Audi S5 News

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 just-updated A4 and A5 range will welcome their sporty siblings in October, with the brand today detailing the pricing and spec details for the new S4 and S5 range.The angry pair will arrive in Australia in October, with the S4 touching down in S4

Audi Australia is preparing a torrent of new RS and less-potent S models to launch this year that is expected to give a massive boost to its sportscar sales.No less than 12 full-fat Audi Sport models - RS-badged vehicles and the flagship R8 - will either

Audi Australia has upgraded its S3, S4 and S5 performance models with more standard equipment for 2020, two of which go without corresponding price rises.

Soft-top Cabriolet completes the second-generation A5 line-up with similar drivetrains to the Coupe and Sportback variants. Australian introduction slated for before the end of 2017.

Five-door A5 and S5 set to make comeback at Paris, while Australian debut set for mid-2017.

Second-generation Audi A5 appears in Germany ahead of 2017 Australian arrival, sporty S5 to follow

High performance machines from Audi are usually not short of grip thanks to the brand’s tenacious quattro AWD system.But if the road is covered in ice, and the driver lacks skill -- and is driving way too fast for the conditions – no technology in the world can save the day. Here’s the latest entry in the list of things not to do while driving.Watch the desktop version of the Audi ice drift fails

The concept car is being presented as a one-off tribute to the original Quattro of 30 years ago and the fire-breathing Group B rally car it spawned, but there is a chance a similar model could go into production if it gets a positive reaction from the public.“It is a concept car paying homage to the original Quattro and 30 years of Quattro technology,” Audi board chairman, Rupert Stadler tells Carsguide.However, he hints that a positive reaction could see it make it into showrooms in some form or other.  “First of all we want to hear what the public opinion is, then we will have to work. We are looking for good feedback,” Stadler says.If it fails to make it into showrooms, there is a good chance some of the design themes of the concept will be blended into future sporty Audi models.The Quattro concept car is based on an S5 with a 150mm shorter wheelbase, a 40mm lower roof and 200mm has been cut out of the rear overhang. It seats four, but the rear seats are only for little people or big people on a short trip. The custom-made body, which features massively pumped out guards, is primarily made of aluminium but carbon-fibre has been used for the bonnet and rear hatch.A prominent bonnet slit rams air into the turbocharged in-line five cylinder that belts out 300kW and 480Nm. This is a variation of the direct injection five-cylinder engine available in the brutally fast RS5.Given the concept car only weighs 1300kg, there is enough power to sling it from 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. Surprisingly, the concept car is able to complete the 100km combined fuel economy test cycle using just 8.5 litres, which is impressive for such a potent model.Audi has fitted it with a six-speed manual gearbox which is fed through a constant Quattro all-wheel drive system which can send up to 85 per cent of torque to the rear wheels under extreme acceleration.The Quattro concept suspension is made largely from alumimum, as are its chunky 20-inch wheels.  As for the brakes, front six piston calipers grab onto carbon-fibre and ceramic composite discs which Audi says suffer very little fade and are 4kg lighter per corner than smaller steel discs.

All up there are now 26 various Audi models on Australian roads.  The newest variant is a potent supercharged S5 version of the A5 Sportback quattro.  Not only does it get a supercharged V6 but the versatility of a liftback turns the versatile four-door into road rocket with a roomy rear. Anyone familiar with the venerable Saab 900 Combi will appreciate the A5 Sportback. However, Saab never had a meaty supercharged 3.0-litre V6 under the bonnet. Like the rest of the Sportback range, the S5 gets a coupe-like silhouette and four frameless doors.  LED headlights help it stand out on the road, along with the usual S markings like the alloy exterior mirrors and discrete S5 badging. The potent 3.0 TFSI engine packs 245kW/440Nm and is mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox.  It will hit 100km/h in 5.4 seconds and has an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h. The V6 consumes 9.4 litres per 100 km and emits 219g/km of CO2.  Not surprisingly, Audi Australia managing director, Uwe Hagen, reckons the S5 Sportback is a great addition to the range. "It is not only practical enough for daily use, it is also sporty and fun to drive,'' he says.   "We intend to continue to develop our excellent range of products available for the Australian market as we head towards our goal of offering 42 models globally by 2015.'' Hagen says Audi customers are always looking for a benchmark experience "and we intend to fulfil this with emotional, technologically-advanced products''.  The S5 quattro all-wheel drive helps put the power to the ground but drivers can also opt for a sports differential for an even more responsive drive. Tick the sports differential box for $6900 and you also get adaptive dampers and dynamic steering.  Audi expects the S5 Sportback to account for 10 sales a month. At $129,300, the meaty hatch has the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW 5-Series GT in its sights.  Stay tuned for carsGuide's first driving impressions.