Audi A5 goes hybrid: New model lineup revealed

Well, the A4 might not disappear entirely but will transition to electric. This applies to the German manufacturer's lineup: even-numbered models will be electric, and odd-numbered models will remain combustion-powered. We are eagerly awaiting the premiere of the A6, which is scheduled to take place very soon. Interestingly, in behind-the-scenes conversations, Audi representatives emphasise that the combustion engine will still play a significant role in powering the Ingolstadt brand models. Plans from a few years ago appear to have been revised.

In person, the new Audi A5 is quite impressive. The front has become slightly rounded (a pedestrian safety measure alongside the separation of the lights), it has a bumper with substantial air channels and cassette handles, and – as an A5 – it features a liftback design. The new OLED lighting creates the impression that liquid metal flows through the rear lights. Stepping back and observing from a distance highlights how large this car is.

The wheelbase measures 2.9 metres, about 2.5 centimetres less than the current A6! And here are the first discrepancies – the boot capacity is less than 600 litres (even in the Avant version, the estate). The rear seat space is satisfactory, but it doesn’t quite match the level of the A6. This is the first low-set model on the PPC platform, so I'm curious about what it will offer. For now, the manufacturer does not foresee the introduction of an Allroad or coupe version. Pity.

Let’s take a look inside, where screens await us. Not just two for the driver but also, optionally, one almost 28-centimetre screen for the passenger. I had the chance to test this feature in the Audi Q6 e-tron, and the most impressive aspect is not so much the screen but the head-up display indicating even the lane we should be in. There's also a panoramic roof that doesn’t have a shade but can be "covered" with the press of a button. Previously, such an option was available in Porsche.

New features include speakers in the headrests that deliver navigation commands without muting the music. The voice assistant (operated in this unit in English) knows which side the command came from and can, for instance, open the window for that passenger. Ergonomically, it’s not bad either, although the large touch panel on the doors is positioned so that it can be accidentally adjusted when entering. The lower you go, the lower the quality of the plastics, though ultimately, they are not very poor. However, the black piano on the centre console looks unappealing – this type of cheap material is just out of favour.

Under the bonnet, we mainly find 2-litre engines. The petrol versions come in 150 and 204 horsepower variations, with the less powerful one being front-wheel drive only. The 4x4 drive system is Quattro Ultra. There's also a diesel engine with 204 horsepower and an electric system with 24 horsepower, allowing crawling in a traffic jam or parking lot without starting the combustion engine. It will be available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and either one or two axles drive. The fuel tank will hold up to 60 litres. Plug-in hybrids are not excluded but will first appear in other brand models. And an interesting tidbit: the exhaust tips in the bumper are factual. Today, that’s something nearly unseen.

The S version also has a 3-litre V6, which generates 367 horsepower and is equipped with a hybrid system. The 4x4 drive system is also Quattro Ultra (to put it simply: connectable), but with a differential that allows power to be transmitted to the selected wheel.

We do not know how the new A5 drives, although you can already order the car in Germany. The minimum amount is €45,200 (about £37,800).