The new Audi A5 - name change and a game changer

A243052 medium

Audi is opening the next chapter in its successful history in the mid-size segment with the new A5 family. Launching 30 years after the first Audi A4, the sharpened design language of the latest generation, now called the Audi A5, captivates with premium proportions. Both body styles, Sedan and Avant, perfectly embody the sporty essence of the Audi design philosophy. A new design language in the interior creates a generous feeling of space and places the displays on a digital stage. The new operating concept increases interaction with the vehicle. Efficient, partially electrified combustion engines and thrilling S models round off the range.

Dynamic and muscular exterior design​

Even at first glance, the completely redesigned A5 family has a powerful and clean design. The modified proportions with a long wheelbase, large wheels and the low, sporty body embody progressive dynamism and premium standards. In the Sedan, the sporty, compact-looking greenhouse stretches to the rear in a sweeping arc, flows seamlessly into the shallow rear window in a coupé-like manner, and ends at the visually short tailgate with a striking spoiler lip.

The rear hatch, which is new in this vehicle segment, offers a convincing symbiosis of design and functionality. It opens with the rear window and its size makes access to the luggage compartment considerably easier. This results in a completely new sedan concept for Audi. In the Avant, the dynamic, taut roofline merges into a seamlessly integrated roof spoiler that spans the sporty, flat rear window. The D-pillars, which are steeply raked, emphasize the dynamic side view of the A5 Avant.

The front is dominated by the wide and significantly flatter proportioned Singleframe with a three-dimensional honeycomb structure. Together with the slim and precisely drawn headlights, it shapes the face of the vehicle and gives it a striking and focused expression. Thanks to the “soft nose” integrated into the bumper, the hood is flush with the front end. The blisters protruding powerfully from the shoulder area at the front and rear wheels are reminiscent of the Audi Urquattro and a core element of the Audi design DNA.

The striking, distinctive rear combines sporty, emotional design and intelligent technology. A combination of sculptural geometry and continuous, three dimensionally offset light strip gives the rear of the new Audi A5 presence and visual dynamism. Further highlights of the rear view in the base models are the clear, modern design of the bumper with a dark diffuser and the high-quality rectangular exhaust tips.

A243117 small

New standards in digital light​

The Audi A5 family offers digital daytime running lights with LED technology at the front and second-generation digital OLED rear lights at the rear. With around 60 segments per digital OLED panel, they are increasingly becoming a display at the rear of the vehicle on the A5.

This enables car-to-x communication and increases safety on the road - for example with the new communication light. The dynamic lighting effects when unlocking and leaving the vehicle reflect the aesthetics of movement as part of the Audi light DNA. The active digital light signature does so too, conveying a new sense of liveliness.

The headlights and rear lights are three dimensionally designed, offer optional digital light signatures, and thus bring the physical and digital worlds together.

A243049 small

Technology meets comfort in the new interior​

The design of the interior of the new Audi A5 is based on four characteristic features. Firstly, the interior has a human-centric design, i.e., it is consistently geared towards the needs of its users. The second special feature is the Digital Stage that establishes itself in clear view of the driver and front passenger in the form of the Audi MMI displays. With its Material Driven Design, the Audi A5 series meets the requirement for a generous sense of space with a high level of comfort. The clear layout and easy operation of the interior provide an overview in all situations to form the fourth feature: Visual Clarity. Added to this is the optional dynamic interaction light to support the car's interaction with the occupants.

Audi MMI panoramic display and head-up display​

The new operating concept of the Audi A5 family increases interaction with the vehicle thanks to the E³ electronic architecture. The new Audi A5 integrates seamlessly into our customers’ digital ecosystem and offers a personal connectivity experience. The slim, free-standing Audi MMI panoramic display has a curved design and uses OLED technology. It consists of the Audi virtual cockpit with a 11.9-inch visible screen diagonal and the 14.5-inch MMI touch display. Audi complements the digital stage for the front passengers with the optional 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display, which is perfectly integrated into the dashboard design. The new A5 has a configurable head-up display that has been further developed compared to its predecessor. For the first time, drivers now have the option of controlling vehicle and infotainment functions via the head-up display.

