2025 Audi S5 states the case for fuel energy in EV transition

• Redesigned 2025 Audi S5 replaces each Audi S4 sedan and S5 Sportback
• S5 will get sharper dealing with
• S5 inside provides as much as three screens

On the tight roads of the Provence Alps area of southern France, there are Citroens to the left of me, rock partitions to the precise, and I’m caught within the center within the 2025 Audi S5.

There are worse locations to be caught. The brand new S5’s sharp steering and managed dealing with make it an excellent companion to take care of the wannabe Tour de France bicyclists who seem all of the sudden as I spherical corners and the French drivers who are sometimes tired of minding the middle line. With its 2025 redesign, the S5 takes a leap ahead as a gas-powered grand tourer, and the roads exterior Good are an excellent place for a grand tour.

The S5 is the sportier, extra highly effective model of the brand new A5, and this redesign marks a brand new period for the duo. Each are a part of a shift in naming technique during which gas-powered fashions use odd numbers of their names and electrical fashions use even numbers. The A5 and S5 make use of a hatchback physique fashion with the form of a sedan, in order that they exchange each the A4/S4 sedan and the A5/S5 Sportback hatchback. An S5 Avant wagon is obtainable in Europe, however we received’t get it as a result of we are able to’t have all the good issues.

The brand new A5 and S5 each arrive as a part of a brand new product onslaught that may embrace a number of fuel autos redesigned across the new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) structure. On the identical time, Audi has launched a brand new Premium Platform Electrical structure for a sequence of recent EVs. All instructed, Audi will introduce 20 new or considerably up to date international autos within the subsequent two years.

Audi S5: New platform, new design 

The 2025 Audi A5/S5 is bigger than the vehicles it replaces. At 190.1 inches lengthy, it’s 2.9 inches longer than the outgoing A5/S5 Sportback on a wheelbase that grows 2.9 inches to 114.1 inches. It’s additionally 2.9 inches taller at 56.9 inches and 0.6 inch wider at 73.2 inches. The bigger measurement provides as much as 375 extra kilos based mostly on the European curb weight of 4,300 kilos.  

With the brand new platform comes a brand new design that appears wider and extra planted, thanks principally to pronounced rear wheel haunches that make the S5 appear like it’s able to pounce. The nostril will get a revised model of the Audi single-frame trapezoidal grille with a honeycomb texture. It’s flanked by squinting headlights and decrease air intakes with black surrounds. The largest change is within the profile the place the S5 straddles the three-box form of the S4 sedan and the pure fastback form of the outgoing S5 Sportback. The S5 resolves with an built-in rear spoiler, a full-width taillight panel, and quad exhaust shops. The A5 has a slippery coefficient of drag of simply 0.25, down from 0.29, and the S5 is in the identical ballpark.

The S5 can be out there with superior lighting know-how, with LED matrix headlights up entrance and digital OLED hind lights, every with 60 segments, that may be configured in eight patterns, although not on the fly. It retains conventional Audi cues whereas taking a decidedly totally different and muscular path.

Audi S5: Refined dynamics

Audi engineers put a whole lot of effort into tuning the A5/S5 for improved dealing with and extra fast responses. The PPC platform has 10% extra torsional rigidity than the outgoing MLB platform, and the adverse camber of the entrance tires will increase 10%. Audi stiffened the steering connection by mounting it on to the physique and giving it a stiffer torsion bar. The engineers additionally used a stiffer axle design, and stiffened the axle bearings, entrance and rear stabilizer bars, suspension mounts on the entrance axle, tie rods, and subframe bushings. The dampers are firmer as properly, and have a better delta between the adjustable dampers’ Consolation and Dynamic modes. Lastly, Audi moved the roll middle extra towards the rear with tuning of the stabilizer bars (stiffer bars out again will do this).

The S5 makes use of a sport suspension that sits 0.8 inch decrease than the usual A5, and it additionally pairs the usual metal springs with adjustable dampers. Audi makes 19-inch wheels normal on the S5, however my tester has a sq. set of 245/35R20 Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport summer time tires. 

From behind the flat-top and -bottom steering wheel, the adjustments mix to maneuver the S5 a step ahead in dealing with and refinement. It has variable-ratio steering that quickens at low speeds and slows for stability at increased speeds. Mild and direct, the steering helps me put the automotive in tight spots with out the unpredictability that may generally accompany a change of ratios on the fly. It additionally supplies extra highway really feel than is typical for an Audi, although I’d nonetheless like extra.

The game suspension strikes an excellent stability of dealing with and experience high quality. The S5 irons out the bumps, even within the suspension’s sportiest Dynamic setting, and but the automotive reacts rapidly on turn-in, takes an instantaneous set, and carves secure strains by way of the twisty roads of the Provence Alps. It seems the stiffer construction and mounting factors allowed Audi to go along with firmer suspension settings with out hurting experience high quality.

Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system and the S5’s normal digital limited-slip rear differential additionally help dealing with. The AWD system can ship all the energy to the entrance or rear, however in these corners it has a rear bias for extra of the playful character of a rear-drive automotive. The rear differential apportions torque to the surface wheel to assist the automotive rotate extra willingly—additionally aided by brake torque vectoring. It additionally manages torque on the entire rear axle for greatest traction when exiting the corners, which lets the automotive speed up extra rapidly on nook exit.

The Goodyears have greater than sufficient grip for one of these mountain highway driving, however a set of Michelin Pilot Sport S 5’s would probably be even grippier. 

The S5 is quiet, too, regardless of the open space the place there was once a trunk within the S4. I don’t detect highway noise coming from the rear wheels, although that would change on coarse American roads.

