It’s time for Audi’s A5 and S5 coupes and convertibles to receive a modest facelift, as well as some equipment upgrades. The changes will apply to model-year 2013 cars that go on sale in mid 2012.
The visual refresh begins with a new grille, front fascia, and headlight designs that bring the A5/S5 into keeping with Audi’s current corporate grille design. The taillights and rear bumper have similarly been restyled. There are 16 new exterior colors and four for the soft top of the A5 cabriolet. Modifications for the cabin begin with new steering-wheel designs, new stalks with chrome trim, a new ignition key, restyled shifter, new climate-control buttons, and white gauge illumination.
The A5 continues to use a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four rated at 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The S5 coupe loses its sonorous, 354-hp 4.2-liter V-8 engine, switching to the same supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 as the S5 cabriolet. The supercharged engine produces 333 hp and 325 lb-ft in either body style of S5.
Other mechanical updates include a switch from hydraulic to electric power steering, which marginally reduces fuel consumption. The new steering gear works in tandem with the newly optional active lane assist, which can keep the car from drifting out of its lane. The A5 and S5 also get a new attention assist system, which recommends taking a break if it detects the driver is tired.
The 2012 A5 and S5 go on sale here later this summer with no significant changes. The refreshed 2013 models won’t debut until the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.
