A5
Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2007, the Audi A5 initially brought a four-seat coupe back to the center of Audi’s range. Its low-slung shape, grand-touring proportions, and technical relationship with the A4 family later supported a broader lineup that included the five-door Sportback and the Cabriolet. A second generation arrived in 2016, followed by a substantial styling and technology update for 2020. In 2024, Audi changed the naming strategy for its combustion-powered mid-size cars: the long-running A4 became the A5 and adopted Sedan and Avant body styles. The 2025 model year added A5 e-hybrid quattro plug-in hybrids in both body forms. ScanRacer’s coverage therefore spans the A5 story from its 2007 debut through the 2025 range.
Variants by year
2025
2024
2016
2011
2009
2007
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2007, the Audi A5 initially brought a four-seat coupe back to the center of Audi’s range. Its low-slung shape, grand-touring proportions, and technical relationship with the A4 family later supported a broader lineup that included the five-door Sportback and the Cabriolet. A second generation arrived in 2016, followed by a substantial styling and technology update for 2020. In 2024, Audi changed the naming strategy for its combustion-powered mid-size cars: the long-running A4 became the A5 and adopted Sedan and Avant body styles. The 2025 model year added A5 e-hybrid quattro plug-in hybrids in both body forms. ScanRacer’s coverage therefore spans the A5 story from its 2007 debut through the 2025 range.
History
The Audi A5 was revealed as Audi’s new coupe at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show before entering several markets later that year. The coupe introduced a more individual and elegant interpretation of Audi’s mid-size range, with four seats and a profile distinct from the A4 sedan. The family expanded in 2009 with the Cabriolet and the Sportback, a five-door body style that combined coupe-like proportions with easier rear access and greater practicality. The first generation received a facelift in the early 2010s, bringing revised front-end styling and updated equipment. The second generation was introduced in 2016. Audi retained the core Coupe, Sportback, and Cabriolet body styles while adopting a sharper design, newer electronic systems, and weight-saving measures depending on specification. The 2019-2020 update brought a redesigned Singleframe grille, LED lighting, and a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen interface. In July 2024, Audi unveiled a new A5 family based on the Premium Platform Combustion, or PPC. It replaced the previous generation and adopted Sedan and Avant body styles. A5 e-hybrid quattro plug-in hybrids followed in 2025, using a higher-capacity high-voltage battery and offering two announced power levels.
Generations
The first generation, sold from 2007, is initially identified by its two-door coupe body and flowing profile. The Cabriolet arrived in 2009 and used a fully automatic fabric roof according to Audi’s model information, while the Sportback launched the same year added rear doors and a hatchback tailgate. Early-2010s facelift cars can generally be recognized by their revised front-end treatment and updated lighting signatures. The second generation began in 2016 and continued with Coupe, Sportback, and Cabriolet body styles. Its design became sharper, while equipment developed through features such as driver-assistance systems, the Audi virtual cockpit, and, after the 2020 update, a large MMI touchscreen. This generation’s Cabriolet retained a soft top, a useful clue when separating it from other open-top cars in the range. The generation introduced in 2024 represents a major change in both body styles and naming strategy. Coupe and Cabriolet were no longer the main forms of the new family: the A5 became a Sedan with a large rear hatch that opens with the rear window, or an Avant wagon. These cars use Audi’s PPC platform and became available with e-hybrid quattro powertrains from 2025. Identification is therefore most reliable when based on body style, model year, and equipment rather than on the A5 name alone.
Key differences
The main differences between A5 versions concern body style. The first- and second-generation Coupe prioritize appearance, with rear-seat access restricted by the two-door layout. The Sportback keeps a coupe-like outline but adds four doors and a hatchback, making it more practical. The Cabriolet is identified by its fabric roof and specific body treatment. The 2024-2025 generation changes this structure completely: the Sedan also uses a large hatchback opening, while the Avant adds a longer roof and a more useful load area. Mechanical differences depend on market, model year, and trim level. Audi offered petrol and diesel engines, front-wheel drive or quattro, and mild-hybrid systems on later versions. S and RS labels identify distinct performance derivatives and should not be treated as ordinary equipment grades. In 2025, the A5 e-hybrid quattro models are plug-in hybrids, identifiable by their electric-drive management and external charging connection. Exact engines, outputs, transmissions, and equipment should therefore be checked against the vehicle’s market-specific specification.
