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 flat, sporty body embody progressive dynamism and premium standards. This is particularly evident in the side view thanks to the stretched hood, as its length gives it a prestigious appearance. The power of the optional quattro drive, distributed to both axles, is visually manifested in the powerfully modeled and three-dimensionally flared blisters, which flow smoothly into the body of the new A5. 

In the Sedan, the sporty, compact-looking greenhouse (roof structure) runs to the rear with a sweeping curve, flows seamlessly into the shallow rear window like a coupé, and ends at the visually short trunk lid with a striking spoiler lip. The tailgate, which is new in this vehicle segment, offers a convincing symbiosis of design and functionality. The opening includes 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 dynamically taut roofline merges into a form-fitting integrated roof spoiler that spans the sporty, flat rear window. The equally steeply raked D-pillars, which sit firmly on the massive rear quattro blisters, emphasize the dynamic side view of the A5 Avant.

Wide Singleframe, short overhangs

The front is dominated by the wide and significantly flatter-proportioned Singleframe with a three-dimensional honeycomb structure – the S5 has larger honeycombs and L-shaped inserts. Together with the slim and precisely drawn headlights, it shapes the face of the vehicle, giving it a striking and focused expression. 

The strong rake of the front section creates the appearance of very short overhangs. Three-dimensionally modeled air curtains arranged under the headlights give the bumper a powerful and sporty appearance. They are accentuated even further on the S5 and the exterior S line by a wide intake duct in a contrasting color. Distinctive grooves in the hood, so-called “Spooncuts”, emphasize the sporty character. The hood is flush with the front end thanks to the “Softnose” integrated into the bumper. This allows a greater distance between the hood and the Singleframe and, therefore, a visually lower, more dynamic facia.

In the side view, the greenhouse stretches far to the rear as a taut arch over the powerful body. The dynamic silhouette of the new A5 Sedan is characterized by a coupé-like roof shape with shallow tapering C-pillars and a stubby, sporty rear spoiler. On the Avant, which includes roof rails as standard, the rear window is significantly more inclined than its predecessor.

The sculptural geometry under the rear window in the transition to the light strip visually emphasizes the width of the new Audi A5 models with light and shadow effects. This gives the new Audi A5 Avant a decidedly more dynamic character.

On both body styles, the side window graphics reinforce the sporty, elongated effect of the silhouette. The blisters jutting powerfully from the shoulder area at the front and rear wheels – a core element of the Audi design DNA – are reminiscent of the Audi Ur-quattro. "Making technology visible" is a central design principle of the four rings. The new flush-mounted door handles, which enable the doors to be unlocked electrically via an inductive sensor, fit logically into the clean design. The exterior mirrors are positioned on the door waist rail like a sportscar and, in addition to offering aerodynamic advantages, complete the overall dynamic impression of the new Audi A5 when viewed side-on. The sill area has an emphatically sporty design – a contour under the doors adds further structure and lends the vehicle body visual lightness and agility. On the exterior S line and the S model, the sportiness is further enhanced by a contrasting sill trim.

The striking, unmistakably styled rear combines sporty, evocative design and intelligent technology. The combination of the sculptural geometry with the continuous, three-dimensionally offset light strip gives the rear of the new Audi A5 presence and visual dynamism. On the new S5 Sedan, an added spoiler lip provides additional downforce. Further highlights seen from the rear are the clear, modern design of the bumper with a dark diffuser – even sportier in the exterior S line – and the high-quality rectangular exhaust tips. On the TFSI, they are embedded in the diffuser on both sides; on the TDI variants, they appear as a rectangular twin tailpipe on the left. The S model has the iconic twin round tailpipes on the right and left in a new, sharpened design.

