It’s been a while since we’ve gotten a new A5 from Audi - 2007 to be exact. This makes the local introduction of an all-new version of the Ingolstadt automaker’s stylish coupe quite an anticipated one, and the fact that the faster S5 Coupe comes along with it is icing on the cake.
Looking at the A5, the term “all-new” doesn’t spring to mind immediately, though keeping a keen eye on it does reveal that quite a lot has changed. Water de Silva of Audi says that it’s “the most beautiful car I’ve ever designed”.
The new A5 range will comprise of 3 variants and start from $69,900 (including on-road costs), kicking off with the entry-level 2.0-litre TFSI with front-wheel drive. For that, Audi offers 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, MMI infotainment and navigation (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility), and their futuristic Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster as standard.
The step up model is also uses a 2.0-litre motor that outputs 140kW, though it’s powered by diesel, and adds quattro all-wheel drive for $4,000 more. Meanwhile, top-spec A5 gains a more powerful version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol with 185kW and, of course, quattro all-wheel drive for $81,900.
Where the entry-level car of the previous generation A5 Coupe had to make due with a CVT, all A5s now have their shifting duties handled by Audi’s S Tronic dual-clutch transmission.
Lastly we have the S5 Coupe that offers up even more pace and performance for $105,800, replacing the 2.0-litre four-pot with a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 with 260kW and 500Nm that’s 15kW/60Nm more potent than its predecessor’s supercharged engine.
Sprinting to 100km/h from rest takes a rather quick 4.7 seconds, partly thanks to a 60kg weight reduction and a 14kg shaving from the engine alone. To stop the new S5, beefy 350mm front discs and six-piston callipers headline the braking situation.
In addition, the S5 receives a full-suite of Audi’s active safety and pre-collision systems as part of the standard Assistance pack that adds active cruise control with very useful traffic jam assist, lane keep assist, and high-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB).
Across the new A5 range, buyers can also specify the Technik package that upgrades the standard stereo to a Being & Olufsen audio system, and Audi’s fancy Matrix LED headlights. There’s also the lauded quattro sport differential and less universally lauded dynamic ratio steering system available for an extra.
For more on Audi vehicles, including pricing and specifications, check out our Showroom.