Photo recognition
Start with the body style when identifying an Audi A5. A two-door Coupe belongs to the 2007-2016 or 2016-2024 generations. A Sportback has four doors, a rear quarter window, and a hatchback tailgate; it was offered in both of those earlier generations. The Cabriolet shares much of the Coupe’s shape but uses a fabric roof and has a clearly visible roof mechanism when open. The 2024-2025 cars are longer and use a low, horizontal front end, a broad Singleframe grille, and flush-fitting door handles. The Sedan has a rear window integrated into the large hatch, which separates it from a conventional three-box saloon with a separate trunk lid. The Avant has a longer roof, standard roof rails in Audi’s description, and a more upright, load-focused rear end. The 2025 e-hybrid quattro versions add charging-related hardware and hybrid-system badging. For dependable identification, record the model year, door count, tailgate design, rear-light shape, badges, and vehicle identification number. Audi equipment varied by market, so one visual detail alone may not provide a conclusive result.
Important versions
The key versions begin with the 2007 Coupe, which introduced the A5 name, followed by the 2009 Sportback and Cabriolet. The S5 and RS5 sit at the performance end of the range, using dedicated powertrains and chassis-related equipment; they should be treated as distinct performance models rather than simple trim packages. The second-generation cars introduced in 2016 are important for tracing the development of the Sportback, Coupe, and Cabriolet before their replacement. The 2024 family introduced the A5 Sedan and A5 Avant, which became the central combustion-powered mid-size A5 body styles. In 2025, the A5 Sedan e-hybrid quattro and A5 Avant e-hybrid quattro added plug-in hybrid power. Audi announced two system-output levels, 220 and 270 kW, with an electric range of up to 110 kilometers depending on version and homologation cycle.
References
- 2007 Geneva Motor Show: New Audi A5 world premiereAudi Japan Press Center
- The Audi A5: New Look and New TechnologiesAudi
- The new Audi A5 models: modern sportiness meets premium proportionsAudi
- New Audi A5 e-hybrids combine dynamics, efficiency, and long electric rangeAudi
- https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/the-new-audi-a5-models-modern-sportiness-meets-premium-proportions-16261/downloadaudi-mediacenter.com
- https://uploads.audi-mediacenter.com/system/production/uploaded_files/32182/file/22cbea48216c208f4d14fa9aa8c02eaf00b92855/240716_A5_Basisinfo_short_EN.pdf?1721045745=uploads.audi-mediacenter.com
- https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/the-audi-a5-new-look-and-new-technologies-12622/downloadaudi-mediacenter.com
- https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/photos/detail/audi-a5-avant-126596audi-mediacenter.com
Technical specifications
Structured data available for versions linked to this model.
| Version | Power | Torque | Top speed | Drivetrain | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 180 KW @ 4000-4500 RPM245 HP @ 4000-4500 RPM241 BHP @ 4000-4500 RPM | 369 lb-ft @ 1400-3250 RPM500 Nm @ 1400-3250 RPM | 155 mph (249 km/h) | All Wheel Drive / 7-speed automatic (S TRONIC) | Diesel |
| Base | 160.3 KW @ 4000-5000 RPM218 HP @ 4000-5000 RPM215 BHP @ 4000-5000 RPM | 295 lb-ft @ 1250-3750 RPM400 Nm @ 1250-3750 RPM | 155 mph (249 km/h) | All Wheel Drive / 7-speed automatic (S tronic) | Diesel |
| Base | 180 KW @ 4000-4500 RPM245 HP @ 4000-4500 RPM241 BHP @ 4000-4500 RPM | 369 lb-ft @ 1400-3250 RPM500 Nm @ 1400-3250 RPM | 155 mph (249 km/h) | All Wheel Drive / 7-speed automatic (S tronic) | Diesel |
| Base | 180 KW @ 4000-4500 RPM245 HP @ 4000-4500 RPM241 BHP @ 4000-4500 RPM | 369 lb-ft @ 1400-3250 RPM500 Nm @ 1400-3250 RPM | 155 mph (249 km/h) | All Wheel Drive / 7-speed automatic (S tronic) | Diesel |
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Audi A5 produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2007 - 2025.
- How many Audi A5 examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 40 published scans from 8 members, with the latest photo added in August 2026.