New Audi S5: heavier, but still impressive

The Audi S5, considered the embodiment of luxurious sportiness, is receiving a batch of updates, but surprisingly also more weight. Let's take a closer look at what's behind this and what it entails.

Four months after its presentation, the full technical specifications of the Audi S5 have finally been released. The heart of the car is a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine that develops 367 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque. However, the vehicle's curb weight has increased to 1950 kilograms – that's a whopping 190 kilograms more than the previous generation sedan Audi S4, which used the same six-cylinder engine. When comparing the S5 Sportback, the difference between the new and old versions is 170 kilograms.

The increased weight is partly due to the growth in dimensions. The new Audi S5 is larger than its predecessor – the wheelbase has been extended by eight centimeters and the overall length by seven centimeters compared to the Audi A4 sedan. The station wagon version, the Audi S5 Avant, with a curb weight of 1965 kilograms, even surpasses the weight of the more powerful BMW M3 Touring by a fraction.

The Audi S5 now comes standard with a mild hybrid system, which does reduce fuel consumption but does not help solve the weight issue. Nevertheless, all Audi A5 and S5 models remain true to their traditional identity, offering classic luxury and sportiness.

Several sources speculate that Audi may soon add an even more powerful plug-in hybrid RS 5 to its lineup, which would use the same 3.0-liter V6 engine. This would likely mean a curb weight already exceeding the two-ton mark.

The new Audi S5 will arrive in European showrooms within the next six months.