Powerful and partially electrified: modern combustion engines impress with strong acceleration and higher efficiency thanks to advanced mild-hybrid technology MHEV plus Pure driving enjoyment: A5 and S5 models deliver a new interpretation of the brand's signature driving characteristics Digitalization in the interior and exterior: new operating concept with MMI panoramic display and second-generation digital OLED rear lights with communication light
The new Audi A5 impressed numerous media representatives and many potential customers with its qualities at its world premiere. Now it is proving its qualities in the south of France: the model variants of the Audi A5 unfold their full potential on the winding roads of the Côte d'Azur.
The scenery is straight out of a James Bond movie: a narrow road winds through the French Maritime Alps between rugged, overgrown mountains. It leads through tunnels carved into the rock and features bends of all kinds, alternating between tight turns and long sweepers. The hinterland of Nice, France, offers the perfect setting to get to know the character of the new Audi A5 models. The roads of the Côte d'Azur are particularly challenging for the chassis and drivetrain of the new mid-size models based on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) due to their profile. Powerful and partially electrified gasoline and diesel engines with MHEV plus The new A5 model series marks the launch of the first engines with the new MHEV plus technology from Audi – a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with powertrain generator, belt starter alternator and lithium iron phosphate battery.
The flat rear window ends in a breakaway edge that incorporates the third brake light. A striking line sweeps from the rear over the taillights to the rear doors, accentuating the top of the quattro blisters and the broad shoulders above the wheel arches. The rear window design has a dynamic upward bend. A distinguishing feature shared by all Audi Sportbacks, this small detail gives the vehicle even more forward thrust and is further accentuated by the surrounding aluminum-look trim. The upright front dominates the fully closed, three-dimensional Singleframe. A mask in Selenite Silver or high-gloss black encloses the side air intakes. Thanks to their high placement, the digital daytime running lights give the Q6 Sportback e-tron its striking and unique appearance. The rear, which tapers more dynamically than the SUV’s, blends sporty elegance and power. The analogies to the e-tron GT family are unmistakable. With its continuous light strip, the clean, spacious rear architecture gives the Sportback the clarity and poise typical of Audi. An interior meticulously tailored to the occupants The Q6 Sportback e-tron interior is more systematically oriented than ever to its occupants’ needs. Material properties were carefully considered from the early stages of interior design. Together with the Audi MMI panoramic display and the MMI passenger display, they create a visually striking digital stage. The high-contrast interior design intentionally places elements in the foreground or background, resulting in a three-dimensional spatial architecture that balances aesthetics and ergonomics tailored to the occupants. The interior ambiance is emphatically intimate. The dynamic interaction light offers a wide range of communication functions, aiding the vehicle’s interactions with its occupants. It envelops the interior and the cockpit in a generous arc.
The taut and high shoulder line creates a powerful silhouette, connects the front and rear lights, and makes the vehicle appear longer. Above the sill, a rising line runs over the wheel arches and into the rear bumper, giving the vehicle a dynamic appearance even when stationary. The front is self-confident, as all the defining design elements are positioned one level higher than in the predecessor model. The sporty, wide Singleframe sits high and is flanked by vertical, functional air curtains. The strongly filed and sculpturally shaped headlights create a sharp, focused look, manifesting the agile and self-confident character of the car right from the front. A large air intake with sensors sits under the Singleframe, giving the Q5 a visually full and wide stance on the road.The exterior S line impresses with striking and sporty body components, such as the Air Curtain Tubes with matt anthracite chrome-look accents. On the S model, these elements have a matt silver chrome look. The rear of the Q5 SUV has an extremely clear design thanks to the maximum reduction of lines. From the rear window to the lower edge of the three-dimensional shaped light strip, there is a smooth surface, defined by the light strip with a sharp cut across the entire width of the vehicle. The area between the light strip and bumper is kept sleek and gives the SUV a sporty elegance. The diffuser is integrated into the raised bumpers as an island. The positioning and shape of the functional tailpipes depends on the engine: a double square tailpipe under the diffuser on the left-hand side (for all diesel engines), or rectangular tailpipes on the right and left (for all petrol engines). The S model features the four iconic twin round tailpipes in a new, sharpened design. Three conformation characteristics and eleven colors Three versions are available: basic, advanced exterior and S line exterior. In addition, the S model is given an independent exterior appearance.
