makes today a sad day, because arriving later this year will be an S5 TDI. Boo.
That’s right, just a week after Audi announced that motorists in Europe would only be able to buy a diesel S6 or S7, it is now giving us the option of filling up with the same kind of fuel after buying an S5.
Audi is clearly backing diesel power, even if the markets aren’t. The new S5 will get Ingolstadt’s 3.0 TDI V6 engine, which will be connected to a 48-volt mild hybrid system to give 342hp and an annoyingly impressive 699NM of torque.
Of course, as Audi states, the TDI with hybrid power is probably the perfect engine for a luxo-cruiser as it gives far lower fuel consumption (a claimed 19.34km/L, versus the petrol S5’s 15.6km/L) and seamless stop/start.
Though despite its extra torque, the TDI is also 0.1 seconds slower to 100kph than the petrol—which does the sprint in 4.7 seconds. All engines are limited to 250kph top speeds though.
So, that’s the news then—you can now buy your new S5 coupe or Sportback (there’s no word on a convertible TDI) with a diesel engine. But would you?
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
