Earlier today, Audi revealed the changes they intend to make to their 2025 model lineup, the main of which is to discontinue the A5, S5 and RS5. Among the versatile array of 4-ringed machines, we see a bunch missing. The Audi A5 Coupe and Cabriolet, along with its sportier versions, have not made it. The Audi S5 and Audi RS5 are the brand's midsize sports cars. Both these Audis are enthusiastic. They offer impressive value at their respective price points. It all has come to an end now, and Audi has confirmed that they won't see the light of 2025. Don't worry. The four-door sportback versions of all three of these sporty Audis will carry over — it is just the two-door A5, S5, and RS5 being discontinued. They won't be as chic as the two-door beauties, but the heart of the matter remains the same. They will keep their current powertrains while gaining minor updates. All three of these mid-level Audi sports cars have a Quattro all-wheel-drive system. A 201 or 261-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder motor propels the Audi A5. The S5 ups this spec with a more potent 349-hp turbo V6 engine. The top dog, the Audi RS5, is powered by a beastly 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6. History Of The Audi A5, S5 And The Audi RS5 First GenerationThe Audi A5 was first introduced for the 2008 model year. It was instated as a sportier alternative to the Audi A4 sedan. Sporting muscular styling and a 3.2-liter V6 engine, the original A5 was a seductive machine. It offered more engaging handling compared to other mainstream Audis of the time. At launch, the A5 came with a manual transmission option. It disappeared from the lineup after 2009. The more potent Audi S5 was also launched alongside the 2008 A5. It housed a seriously capable 354-hp 4.2-liter V8 under its hood. Initially, both these midsize Audis were offered solely in coupe and sportsback body styles. The convertible models were launched two years later, for the 2010 model year. The Audi A5 Cabriolet was offered with another base engine - a 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The S5 model on the other hand was clubbed exclusively with a supercharged V6. The most hardcore midsize Audi, the Audi RS5, arrived only in 2010. This ferocious Audi came powered by a visceral 444-hp 4.2-liter V8 engine. This sonorous motor was later on replaced with a twin-turbo V6 in the second-gen RS5. 2023 Audi RS5 Coupe Competition Package Second GenerationThe second generation Audi A5 and S5 debuted for the 2017 model year. This time, the redesigned RS5 was also part of the new range. A four-cylinder turbo was the staple motor in the A5. The S5 continued to be powered by a turbocharged V6. Again, a manual was initially offered with the A5, while the S5 came paired with an 8-speed auto. The RS5 came outfitted with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, paired with an 8-speed auto. The power output of the RS5 remained unchanged at 444 hp. All three of these Audis were also offered with diesel engines in both generations. However, these were limited to Europe and some selected international markets. All things considered, this generation has had a rather short run (under 20 years), and ending 2024 off by discontinuing the A5, S5, and RS5 may not have been the wisest move on Audi's part. After all, the premise behind the design of these cars is that they are “sporty” — and what's more sporty than a two-door pocket-rocket? Audi A5, S5, RS5 - Future PlansAudi has decided to restructure their model nomenclature by discontinuing the A5, S5, and RS5. This is to easily differentiate their electric and non-electric models. Hence, in its next-generation lineup, the Audi A4 will become the Audi A5 Sportback. The same applies to the S4, which is expected to transform into the S5 Sportback. It has been rumored that Audi also has plans for a new RS5 wagon. This model dubbed RS5 Avant would potentially succeed the RS4 Avant. The upcoming Audi RS5 models will likely feature a hybrid powertrain. Hopefully, Audi will compensate for the absence of these precious models in their lineup. And although the A5, S5, and RS5 being discontinued is sad, it gives us an eye to the future — and what Audi could have in store. Source: Audi A.G.
