Audi’s A5 has changed in more ways than one. It’s no longer a coupe. It’s a fastback sedan now, stepping in for the A4. There’s another big shift, i.e., electrification. A plug-in hybrid joins the lineup, sitting between the standard petrol and diesel models and the sportier S5. Engine choices include a turbocharged four-cylinder or, if you’re after more power, a V-6 in the S5. Inside, buttons are disappearing, and digital controls are taking over. Whether that’s progress or just change for the sake of change depends on who you ask. One thing Audi hasn’t settled yet is whether the A5 e-hybrid will make it to the US. And while the brand once planned to reserve odd numbers for combustion cars and even numbers for EVs, the A5 name stays. The A4 is officially gone. Read More Love It or Hate It, This Porsche 964 is Electric Audi A5 PHEV Debuts with More Power and Longer Range The A5 PHEV arrives with Quattro all-wheel drive as standard and two power levels. Both versions use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 hp), working with a 140-hp electric motor built into the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Together, they produce 295 hp or 362 hp, with torque figures at 331 lb-ft and 368 lb-ft, respectively. The stronger model hits 62 mph in 5.1 seconds, just a fraction behind the V6-powered S5, while the 295-hp version takes 5.9 seconds. Top speed is 155 mph. Audi squeezed a 25.9-kWh battery under the cargo floor, boosting capacity by 45 percent over the old A4 hybrid. That means up to 68 miles of range in ideal conditions (WLTP), though US testing will likely bring that down to 57 miles. Fast charging is also better—11 kW AC charging can fully recharge the battery in 2.5 hours. Driving modes let owners fine-tune how they use the battery. EV mode prioritizes electric driving and caps speed at 87 mph, while Hybrid mode blends power sources and lets drivers hold battery charge for later use. Audi has also stepped up regenerative braking, allowing it to adjust automatically based on route data and traffic conditions. Drivers can tweak braking force manually using steering-wheel paddles. All that extra tech comes at a cost—weight. Audi hasn’t shared numbers yet, but given that the S5 weighs 4,299 pounds (1,950 kg), the PHEV is likely even heavier thanks to its battery. That could affect how the car handles compared to its combustion-only counterpart. Audi has hinted at a performance-focused RS5 Avant, which will replace the RS4 and take on the BMW M3 Touring. That model will likely push hybrid tech even further. RS5 Wagon Targets 450 HP as A5 e-Hybrid Rolls Out in Europe The RS5 has been spotted testing, and when it arrives—either later this year or in 2026—it’s expected to pack more than 450 horsepower, easily surpassing the old RS4’s twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6. While it will likely trade some electric range for performance, this will be one of the most powerful plug-in hybrid wagons Audi has ever built. Meanwhile, the A5 e-hybrid lineup is expanding—but not for everyone. Europe is getting a wagon variant, but Audi is still not bringing it to the US market. Read More The 2,000-HP Lambo Huracan Steamrolls GT-R, R8, and Viper at TX2K25 It’s a familiar story: fast wagons don’t sell well in America, and Audi isn’t taking the risk. As for the standard A5 e-hybrid, there’s still no official word on a US launch, and if it happens, it won’t be before 2026. Audi is also tweaking its branding strategy. Plug-in hybrids will now carry the "e-hybrid" badge, keeping them distinct from fully electric "e-tron" models. For those in Germany, the A5 e-hybrid starts at around $67,000, with the more powerful model priced at $76,000. Deliveries begin in April. Source: Audi
