No, the A4 is not dead - disbelieve anything that you may have read to the contrary, dear reader. Owing to a change in naming conventions, electric Audis will gain even numbered designations, while piston-engined models gain odd numbers. As such, the A4 has become the A5 which replaces the A4, although a new electric 'A4' will launch relatively soon. Got it?

The A5 always has been the prettier sibling to the A4 in my opinion, and the 5-door Sportback model has only grown in popularity since its introduction, owing to the extra practicality that goes along with the good looks. It’s no wonder that I see countless examples of them in my corner of the country, yet a regular A4 has become something of a rare sight in recent years. With the comprehensive overhaul of the model range and Audi not wanting to leave the executive class to arch-rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz, it makes sense for them to major on style for the new A5, but we’ll come back to that later.

New 2024 Audi S5 Saloon and Avant forced induction petrol V6 returns!

While the new A5 launches with mild hybrid petrol and diesel 2.0 litre engines, it’s the current range-topper that we’re most interested in. Revealed simultaneously, the new S5 Saloon and Avant make a return to petrol power following a few years of having a diesel engine fitted under the bonnet. The 3.0 litre V6 uses a single variable geometry turbocharger and makes 362 bhp and on its own, but can call on the assistance of an updated mild hybrid system to receive an extra 24 bhp torque delivered to the drivetrain. 

The 48 volt mild hybrid makes the petrol powertrain more efficient, as it now runs the air conditioning compressor and allows for extended start/stop times when waiting at traffic lights. Something that’s uncommon for a car with a system like this is the usage of the 24 bhp electric motor to allow for purely electric low-speed manoeuvring, making silent parking an option with the new S5. 

The 48v system does not require plugging into an external power source to recharge the battery as this is completed by regenerative braking. The car can slow down using the electric motor on its own or combined with the discs and pads, and Audi say that the brake blending system feels consistent regardless of whether it is regen or hydraulics reducing the readout on the speedo. Overall, the new drivetrain is claimed to deliver lower emissions than the outgoing diesel model - that’s no mean feat from a petrol engine.

However, I think what may be of greater interest is how the powertrain works with the rest of the chassis and how well it all performs. Naturally, quattro all-wheel drive is standard for the S5 and quick shifting is to be expected with the revised S-Tronic DSG transmission.

Improved handling should come courtesy of the quattro sport differential with torque vectoring, along with the standard-fit adaptive suspension that will offer a range of settings to suit motorways and B-roads alike. For both body styles, 0-62 mph is quoted as 4.5 seconds, with a limited top speed of 155 mph attainable.