AUDI A5 AND S5 FACELIFT ANNOUNCED FOR EUROPE

Audi has revealed the first pictures and details of a facelifted A5 and S5 range, including a new engine for the S5. The facelift currently applies only to Europe, but will spread out quickly enough to other regions such as South Africa. Several areas have been refreshed and redesigned to keep buyers interested in the models, especially in the face of the imminent Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.

Changes include a new front grille, new bumper, flat fog lights, dynamic cornering lights, redesigned rear lights with optional LEDs and a new rear bumper featuring extra details. Exterior paint colours now comprise 16 colours, while the canvass roof on the Cabriolet can be had in one of 4 colours instead of the usual black-only “choice”.

Interior now features new steering wheel designs, a new ignition key, a fresher instrument cluster, choices of dashboard trim and the new 5-seat option for the rear seats.

A new line of engines has been added to some of the existing ones which are being carried over. An entry-level A5 1.8 TFSI makes 125kW, followed by the existing 155kW 2.0 TFSI. What’s new is the 3.0 T with a supercharger, which achieves 200kW. Diesels include a 150kW and 180kW motor, both of which meet Euro 6 standards. The S5 Coupe now also features the 3.0 T engine worth 245kW. It replaces the old 260kW 4.2-litre V8.

Hopefully we can meet the new facelifted A5 range at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show in October.