They offer a driving experience that is equally relaxing and safe – be it on highways, in dense megacity traffic, and even when using automated parking. The concept car is equipped with a 100-kWh battery, enabling a range of 700 km measured in accordance with CLTC when fully charged. The Advanced Digitized Platform also boasts an innovative 800-volt architecture with super-fast charging: just 10 minutes of rapid charging are enough for more than 370 km of range – meaning charging is as quick and convenient as refueling a conventional automobile. Designed to be distinguished: the exterior Audi design – tailored for Chinese customers: the concept car’s exterior design is minimalist and calm but still striking, thanks to smooth round wheel arches and confident wrap-around lighting graphics at both ends. The Sportback silhouette has a flat, elongated roofline and appears dynamic while offering plenty of interior space. Iconic and characterful The front and rear design of the Audi E concept is radically new, iconic, and characterful. It combines minimalism in design features with maximalism in functionality. In both areas, a black loop incorporates all functional areas. Lamps, sensors, and aerodynamic elements are combined into one central area. Interior design Many experts who worked on the concept vehicle have been at the Beijing Design Studio for years. As a result, they have developed a deep understanding of traditional aesthetic codes in China as well as of Chinese customers’ wishes. The interior design team prioritized the combination of the comfort the brand is known for and seamless integration of technology. Users thus experience the AUDI E concept a stylish, comfortable, and connected oasis fit for the urban lifestyle in China’s megacities. The center console offers open storage space for two phones. The curved pillar-to-pillar 4K touch display offers a new dimension of intuitively accessible information.
Innovative lighting technology With the new Audi A6 e-tron, Audi is underlining its leading role in lighting design and technology - an essential part of the Audi DNA. The headlights and rear lights have a three-dimensional design and offer digital light signatures, bringing the physical and digital worlds together. At the front, the Audi A6 e-tron family offers digital daytime running lights with LED technology as an option as well as second-generation digital OLED rear lights. With around 45 segments per digital OLED panel, the A6 e-tron enables car-to-x communication and increases road safety. Light appears more vivid and intelligent on the new Audi A6 e-tron thanks to the perfect symbiosis between the lighting design and the new technology. Turning to the second-generation digital OLED rear lights, ten OLED panels with 450 segments use a specially developed algorithm to generate a new image several times per second.
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. 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. 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.
In full electric mode, the electric motor alone can deliver 190 PS and 450 Nm, more than enough to keep up with the traffic in most situations. Full electric mode can be deployed at speeds of up to 87 mph / 140 km/h, with throttle applications of up to 75 per cent. The battery can be fully replenished in as little as 2¾ hours thanks to significant improvements in charger and battery capacity, with 11 kW peak charging power. The Performance Active Chassis The new Continental GT Speed and GTC Speed models both benefit from the new Bentley Performance Active Chassis. This includes Active All Wheel Drive, an electronic limited slip differential, all wheel steering, torque vectoring (front to rear and across the axles), Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti roll system, and a new generation of ESC control software. In addition, the car is fitted with a new dual valve damper system and dual chamber air springs, which enables more sophisticated tuning options. The result is that the new cars can achieve an even more impressive combination of performance, handling, and comfort. The new twin-valve damping brings a number of benefits. The system allows increased force spread between soft and firm settings – the result is reduced compromise between road surface isolation and body control. The damper control ECU now has complete control over independent compression and rebound damping delivering better body control during compression/rebound directional changes. Overall dynamic ability, and steering feel, have both been improved by the car’s now perfect weight distribution of 49:51, achieved thanks to the intelligent positioning of the hybrid battery. The weight split brings a car that is inherently balanced during dynamic driving, and permits a range of driving styles to be accessed. With the car’s advanced ESC system fully engaged, the new Continental GT Speed is completely planted and controls traction to inhibit oversteer.
For the first time, the edition features a black inlay in the rear lights. The Audi rings and lettering also come in gloss black, and the Matrix LED headlights feature darkened bezels specific to the RS family. The roof rails have been removed to give the vehicle a flatter, sportier silhouette. Standard equipment includes tinted sun protection glazing for the rear door and side windows. A unique highlight: “RS 4 edition 25 years” lettering is engraved in the windows between the C- and D-pillars. The appearance package Carbon matte was designed exclusively for this edition. It features front blades, side flaps, and sill extensions, as well as the diffuser clip and the wing mirror housings in Carbon matte. The interior, with its yellow decorative stitching, is reminiscent of the black/yellow leather Alcantara combination from the 2001 RS4* Sport. For the first time, the floor mats have an RS 4 logo, and the traditionally red Audi Sport rhombus and black RS lettering are now also yellow in the edition model. The steering wheel rim, the leather armrests on the doors, the center console in dark black Alcantara, and the gear gaiter all feature stitching in the same color. The RS bucket seats with honeycomb stitching and the carbon backrest come with an impressive deep black leather/Dinamica combination with contrasting yellow stitching. Directly below the headrest is RS 4 lettering in the same color. The logos on the entry sills and the RS projection from the entrance LEDs are white. Matte lettering on the center console indicates each individual car’s sequential number, from 1 to 250. Customers who purchase an RS 4 Avant edition 25 years can select a white background for the tachometer and speedometer via the MMI – a tribute to the 1994 Audi Avant RS2, where the analog dials initially came in white.