Audi is putting the finishing touches on a facelift
for the A5, S5 and RS5 family and now we’re getting a glimpse inside. Looking instantly recognizable,
the cabin of this prototype features a familiar design as a majority of the
switchgear and components carryover. However, the car has been equipped with a
larger touchscreen infotainment system which echoes the one used on the
facelifted A4.
While nothing is official, the screen likely
measures 10.1 inches and runs new software that features streamlined menus and
support for natural-language voice control. These updates are an improvement
over the current system which has an 8.3-inch display and software that is
starting to feel a bit dated. Besides the new screen, the rotary controller on the center console
has been removed. It will likely be replaced by a new MMI touch display with
acoustic feedback.
Bigger changes occur outside as the S5 Sportback
adopts a bolder Singleframe grille with a honeycomb mesh insert. The model also
has new headlights and a modified bumper with sportier air intakes. Out back, there isn’t much to see
but designers have installed a new rear bumper which appears a tad more
aggressive. The taillights have also been updated, but the changes are barely noticeable.
While Audi hasn’t said much about the car, the S5
recently gained a new diesel engine in Europe. It’s a 3.0-liter V6 that
produces 342 hp and 700 Nm of torque. It enables
the current S5 Sportback to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.9
seconds, before hitting a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
In other markets, we can expect a familiar 3.0-liter
TFSI V6 with 349 hp and 500 Nm of torque. It is
paired to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission and a quattro all-wheel drive
system, just like the TDI variant.