Three exterior trims and eleven colors

The range is divided into three exterior versions: exterior basic, exterior advanced, and exterior S line. The S model also has a different exterior. The front air intakes are larger in the exterior S line and S model, and the rear diffuser is significantly sportier. The sill trims for the exterior S line and S model contribute to the dynamic character. The trim strips around the side windows are finished in anodized aluminum as standard. The exterior S line stands out with details in anodized matt anthracite aluminum, while the S model features design elements in anodized matt silver aluminum.

A black exterior package is available for the exterior S line and S model. With this package, the Audi rings at the front and rear are finished in anthracite gray. The radiator grille and grille inserts, side sill trims, door handles, the Singleframe and rear diffuser, window well trims, and mirror housings are in black. The exhaust system features blacked-out tips, and the roof rails in the Avant are finished in black aluminum.

Eleven colors are available for the new A5, including Arkona White solid finish. Glacier White, Mythos Black, Chronos Gray, and the latest colors – Grenadine Red and Horizon Blue, are available as metallic paint finishes. Firmament blue, Floret silver, and Daytona gray pearl effect, which is exclusive to S models and vehicles with the exterior S line, complete the range. In addition, Audi Sport offers Ascari blue metallic for the exterior S line and S model. The new magnetic gray is reserved exclusively for "edition one", the exterior S line, and the S model. "Edition one" is a two-year limited edition sporty version of the Sedan and Avant, limited to, with exclusive design elements such as trim pieces in matt magnesium gray chrome.

Dynamic design and high level of equipment on the S models

The new Audi A5 has already redefined dynamic design. Its facia with narrow headlights and a new honeycomb grille emphasize the vehicle’s sporty side. The new Audi S5 continues this design philosophy and further sharpens the sporty character. Large air intakes in the front underline the motorsport-inspired design while supplying the V6 TFSI with fresh air and cooling the high-performance braking system. The distinctive honeycomb grille of the S5 model has a unique design with aluminum-look inlays. 

The exterior mirror caps, typical of S models, are also finished in an aluminum look and have the same accent color. Dynamic and clearly drawn lines define the profile and, at the same time, give the vehicle enormous visual forward momentum. The strongly flared quattro blisters and the stretched, precise shoulder line emphasize high dynamics on the one hand and point to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive on the other. The strongly contoured aluminum-look side sill trims also catch the eye. The rear view is characterized by a spoiler lip on the trunk lid of the S5 Sedan and a roof edge spoiler on the S5 Avant.

Both S models feature a striking diffuser insert in matt titanium black with a honeycomb pattern and an inlaid aluminum-look band. The arrangement of the two chromed twin tailpipes in the diffuser insert is also iconic to all Audi S models. Striking 19-inch wheels in various designs emphasize the sporty appearance of the Audi S5 – 20-inch wheels are also available as an option. 

The interior of the S models continues the sporty character, which is also characterized by the large Audi MMI panorama display with two high-resolution screens. Special features of the S models include a flattened multifunction sports leather steering wheel with the S logo and sport seats with strong lateral contours, specific S embossing, and contrasting stitching. As the top equipment option, the sports seat plus with diamond quilting, integrated headrest, seat ventilation, massage, and decorative trim with illuminated S lettering is available to order.

The new Audi S5 models include a high level of equipment as standard, with numerous extras only usually available as extra-cost options. For example, these include the Audi MMI experience plus system and Audi sound system, the Audi application store and smartphone interface, 3-zone automatic climate control, and high beam assist.

The wheel range

The new Audi A5 models for the German market come with 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, depending on the exterior design and engine specification. For the S line exterior and the S model, 19-inch wheels come as standard. There is a selection of 17-inch wheels, which are also available with aero trims in scandium gray, three 18-inch wheels, five 19-inch wheels, and four 20-inch wheels. Audi Sport offers two 19-inch wheels from the portfolio (including an all-black option) and all 20-inch wheel types. One highlight is the new, forged Audi Sport 20-inch wheel, which is the only wheel in the portfolio with a tri-color design.

