2012 Audi A5 model range and S5 facelift revealed!
Nearly all Audi models had been launched or revised with Audi’s new “one style fits all” design language. Not really my thing but hey, it still looks striking and most people like it. One of the model which had not yet been updated would be the current Audi A5.
So here it is, the facelifted A5. Not surprised that it now looks just like any other Audi models especially the A6. The old look was actually one very distinctively great-looking thing where you could just have a short glimpse and will instantly recognized it as an A5. Now however, one must be a true Audi fanatic or have to take a look at the rear badge to differentiate an Audi car. Not ideal, but this is what Audi wants.
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So the changes are very subtle on the outside except for the new headlights of course. Besides that, there is now a redesigned front grille with squared-off edges compared to the previous smooth-rounded edges which I prefer. A new front bumper with larger air intakes and integrated fog lights, new rear bumpers as well as slightly tweaked rear lights.
As I mentioned before, Audi also now prefers to use LED “stripes” with their latest headlight design instead of the previous wave-like rows of LEDs where the LED bulbs are visible. Audi’s latest LED “stripes” would definitely look more cool at night. But you know me, I still prefer the good old LED “wave” design which started the whole LED craze with all car manufacturers few years ago. Oh, there is also new rims to choose from.
The interior also get some changes. As the facelift applies to the whole A5 range except for the RS5, the five-door A5 Sportback now gets a bench seat option as opposed to the strictly four-seater configuration of the current car. The facelift also gives you Audi’s latest steering wheel design, dashboard, wood/aluminium trims, instrument panel, gear lever, seats, and even also a completely new car key!
Now to the engines. The base engine for the A5 and A5 Sportback would be a new turbocharged 1.8 liter TFSI engine which produces 168hp. That’s 10 more horsepower than the previous 1.8 TFSI engine. The slightly more powerful 2.0 liter TFSI engine with 211hp remains the same, while next in the line would be a new 3.0 liter supercharged V6 with a generous 272hp.
Those aforementioned engines are petrol-powered. Now let’s get on to the diesels. The base diesel engine is a 2.0 liter TDI engine which produces 177hp. Next would be a 3.0 liter TDI engine but with two different output choices, a 204hp version and one with 245hp.
What about the hotter S5? Well, the current S5 uses a good old naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 with 356hp. The new facelift means that it now gets a more fuel-efficient but downsized supercharged V6 but with 28hp down from the old engine. It may now sound slow on paper. But don’t worry, the new car would still be equally quick in the real world thanks to the increase in torque from it’s supercharged engine.
All base models comes with newly designed 17 inch rims as standard but base models don’t come with anything much really. Premium automakers are always stingy. Buying the base model means there would be no fancy LED “stripes”, no xenon lights, no satellite navigation with 3D Google Earth imaging, no nice interior trims and many others. However, the base A5 Sportback 1.8 TFSI starts at a reasonable €33,350 in Germany. Just don’t forget that it will come with nothing.
