Audi Unveils 350bhp New S5

The new A5 and S5 certainly look the part, the ancestral link to the outgoing models is abundantly clear with smooth chiselled shoulder lines and that swooping coupé window. The new facia adopts themes from the rest of the current Audi range with the new dominating grill, crystalline headlight arrangement and contoured bonnet, whilst the rear retains the businesslike demeanour of their A4 sibling.

Inside the new A5 and S5 implement the Audi Virtual Cockpit we’ve become used to in much of the rest of Audi's more recent offerings. The new MMI is bang up to date with mobile device integration and Audi's new unlimited LTE sim card for internet services as well as mobile device integration.

Running on the MLB Evo platform as shared with the new A4 (and as tested recently by GRR), the new A5 sheds 60 kilograms over its predecessor. Drivetrains carry over too, with more efficient and powerful TFSI petrol and TDI diesel four and six-pot units, and the new turbocharged six-cylinder petrol packing over 350bhp in the S5, as first seen in the new S4.

All in all the new A5 and S5 look to be the perfect departure from their predecessors. The cars are undoubtedly bang up to date in terms of aesthetics, amenities and technological standards both inside and underneath, but they’re not so far from what went before that fans who enjoyed their semi-exotic stature won’t be interested. Hopefully they display driving characterises to match their looks. We look forward to the imminent steroidal turbocharged RS5, too. What do you think of Audis replacements for its stylish and practical coupes? Do you think they can carry the torch?