The Audi A5 gets a facelift for its bodywork and updates its technology

Audi began the update of the A5 family with the most powerful version so far, the S5, whose engine is a V6 TDI that uses mild-hybrid technology, and now the German brand announces the update of all the A5 bodystyles: Sportback, Coupé and Cabrio. All of them will benefit from the new design language that Audi applies to its upper segments, while the technological equipment will also be improved.

As we saw with the Audi S5, the rest of the A5 range also gets a more dynamic and sporty design, including some nods to the past, as seen in the air intakes between the bonnet and the grille on certain trims, which recall the Audi Sport Quattro of 1984 and are already present on other models such as the A1. At the front, the Singleframe grille also takes on a new prominence, being now flatter and wider, although it keeps the honeycomb mesh, while on either side of it you will find the LED front light unit, which can optionally be Matrix LED.

On the sides, the sills have a new design, so the lines now look smoother, leading to a rear that appears wider thanks to the rear diffuser now having trapezoidal exhaust outlets. Not to mention the LED rear light unit with dynamic indicators and dynamic light sequence, which come standard with the Matrix LED front headlights. Finally, besides the basic version, there will be two exterior lines, Advanced and S Line, which can be combined with the interior lines S Line and Design Edition, plus 12 body colours.

Inside the new Audi A5 the horizontal lines remain the main feature, but they now have a sportier cut and are technologically improved. For example, the new MMI Touch system shapes much of the design: a 10.1-inch touchscreen that allowed the removal of the previous rotary dial, and which can also be operated by voice. It will be available in several levels, with the MMI Navigation Plus being the highest in the range, adding advanced functions that can be enjoyed even more thanks to the standard WiFi hotspot.

Another screen at the driver’s service will be the 12.3-inch one for the Audi Virtual Cockpit, with three display modes, which can be complemented by the Head-Up Display. We will also have Audi Connect and Audi Connect Plus with an improved communication unit that incorporates numerous online services such as street parking, Car-to-X service or traffic sign information, among others. Nor can we forget the myAudi app to connect to the car via our smartphones, which can also store up to 7 different sets of settings and personal preferences.

Mechanically, the new Audi A5 will be available with engines starting from 163 CV, with four of them equipped with mild-hybrid technology. In the four-cylinder engines the mild-hybrid system is integrated into the 12-volt electrical circuit, while in the V6 TDI engines intended for the S versions the main electrical system is 48 volts. Regardless of this, all engines in the new Audi A5 will be paired with an automatic transmission, which can be a seven-speed S tronic or an eight-speed Triptonic, while Quattro all-wheel drive will be optional for the mid-range engines and standard for the most powerful ones.

Finally, the most powerful variant, the S5, will have its own Cabrio version, using the same 3.0 TDI V6 engine that delivers 347 CV together with 700 Nm of torque. The Audi S5 Cabrio’s roof, like that of the A5 Cabrio, will be fabric, able to open or close automatically in just 15 seconds provided the speed does not exceed 50 km/h. With the roof closed, the S5 Cabrio will have a boot capacity of 370 litres, which can be increased by folding down the rear seats.

Orders for the new Audi A5 and S5 open this autumn, which is nearly upon us, while the first units will arrive at the beginning of 2020. Pricing for the Spanish market for the various variants is currently unknown, so we will have to wait a little longer for that.