Audi has given its international-spec A5 range a series of upgrades for 2019, bringing them in line with the rest of its siblings and adding a choice of mild-hybrid engine options for the first time.
Initially, four of the A5's four-cylinder petrol and diesel powertrain options will include 12V mild-hybrid systems, with a belt-driven alternator and starter able to recuperate energy from the crankshaft and store it in a small lithium-ion battery. Audi claims this works with the stop-start system to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions over the outgoing cars.
Visual updates largely mirror those seen on the recently refreshed Audi A4, with new-look front and rear bumpers, larger air intakes and a wider front grille with designs determined by trim level. S-Line models get honeycomb styling to match the S5, while cars lower in the line-up see horizontal slats. The three notches underneath the bonnet also match those seen in the A1. All cars receive LED headlights as standard, with Matrix LEDs as optional upgrades.
Bigger changes have been made inside, with the old A5's rotary infotainment controller phased out in favour of a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The upgraded interface has filtered down from the A7 and A8, while Audi's 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster receives updated navigation software. All cars now come with a Wi-Fi hotspot as standard, which can be used for over-the-air software updates.
The Audi A5 range in India currently retails from Rs 60.39 lakh for the base A5 Sportback 40 TDI, includes the A5 Cabriolet (Rs 69.26 lakh), and goes up to Rs 72.43 lakh for the S5 Sportback. Audi India also retails the RS5 Coupé here for Rs 1.11 crore. There is no word yet on when this facelift – and its mild-hybrid powertrain options – will come to India.
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