Being in the fold since 2007, it was about time for the Audi S5 to usher in a new generation, and it will do just that for the 2017 model year. With the new generation comes a new, wider front grille, larger corner air inlets on the front fascia, a more muscular hood, and new, thinner taillight units. Inside, the car has gone through a major revamp, sporting an updated instrument cluster, a new infotainment display that sits above the center stack, a new center console, and redesigned door panels. The S5 still sports a 3.0-liter, gasoline-powered engine, but for 2017 it's been updated to deliver 354 horsepower – a 21-horsepower increase over the previous generation.

As always, the S5 shares a strong amount of its DNA with the Audi A5, but offers up significantly more power in an overall sportier package. As a model that competes with the likes of the BMW M4 and the Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe, Audi had to put in the wrench time to make sure the S5 is more competitive than ever. Part of that time was dedicated to developing an all-new chassis, revised aerodynamics, and shedding a little weight despite having a longer wheelbase than the outgoing model.

The things I’ve mentioned here are just the tip of the iceberg, so let’s go over all the fine details of the new S5 in my full review below.

Updated 06/03/2016: Audi dropped the official details on the new generation S5 Coupe.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Audi S5.

Exterior

By using a mix of lightweight materials and design, Audi claims to have shed as much as 132.3 pounds, all while increasing the sophistication of the car’s overall aerodynamics. The result is a drag coefficient of just 0.25. According to Audi, the body itself is the lightest in its competitive field, and it's the segment leader when it comes to aerodynamics.

As you can see from the images above, the front end sports a new design. The corners of that unmistakable Audi grille are sharper, while the grille itself appears to be wider and comes with more horizontal slats running from side to side. Down below, the air inlets are taller and slant downward towards the center. A new trim insert adds character to the outside and bottom edges of the air vents. The hood itself is also more muscular, sporting new body lines, but on the side, the biggest difference is the redefined body line between the wheel arches. This body line is now slanted more in the front, giving it a sportier appearance.

In the rear, that little lip in the center of the decklid has been lengthened, and now runs the width of the lid, integrating smoothly with the contours of the rear quarters. The taillights are now thinner and sport a cleaner appearance with a highlight on the outside and upper edge. The rear diffuser now has four vertically oriented fins, but the model still sports dual exhaust outlets in each corner. I’ve never been a fan of how similar Audi’s “S” models are to the standard “A” models, but at least the new S5 can be differentiated by looking at the front and rear fascias.

Interior

On the inside, we see a significant departure from the previous model. Right away, the most notable changes include the new infotainment display that is perched on top of the dash and the new layout for the HVAC vents. Since the display isn’t integrated into the center stack, the dash on the new S5 actually sits significantly lower, and the vents are now arranged in a straight line, running from one side of the dash to the other. The instrument cluster was replaced by Audi’s 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display to go with the 8.3-inch display on the center stack. The dash now has a flat face to it that is accented in a light gray color, offsetting the naturally dark ambiance created by the black trim.

The center console also features a new design. The shifter is much smaller and was moved farther back on the console. There are two cup holders up front, almost below the center stack, and a small control knob for the infotainment system is located between the cup holders and the shifter. It also looks like there is red, neon accenting in the cutouts on the side of the center console that match the red finish of the exterior – an optional feature on the A5 that offers up to 30 different colors, but may be standard on the S5. With the new design, there is increased space for the driver and front passenger, and the dash layout makes the car feel wider.

The rear seatback has a 40:20:40 split that allows it to expand on the 16.4 cubic feet of available cargo space in the trunk. MMI navigation should come standard on the S5, as should Audi Connect with the LTE hotspot. As an option, the Audi Connect Safety and Service Package is also available, which works similar to GM’s OnStar, and allows owners to lock and unlock the car, check its geolocation, and call up vehicle status from a smartphone, smartwatch, or even fouth-generation Apple TV systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard. For those wanting a concert hall on wheels, a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system is available as an option.

Compared to the outgoing model, the cabin of the S5 is now more refined and driver oriented. It’s a cleaner and more inviting interior that finally brings the S5 into the current standards of luxury and comfort.

Drivetrain

Audi hasn’t given too many specifics about the drivetrain in the S5, but we do know that the 3.0-liter, turbocharged V-6 delivers 354 horsepower. Performance specs are rather scant at this time, but Audi claims the new S5 can hit 62 mph in 4.7 seconds (a 0.1-second improvement over the previous model) and is able to achieve a fuel economy of 32.2 mpg. Audi’s awesome quattro AWD system is practically a certainty, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the S5 come standard with a sport differential in the rear. On the A5, the suspension damper control is an option, but it may be standard equipment on the S5. As expected, the S5 will also make the best of Audi drive select, which offers up different drive modes, and Audi’s new electromechanical steering should make the car a blast during tight maneuvers.

As far as driver assistance goes, Audi has updated or developed new assistance systems for the next-gen model. The list of features include active lane assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, park assist, rear cross-traffic assist, exit warning, collision avoidance assist, turn assist, and all of Audi’s pre sense systems. To go with all of this, the S5 is equipped with front-mounted cameras for the recognition of traffic signs.

Pricing

Audi has yet to release pricing for the S5, but the previous model is currently being sold for £43,790 or $63,624 at current exchange rates. The new-gen model isn’t expected to hit European of German showrooms until Fall of this year, so stay tuned for pricing updates. Pricing information should become available closer to the car’s official launch.

Competition

BMW M4

For the 2015 model year, Bimmer shifted its lineup around a little bit, with the coupe and convertible versions of the 3 Series becoming the 4 Series. That said, the M3 coupe became the M4 coupe, but that wasn’t all that changed. To go along with a more aggressive exterior and luxurious interior, BMW dropped the previous V-8 from the M3 in favor of a new 3.0-liter six-cylinder that delivers 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. With roughly 75 horsepower more than the new S5 and a 60-mph sprint time of just 4.1 seconds, it’s easy to want to lean toward the M4, but it has its downfalls as well. As of this writing, the M4 starts out at $65,700, which can easily surpass $70,000 by going with a few select options. The M4 is currently available in Bimmer dealerships in Europe, Germany, and the U.S.

Read our full review on the BMW M4 here.

Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe

As one of the big “German Three,” Audi finds itself in the ring with BMW and Mercedes far too often, but with the new S5, Audi will actually have a fighting chance against Mercedes and its C43 Coupe. Powered by a 3.0-liter V-6 engine, the C43 delivers 362 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, and that’s S5 territory all day. According to Merc, the C43 makes the 60-mph sprint in 4.6 seconds, so it might still be a little fast to the benchmark, but top speed is limited to just 155 mph. As of this writing, the Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe goes for €60,065, which translates to about $68,036 at current exchange rates. With similar pricing, similar luxury and comfort appointments, and good performance, it’s really a tossup as to which competitor is better. In this case, I guess you’ll just have to stick to brand loyalty.

Read our full review on the Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe here.

Conclusion

It's about time Audi updated the A5 and S5 lineup, and it did a fair job bringing together new technology, better comfort and luxury, and a more aggressive front end. But the S5 still looks way too much like the lesser A5 for my taste. Sure, there are minor differences in the front and rear exterior, and there's a fine list of standard features for the S5, but I still think Audi could differentiate the models a little more. That said, the new S5 should soldier on for the next six or seven years before Audi drops a new-gen model, and a facelift won’t be in the cards until the turn of the decade. Even if the S5 is quite similar to the A5, I’ll still take the S5 over the A5 any day – that 354 horsepower is enough to sell me on the more expensive model.

Spy Shots

July 10, 2015 - First testing session