Audi A5 News

Australians have a "strange love" for big wheels and option packs, according to Audi executives - and Ingolstadt is taking notice.

Audi has announced prices for the new-generation A5, which has landed in Australia with a completely new design and armed with the latest technology, but its arrival means the end of era.The pressure is piling on Audi with the brand discontinuing its internal combustion variants of the A4 and putting all its faith in the new-gen A5 to compete against BMW's 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class. Just to add to the pressure it is also understood this A5 may well be the last version fitted with an internal combustion engine. So this new generation A5 could be a significant one, possibly the last of its kind.With that in mind let’s look at the just-released A5 pricing. The A5 Sedan kicks off the range at $79,900 and steps up to  $114,900 for the sporty S5 sedan. A wagon bodystyle or Avant will only be offered in the S5 grade and for $117,900. A special Edition One of both the S5 sedan and S5 Avant will also be offered at launch for $99,900 and $102,900, respectively.The A5 now begins at about $10,000 less than before, but it's also $8000 more expensive than the previous entry fee into the outgoing A4.Standard features on the A5 sedan include 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, proximity unlocking, a power tailgate with gesture control, sport seats with leather upholstery power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, a 14.5-inch OLED media display and an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, there’s also Apple CarPlay Android Auto and wireless phone charging.Powering the A5 Sedan is a turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine making 150kW and 340Nm with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.Stepping up to the S5 brings more standard features including 20-inch alloy wheels with red brake calipers, Matrix LED headlights with digital OLED tail lights and privacy glass. Coming standard inside is Nappa leather upholstery with diamond stitching, heated and ventilated front seats with massaging function, there are also here heated second row outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display ambient lighting, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 10.9-inch media display for the front passenger.The S5 Edition 1 comes with extra features including black 19-inch alloy wheels with a five-spoke design, S exterior styling with black elements and gray Audi ring badging, while inside there are heated sports front seats with integrated headrests, stainless steel pedals, a flat top- and bottomed steering wheel, plus microfiber accents and S embroidery throughout the cabin.The S5 is powered by a 270kW/550Nm six-cylinder turbo petrol engine and has Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system delivered through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The S5 also comes with sports suspension with adjustable dampers and a brisk acceleration time with 0 to 100km/h done and dusted in 4.5 seconds. Audi Australia Director Jeff Mannering says the new A5 is a combination of innovation and performance.“The introduction of the new Audi A5 and S5 range highlights our dedication to delivering innovation, luxury, and performance. These vehicles epitomise Audi’s progressive spirit, setting new standards within the premium segment and offering Australian customers a truly compelling proposition in terms of technology, design, and dynamic driving experience.”

Audi's refreshed range gets price-tags ahead of full details later this year.

Audi has reversed the confusing model naming scheme that it assigned two years ago, bowing to feedback from its customers and dealers, the brand said.

By mid -2025, Audi's entire model range will look significantly different.

Audi has revealed its new A4 sedan and wagon, but not as you know it.The German brand has changed the name of the A4 to A5. The next A4 will be an electric car, as will all future even numbered Audi vehicles and odd numbers are reserved for those with petrol or hybrid power.So the new A4 is now the new A5.It is available in sedan and wagon form and is built on the brand’s new Premium Platform Combustion architecture.Both body styles are longer and wider than before and feature updated styling.It has a low slung body with larger wheels and wheelbase - the distance between the front and rear wheels - that give it more luxury appeal.Dynamic LED lighting front and back is paired with a reworked front grille and rear end.All versions will feature mild hybrid technology and there will be performance focused S variants.The standard A5 will be available with the choice of petrol or diesel power.A 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is available in two tunes that pump out either 110kW and 150kW. Both are paired with a dual-clutch auto (with as-yet unknown number of ratios) and all-wheel drive is optional on the more potent variant.A 2.0-litre turbo diesel motor makes 150kW and 400Nm, again matched to a dual-clutch auto and the option of either front or all-wheel drive.The S5 uses a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine to make 270kW sent to all four wheels via a dual-clutch auto.There are a range of tech updates such as a giant 14.5-inch multimedia touchscreen and an 11.9-inch digital cockpit. There is also an optional 10.9-inch display for the front seat passenger.Audi is expected to add a plug-in hybrid version at a later date. That model pairs an efficient petrol engine with a sizeable battery and an electric motor to deliver a driving range of up to 100km.

It's not unusual for carmakers to test their vehicles in Australia before being launched - or even revealed - globally. Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Toyota have all done it, Holden did before it closed and Ford still has a significant engineering and testing program in Victoria.

Audi has given most of its range a safety and features updated for its 2024 model year, with just about the entire Audi range now coming with features like adaptive cruise control as standard.

Audi Australia has added a touch of darkness to its A4, A5 Sportback, Q2, Q3, A5 and Q7 line-up with the introduction of limited-time Dynamic Black variants.

Audi's next vehicle platform will make its debut underneath the incoming Q6 e-tron SUV, opening the floodgates to a raft of new Audis which will consist of at least half electric cars.