The A4 replacement from Audi has been unveiled and is now known as the A5. In contrast to the sleek, four-door coupe that was the previous generation A5, the new model is available in sedan and estate body styles. The German manufacturer’s new naming scheme for its upcoming models includes changing the designation from A4 to A5, with even numbers assigned to electric vehicles and odd numbers to internal combustion engines.
Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which takes the place of the A4’s 17-year-old MLB architecture, powers the new A5. Please be aware that the Premium Platform Electric, which powers vehicles like the Porsche Macan EV and the Q6 e-tron, is unrelated to this platform. Although the A5’s engine configuration is still longitudinal, Audi says it can accept a variety of electrified powerplants. But Audi has no intention of putting one in the A5.
Thanks to the new platform, the A5 is 67mm longer (at 4.83m) and 13mm wider (at 1.86m) than the outgoing A4. Its wheelbase, measuring 2.9m, is 68mm longer. In terms of looks, the A5’s design is an evolution of the A4’s and borrows some elements from the A6 e-tron sedan concept. Among the highlights are the flared wheel arches that Audi designers call ‘Quattro muscle’, OLED light units that can display up to eight patterns, and visible exhaust tips.
On the inside, the new A5 shares its tech with the Q6 e-tron. The highlight is, of course, the large curved screen. It incorporates an 11.9-inch digital driver display and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, which houses all the climate control and seat heating/ventilation functions. As an optional extra, Audi offers a 10.9-inch front passenger-side touchscreen, which comes with a filter that obscures it from the driver’s vision.
The A5 will initially have ICE and 48V mild-hybrid powertrains. The hybrids use Audi’s new MHEV Plus system that utilises two motor generators – adding a centrally mounted powertrain generator to the usual integrated starter-generator – for better efficiencies and regenerative braking. The advantage of this system is that it can now recuperate up to 25kW – more than three times the 8kW limit of the old S4 – and puts out 18kW (24hp) and 230Nm of torque.
In India, the A4 has been on sale in its current avatar since January 2021. Currently priced between Rs 46.02 lakh and 54.58 lakh, it was last updated in September 2022. Considering that Audi India has had the A4 in its line-up for many years, it is likely that the all-new A5 will come to India, though it is hard to say when. Also, it is expected to come only in the sedan body style with petrol engine options. When it arrives, it’ll rival the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series.