Audi enters ‘new chapter’

Audi has announced a restructuring of its naming convention for vehicles with the A4, first launched 30 years ago, to now be called the A5. 

The move comes as the marque expands its model range and the numbers in the names of electric and combustion-engine models will be the differentiator. 

Going forward, even numbers stand for vehicles only powered by electricity and odd numbers for models with combustion engines. 

As a result, the debut of the latest generation A4 has resulted in it being renamed the Audi A5 and these will be the first models launched on Audi’s premium platform combustion. 

Greg Leet, general manager of Audi New Zealand, says this is an exciting new chapter for Audi. 

“With the expansion of our all-electric portfolio, we are also launching a new generation of models with efficient combustion engines,” he adds. 

“The Audi A5 family, with its athletic design and completely new interior, will be the first. This range has always been a fan-favourite here in New Zealand, particularly the Avant, and we are looking forward to its arrival.”

The redesigned A5 family has modified proportions with a long wheelbase, large wheels and as low, sporty body. 

In the Avant, the roofline merges into an integrated roof spoiler and the front is dominated flatter, proportioned Singleframe with a three-dimensional honeycomb structure. 

The Audi A5 line-up offers digital daytime running lights with LED technology at the front and second-generation digital OLED rear lights at the rear. 

Inside is the free-standing Audi MMI panoramic display, which uses OLED technology and consists of the Audi virtual cockpit with an 11.9-inch visible screen diagonal and the 14.5-inch MMI touch display. 

There is also an optional 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display, which can be integrated into the dashboard design. 

The new mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) system is based on a 48-volt onboard electrical system that supports the combustion engine and reduces carbon dioxide emissions while increasing performance. 

A powertrain generator enables partial electric driving that helps cut fuel consumption and can add up to 18kW of electric power to the output of the combustion engine. When decelerating, it feeds energy back into the battery at up to 25kW. 

Details on the New Zealand launch of the A5 family, including which models will be available, are yet to be confirmed.