There’s a highly believable rumor circulating that Audi will move its ICE offerings to odd numerals in their alphanumeric names, while EV e-tron models will encompass the event numerals. Q4, Q8 e-tron, A6 e-tron concept and the like all seem to point the way, a direction that implies very likely that the upcoming B10 variants will be named with the number 5. It’s safe to assume then that what you see here is the S5 Avant, or long roof version of the B10-based car product. Make sense?
Notably, it’s also safe to assume that sedans and coupes may be going away. Why? Sportbacks and Avant sell best, and with so much development money also being spent on Audi’s all-electric PPE architecture (that’ll likely spawn the next A4-badged vehicles), one could see where Audi will cut back on body styles. Also, you don’t need to reach full on detective status to note that the only B10 test mules seen so far have been Avants or Sportbacks (and also Q5). By now you’d expect to see the 2-door or notchback versions if they were coming… and we haven’t seen them.
Back to this particular car, this is the first time we’ve seen what appears to be the S-version with production lights and also unique and more aggressive grille, front bumper and exhaust tips.
So far, there isn’t much intel on powerplant, but we expect some sort of updated turbocharged V6, either the single turbo 3.0-liter of the current S4/S5, or perhaps a variant of the Porsche-developed biturbo 2.9-liter of the RS 4/RS 5. Mild hybrid tech is also possible.
Expect a production version to drop by 2024.
