Audi reinvents lineup: A5 debuts with combustion options

Well, the A4 may not just die, but it will become electric. This will be the case with the entire lineup of the German manufacturer: even-numbered models will be electric, odd-numbered – combustion. For now, we are anticipating the premiere of the A6, which will take place in a few days. Interestingly, in behind-the-scenes talks, Audi representatives indicate that the combustion engine will still play a decisive role in powering the brand's models from Ingolstadt. Plans from a few years ago seem to have been revised.

In person, the new Audi A5 makes a great impression. It has become slightly rounded at the front (this, along with the split headlights, is a matter of pedestrian safety), has a bumper with massive air intakes and cassette door handles, and—like any A5—is a liftback. The new OLED lighting makes it look like liquid metal flows through the rear lights. Stepping back a few steps and looking from a further perspective makes you realize how big this car is.

The wheelbase is 290 cm, about 3 cm less than the current A6! And here are the first inconsistencies – the trunk has less than 500 litres (even in the Avant version, which is a wagon). The space in the back is satisfactory, but it's not at the level worthy of the A6. This is the first low-placed model on the PPC platform, so I am curious to see what can be derived from it. For now, the manufacturer does not foresee introducing Allroad or coupe versions. Pity.

Let's look inside, where screens await us. There are two for the driver and one, almost 28 cm for the passenger. I had the opportunity to test such a solution in the Audi Q6 e-tron, and the most impressive aspect was not the screen but the head-up display that even indicated the lane we should be driving in. There is also a panoramic roof, which does not have a shade but can be "covered" with a button. This option was previously available in Porsche.

New features include headrest speakers that provide navigation commands without muting the music. The voice assistant (operated in this example in English) knows from which side the command was given and can, for example, open the window for that passenger. Ergonomically, it's not bad either, although the large touch panel on the doors is placed so you can accidentally change settings when you get in. The lower you go, the worse the plastics are, although they are not very bad. However, the black piano on the centre console looks poor - manufacturers are simply moving away from such cheap materials.

Under the hood, we mainly find two-litre engines. The gasoline versions have 150 and 204 hp, with the weaker one being front-wheel drive only. The 4x4 drive is the quattro ultra system. There is also a diesel engine with 204 hp and an electric system with 24 hp, allowing for crawling in traffic or parking without starting the combustion engine. It will have a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and one or two-axle drive. The fuel tank will hold up to 60 litres. Plug-in hybrids are not excluded, but they will first be introduced in other brand models. And a fun fact: the exhaust tips in the bumpers are real. Today, that's almost unheard of.

The S version also has a three-litre V6, which generates 367 hp and comes with a hybrid system. The 4x4 drive is also quattro ultra (in simple terms, switchable) but with a differential that allows power to be transferred to the selected wheel.

We do not know how the new A5 handles, although orders can already be placed in Germany. The minimum amount is 45,200 euros (about 65,000 CAD).