A243014 small

Advanced hybrid system MHEV plus​

The new MHEV plus system based on a 48-volt on-board electrical system supports the combustion engine and reduces CO2 emissions while increasing performance. The powertrain generator (PTG) enables partially electric driving that contribute to a reduction in fuel consumption.

The new MHEV plus system enables significant advantages in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption in the Audi A5 model series compared to an MHEV system.

These total up to 10 g/km or 0.38 l/100 km in the 2.0 TDI (150 kW, front-wheel drive/quattro) (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (62.1 mi): 5.6-4.7 (42.0-50.0 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 147-124 (236.6-199.6 g/mi); CO2 class: E–D ) and up to 17 g/km or 0.74 l/100 km in the V6 3.0 TFSI (270 kW, quattro) (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (62.1 mi): 7.9-7.4 (29.8-31.8 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 180-167 (289.7-268.8 g/mi); CO2 class: G–F) up (in the WLTP driving cycle)1.

The PTG can also add up to 18 kW (24 PS) of electric power to the output of the combustion engine. When decelerating, the PTG feeds energy back into the battery (recuperation) at up to 25 kW. As a result, purely electric maneuvering and parking are possible to a limited extent. Thanks to the option of using an electric air conditioning compressor, the air conditioning system can also be operated when the vehicle is stopped at traffic lights and the combustion engine is switched off.

With the integrated and blending-capable brake control system (iBRS), the brake pedal and the brake hydraulics can be completely decoupled. In models with the MHEV plus system, for example, it achieves the necessary deceleration without using the friction brakes thanks to regenerative braking. This means that deceleration is initially achieved solely by recuperation. The friction brakes only kick in when the brake pedal is pressed harder. The brake feel remains unaffected by this.

Dynamic design of chassis and steering​

Thanks to the continued development of the suspension, the new Audi A5 brings the driving characteristics typical of the Audi brand perfectly to the road. As a result of extensive detail work on the suspension and steering, the Audi A5 offers precise, effortless, and largely neutral handling which, if the optional suspension with adaptive dampers is optioned, can be differentiated significantly more between comfort and sportiness. The steering, which is as always Audi progressive steering in the new model, has also become considerably more precise.

Market launch and prices​

Audi is opening the next chapter in its successful history in the mid-size segment with the new A5 family. The Audi A5 and Audi S52, 1 will be launched in Germany and numerous other European countries in November.
A242970 small
 
  • Like
Reactions: snapthreads
The new Audi A5 looks stunning! The combination of sporty design and advanced technology, especially the digital features and hybrid system, truly sets it apart in the mid-size segment. Excited to see how it performs on the road!
Play fun google block breaker game!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
just impressed! Honestly, the new A5 feels like a bold move forward—Audi didn’t just tweak the looks, they rethought the concept, especially with that new rear hatch on the sedan. It’s not just about aesthetics; it's actually practical. Also, the digital interior and hybrid tech show they’re serious about blending innovation with everyday usability. Curious to see if this sets a new trend in the segment.
 

New RS 5 Tech Explained: Quattro with Dynamic Torque Control

  • 537
  • 0
Audi has gone properly deep with the new RS 5, and the headline feature isn’t just the hybrid power - it’s what’s happening at the rear axle.

Meet quattro with Dynamic Torque Control - Audi’s...

Audi Revives the A2 Name for New Electric Entry Model

  • 756
  • 0
Audi has confirmed it’s bringing back a familiar name - but with a modern twist. Meet the A2 e-tron, a brand-new entry-level electric model family set to debut in autumn 2026.

Built in...

Why more UK Audi drivers are switching to European-manufactured EV chargers

  • 657
  • 0
Electric Audi ownership in the UK has matured quickly. What started as early adoption has become everyday use. Commuting, long motorway journeys, winter driving, charging at home, at work, and on...

Audi Scores Points on Formula 1 Debut at the Australian Grand Prix

  • 865
  • 0
Audi’s long-awaited return to the top level of motorsport got off to a promising start this weekend, as the Audi Revolut F1 Team scored points in its very first race at the 2026...

New Forum Sponsor – Specialist Trackers UK

  • 510
  • 0
We’re pleased to welcome Specialist Trackers UK as a new sponsor here on Audi-Sport.net.

Specialist Trackers UK is a family-run vehicle security...