Slim eyes for facelifted S5

Audi has brought the look of its A5/S5 coupe, convertible and Sportback range in-line with the just-released all-new A6. Slim new headlights and a smaller grille opening headline the major styling changes to the four-year-old model line.

The new A5 base engine is a 125kW/320Nm 1.8-litre DI turbo-petrol four that boasts a 5.7L/100km fuel consumption sticker thanks to the addition of a start-stop function and brake energy regeneration. The 150kW 3.0-litre turbo-diesel six betters that consumption figure, however, sipping 4.9L/100km combined.

Arriving next year (in Europe at least) will be a low-emissions clean diesel engine option that Audi claims will make the A5 the first coupe on the market to meet the Euro 6 diesel emissions standard.

At the pointy end of the range, the 4.2-litre V8 of the S5 coupe has been replaced by the 245kW 3.0-litre supercharged V6 already seen on the S5 convertible and Sportback variants.

An all-new electromechanical power steering system debuts on the A5/S5 range, and an active sport differential will be added as an option to all A5 quattro variants, in addition to the flagship S5.

Inside, the Audi multi media interface has also been enhanced, with internet capability added as a range option. Although the coupe and convertible variants remain strictly four-seaters, the Sportback is now (finally) available with a five-seat option.

Expect the facelifted A5 and S5 range to hit Australian showrooms early next year.