Three equipment packages with tech options

Depending on customers’ requirements, the new Audi A5 models can be ordered with different equipment packages that bundle a wide range of optional extras. The "Tech", "Tech plus", and "Tech pro" packages build on each other: The highest-level, the "Tech pro" package, includes exclusive options and all the optional extras from the other packages. Certain options are only available in conjunction with the Tech packages.

Highlights of the packages include:

• Tech: full LED headlights, 3-zone automatic air conditioning, Audi MMI plus
• Tech plus: Matrix LED headlights, front passenger display, comfort package plus
• Tech pro: Digital OLED rear lights, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, adaptive damper control

Aerodynamics and aeroacoustics

The sporty design of the new Audi A5 pays tribute to its predecessor’s excellent aerodynamics and achieves a cd value of 0.24 for the Sedan and 0.27 for the Avant. The extensively clad underbody with a front spoiler lip and aerodynamically designed front and rear sections play essential roles in the aerodynamic concept. 

Air curtains ensure the airstream flows around the front wheels and flanks, minimizing turbulence. These elements have been integrated into the new design of the Audi A5 models and optimized aerodynamically. In addition, flow elements in front of the front wheels improve the drag coefficient. As a result, the airflow does not hit the wheels directly but is diverted around them.

Models with some engines have an electronically controlled cooling air intake behind the Singleframe grille, which optimizes the airflow around the engine bay. The SKE consists of two electrically operated louvers in a frame behind the grille. These blinds are normally closed and only open when the engine requires additional cooling under high load or the air conditioning condenser needs airflow. From 160 km/h, the SKE opens completely to reduce the lift values on the front and rear axles. 

To exploit the full potential of this technology, Audi has optimized the seal between the bumper and the cooling package. Here, the number of variants and components has been drastically reduced. This reduction minimizes flow losses thanks to fewer component joints and achieves aerodynamic advantages. 

On the Audi A5 Avant, aero trims at the rear ensure a clean airflow. The low roof spoiler contributes to this. The exterior mirrors have also been aerodynamically optimized. Aerodynamically optimized rims in the 17-inch to 19-inch range were developed to achieve low air resistance. Aero trims can be fitted to the 17-inch alloy wheels to complete the aerodynamic concept. 

The aeroacoustics of the new A5 are also at a top level. Considerable optimization work has been devoted to the exterior mirrors in particular. The philosophy of the tried-and-tested door rail mirror from the previous A4 generation has been retained in the Audi A5. The mirror base is mounted on the outer door panel instead of in the window triangle. This means air turbulence does not hit the side window; instead, it stops at the door shell and minimizes wind noise. The mirror itself is newly developed, and its design has been specifically adapted to the new design language. 

A diffuser between the wing mirror and the side window slows down the airflow and reduces wind noise. There are also three grooves on the mirror cap, which generate small-scale turbulence. As a result, the incoming airstream stays in contact with the mirror surface. The Audi A5 comes as standard with acoustic glazing on the windscreen, i.e., a composite of two thin glass panes with a flexible film in between. This means that the windows are acoustically decoupled and transmit less sound. The front door windows are also available with acoustic glazing for exceptionally high comfort. 

The overall vehicle acoustics

The new platform made it possible to improve the overall acoustic impression of the new Audi A5. High-frequency acoustics and vibration comfort were enhanced. The combination of a stiffer body compared to the predecessor model, larger support points for the rear axle, and the newly developed comfort-oriented chassis and drivetrain mounts can be experienced in the improved vibration comfort of the vehicle. Tire noise comfort has been further improved compared to the predecessor using tires specially adapted for the new A5.

Intensive work has also been devoted to the new gasoline engines’ balanced, dynamic sound character. The evocative engine sound of the S model has been individualized for the various driving modes. Purely electric driving is brought to life with a signature Audi interior and exterior sound. When designing the windows and the insulation/damping package, great attention was paid to shielding disturbing ambient and driving noise.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.