2012 Audi A5, S5 get a refreshes

13 years, 5 months ago - 14 July 2011

Here she is, the refreshed 2012 Audi A5. And while we've always been quite fond of the current model's styling, the subtle touches to the front and rear fascias of the new car make it look even more elegant than ever before. As for the S5, well, it just looks downright mean now. We approve.

The A5's new nose now uses styling cues found elsewhere in the Audi lineup, specifically, the new-for-2012 A6. Unlike the A6, however, the A5 and S5 do not get Audi's adaptive LED lighting treatment, instead relying on an attractive wraparound LED running lamp combined with a standard projector-beam xenon unit. Out back, the taillamps are only slightly different than the ones found on the current car, save for a larger, thicker running lamp right through the center of the light cluster.

Powertrain options don't change much for 2012, with the A5 coming standard with Audi's turbocharged 2.0-liter, 211-horsepower inline-four. The big news for the new car, however, is that the S5 Coupe will no longer be available with the excellent, free-flowing 4.2-liter V8 – the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 is the only powerplant available. In the S5, it carries over unchanged, rated at 333 hp, though a new, 272-hp version of the 3.0-liter engine will be offered up in the A5, as well.

Look for the refreshed A5 and S5 to go on sale later this year, with prices only expected to increase very slightly.