Audi’s mid-size saloon and estate – so far called the A4 range – will receive new names! With the next generation, they will wear the A5 moniker. The same goes for the future A6 which will then be named the A7. Reason is Audi’s ambition to straighten their name scheme: In the future, conventional cars with internal combustion engines will get uneven numbers, all-electric vehicles will receive even numbers. Today’s A5 and A7 will not receive ICE-powered successors.
The sixth-generation mid-size saloon and estate is due to go on sale in 2023 – and our spies have now caught a prototype of the A5 Sedan in S5 guise undergoing tests near the German Nürburgring racetrack.
Volume-selling versions of Audi’s long-running BMW 3-Series rival will be based on a modified version of the existing MLB platform, which underpins a wide variety of other Volkswagen Group models.
The new A5 will offer a range of upgraded petrol and diesel engines equipped with either mild- or plug-in hybrid assistance and offered in both front- and four-wheel-drive (quattro) layouts. Markus Hoffmann, head of R&D at Audi, said: “We already have electrification modules today, from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrids – and we will be focusing even more intensively on electrification in the cars that follow.”
In case of the prototype snapped near the ‘Ring today, it is the first time we get to see what appears to be the S-version with production lights and also a unique and more aggressive grille, front bumper and exhaust tips. So far, there isn’t much intel on the powerplant, but we expect some sort of updated turbocharged V6, either the single turbo 3.0-litre of the current S4/S5, or perhaps a variant of the Porsche-developed biturbo 2.9-litre of the RS 4/RS 5. Mild hybrid tech is also possible.
Dimensionally, the new A5/S5 is said to be little changed over today’s model, which stretches to 4772 mm in length, 1847 mm in width and 1435 mm in height.
Among the changes made to the MLB platform used by petrol and diesel versions of the new A5 is a modified rear structure to package a 14.4kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery. Set to feature on upcoming plug-in hybrid A5 models, it is the same battery used by plug-in versions of today’s Q5, A6 and A7. Details remain scarce, but the same battery currently fitted to today’s larger models gives a WLTP electric driving range of up to 70 kilometres, which Audi could seek to boost nearer to the 100-kilometres claimed EV range of the new Mercedes C-Class.
Further developments for the MLB platform include a new electric architecture with 48V capability. This enables the adoption of additional functions such as the Dynamic All-Wheel Steering system used by the A6, A7, A8, Q7 and Q8, as well as new level two autonomous driving functions currently being developed by Audi’s Car.Software division.
It also provides the base for a range of new digital and connectivity features. Among them is near-field communication functionality being developed by Audi and Huawei. This enables contactless payment for refuelling or charging, tolls, parking, drive-through dining and other services from within the car via the MyAudi app.
The new A5 will run an updated version of the current model’s aluminium-intensive multi-link front and rear suspension, with adaptive damping on selected models. Earlier speculation suggested the next A5 would receive rear air springs, although they may be reserved exclusively for the electric A4.
The key combustion engine for the 2023 A5 is a fifth-generation version of the Audi-developed turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder EA888 petrol unit. First introduced in 2008, it is being re-engineered to meet stiff new Euro 7 emission regulations with a number of innovations, including newly developed fuel injection and particulate filter systems.
The reworked combustion engines for the A5 are set to be mated exclusively to either a seven-speed dual-clutch or eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox to guarantee maximum efficiency and bring emissions down as far as possible. The six-speed manual gearbox available on today’s model will be made redundant as part of plans to reduce parts complexity.
Audi’s finalised plans for the all-new A5 include a hybrid RS5 to top a line-up underpinned by two different platforms, according to well-placed Ingolstadt insiders. One platform will be used for combustion-engined hybrid variants and the other for pure-electric models. According to the new nomenclature, the latter will likely be called the A4 then.
Electrification will extend throughout the range, all the way up to the successor to the RS5, which will retain today’s twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine but is in line to receive electric assistance that will lift its output beyond the 450 hp of the existing model.
AUTOMEDIA
Also under development at the German car maker is the new pure-electric A4. Set to challenge the Tesla Model 3 and newly unveiled BMW i4, it is based around the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture that has been developed in a joint engineering programme between Audi and Volkswagen Group sibling company Porsche. The new electric A4 is set to adopt broadly similar exterior styling to its combustion-engined siblings but will be differentiated visually by a blanked-off grille and other unique design elements to further improve its aerodynamic efficiency. Although not yet confirmed, it is likely to feature a five-door layout with a liftback-style tailgate similar to today’s A5 Sportback. The A4 will be sold with a choice of single-motor rear-drive and dual-motor four-wheel-drive (quattro) layouts when it arrives in 2024. The line-up will be crowned by an electric RS performance model from the Audi Sport division, packing up to 475 hp and 590lb ft.
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