General, the S5 boasts a sporty, nice driving character that’s getting misplaced increasingly more nowadays as low-set vehicles give solution to taller crossovers and SUVs.

2025 Audi S5

Audi S5: Energy equilibrium

Prepared energy doesn’t damage, both. Below the hood, the S5 retains a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that spins up 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. That’s a bounce of 13 hp and 37 lb-ft over the outgoing mannequin because of an optimized combustion course of and a brand new turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. Whereas it’s one of many few methods the S5 has moved ahead solely nominally, it didn’t must take a giant leap.

I’m piloting a Euro-spec mannequin that has moved additional ahead. The engine is similar, but it surely additionally makes use of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that provides 24 hp throughout acceleration and might energy the car alone when driving at metropolis or car parking zone speeds. It will possibly additionally add torque fill between shifts of the commonly responsive and well-behaved 7-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission. 

In U.S. spec, which received’t have the mild-hybrid system, Audi quotes a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. The extra energy of the mild-hybrid system makes it barely faster at 4.5 seconds within the 0-62 mph run. The distinction is probably going faster throttle response from a begin and barely extra punch within the midrange. Both method, the turbo V-6 supplies loads of punch for any want and emits a throaty growl whereas doing so.

Audi does a wonderful job of mixing the 48-volt mild-hybrid’s brake regeneration with the S5’s mechanical brakes to create a pure pedal really feel. The S5 makes use of 14.2-inch entrance rotors and 13.8-inch rear rotors, all with single-piston floating calipers. That proves sufficient to deal with some onerous driving on these mountain roads, however I wouldn’t likelihood it on a racetrack.

Audi S5: Larger, extra tech-laden cockpit 

Audi fully redesigned the cockpit as properly, making it bigger for passengers and providing the most recent in connectivity. The sprint now sports activities as much as three screens. An 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch middle touchscreen type an ordinary financial institution of screens, and the latter is canted towards the driving force to place it inside simple attain. A ten.9-inch touchscreen for the entrance passenger is non-compulsory, and it lets riders management the leisure and navigation features, and in addition watch movies that may’t be seen by the driving force.

The S5 runs the most recent model of Audi’s infotainment software program that may management car, navigation, and leisure features. It’s aided by ChatGPT and can solely use this AI function when the native system can’t deal with the request. The middle display screen is configurable as customers can drag apps to their desired spots. Obtainable Bang & Olufsen headrest audio system can create a sound zone for the driving force to take heed to navigation instructions with out disrupting the audio for different passengers.

2025 Audi S5

Additionally new are touchpads on the doorways to deal with the mirrors, seat reminiscence controls, entrance and rear fog lights, and door locks. At first blush, they appear like touchpad overkill, however they work nearly the identical as most door controls.

The redesign offers the S5 extra space for occupants and cargo. Occupants are handled to plain leather-based upholstery and front-seat riders get sport seats with heating, cooling, and a therapeutic massage perform. Again seat occupants get pleasure from an additional inch of legroom. I discovered good house to sit down behind myself with my 5-foot-9 body, however anybody 6-foot or over will begin to have issues with rear legroom and headroom.

2025 Audi S5

Although it seems like a sedan, it’s a hatchback with 24.5 cubic ft of cargo house behind the rear seat, and that expands to 45.9 cubes when the 60:40 rear seat is folded flat. That makes this low-set automotive nearly as sensible as the standard compact crossover SUV.

Occupants are additionally surrounded by soft-touch supplies befitting a high-end cabin, although maybe with out fairly as a lot design aptitude as Audis previous. My Ascari Blue S5 has black and metal grey nappa leather-based upholstery with distinction stitching on the seats, armrests, sprint, and middle console. The cabin additionally sports activities artificial suede on the sprint beneath the screens, piano black trim on the middle console, and small bits of carbon-fiber trim alongside the edges of the middle console. It lacks a number of the contrasting aluminum of earlier variations, but it surely comes off as tech-rich and high-end.

2025 Audi S5

Pricing and a whole gear listing haven’t been introduced for the 2025 Audi S5 and so they probably received’t be till shortly earlier than it hits U.S. sellers early subsequent summer time. With its transfer ahead as a sporty, nice, and sensible hatchback, anticipate it to high the $56,195 beginning worth of the present S4 sedan and the $58,595 of the S5 Sportback and coupe. Don’t search for the coupe or convertible physique types to return, although, as this extra sensible physique fashion will serve probably the most U.S. consumers.

Do anticipate extra gear, although. Audi says the A5 and S5 will come normal with leather-based upholstery, navigation, a panoramic glass roof, a power-opening hatch, and a wi-fi cellphone charging pad. Choices will embrace the Bang & Olufsen sound system with headrest audio system, a power-adjustable steering column, and the ten.9-inch entrance passenger show. 

2025 Audi S5

Customary security options in different markets will embrace parking sensors, lane-departure warnings, and a driver-attention monitor, however anticipate extra options within the U.S., together with computerized emergency braking, entrance cross-traffic help, adaptive cruise management, and a primary rear-seat reminder system that works if the rear doorways have been open. Audi will even provide a extra superior rear-seat reminder system that’s sensor-based, in addition to Adaptive Cruise Management+ that displays the car environment, makes use of map information and swarm information from the cloud, and has visitors signal recognition to let drivers drive hands-free for brief intervals. 

Those that do purchase the brand new S5 received’t really feel caught in any respect. They’ll get a fast, sporty, and easy using automotive that has good house for 4 folks and their stuff. Audi could also be embarking on an bold transfer towards EVs, however the 2025 S5 strikes the model’s fuel choices ahead as properly.

Audi paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to deliver you this firsthand report.