The automotive industry is rife with ongoing conflicts that seem to stretch into perpetuity – such as the enduring skirmishes among pony cars like the Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger, or the continual clashes of compact executive vehicles including the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class triumvirate.
Speaking of the latter scenario, it has come to light that Audi has been diligently toiling away on the next iteration of the A4 series, referred to as the B10, for a considerable span of time. Honestly, it feels like an extensive duration has elapsed since the initial sighting of the 2024 model in the lenses of our trusty spy photographer partners. Remarkably, a swift search of our database has validated our intuition – as it turns out, the first appearance of the vehicle, framed by a snowy backdrop, dates back to January 2022!
Since that juncture, the B10 prototypes – especially the family-oriented Avant station wagons – have been captured on numerous occasions. In fact, we’ve even had the opportunity to peruse the latest hearsay from the rumor mill, suggesting that Audi might bestow a fresh moniker upon its line of luxury compact executive cars once more. In due course, official confirmation surfaced from CEO Markus Duesmann that the series, initially known as the Audi 80 and later as the A4, would adopt the A5 nameplate, commencing with the B10 iteration.
Baffling, isn’t it? This is particularly confounding when considering the existence of an Audi A5 lineup of sports cars (including coupe, cabriolet, and five-door Sportback liftback) introduced in 2007, which reached its second generation a decade later. However, it appears that Audi has chosen to rename its e-tron models with even numbers, while odd numbers will be reserved for their internal combustion engine counterparts. Consequently, the B10 series could potentially encompass an A5 sedan, Sportback, coupe, cabriolet, Avant station wagon, and a venturesome Allroad crossover tourer.
Attempting to decipher the intricacies of Audi’s decisions might induce a headache, so we turned to the imaginative realm of digital automotive content creators for a brief respite – and a glimpse into what the forthcoming 2025 Audi A4 or A5 Allroad (B10) might resemble. The creative minds at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have conjured up CGI representations of the forthcoming Audi Allroad crossover wagon, and as customary, their interpretations likely bear a resemblance to reality.
This is particularly fitting since we’re discussing Audi, a brand renowned for its understated incorporation of innovative design elements. The resident digital artist had previously crafted renders of the 2024 Avant model, providing us with a comprehensive view both inside and out. Thus, a solid foundation for CGI endeavors had already been laid.
Following tradition, the Allroad variant should exhibit a slightly elevated stance compared to the Avant, feature extra body cladding, and offer the quattro all-wheel drive system as a standard feature, among other attributes. Naturally, a significant portion of the engine options would be shared between the two station wagons, alongside the hypothetical array of colors showcased in the embedded video below.
Audi is embarking on a venture to blend the A4 and A5 into a singular model for the upcoming generation, steeped in deep ambiguity. The A4 moniker will vanish, making way for the A5 Sportback to assume the roles of both vehicles. This strategic move forms part of a grander scheme, segregating internal combustion engine (ICE) automobiles as odd-numbered iterations, while their electric counterparts will be allocated even numbers, all in a bid to circumvent any potential perplexity.
In the realm of the automotive world, the 2024 Audi A5 Sportback has emerged from concealment in the latest spy images, now showcasing fresh wheels. By adopting this strategy, the German automaker streamlines its production, focusing solely on one compelling option. This chosen entity not only exudes heightened elegance with its coupe-esque blueprint but also flaunts heightened pragmatism courtesy of its liftback trunk. Audi’s decision appears to be a clear and logical one.
Furthermore, the transformation unfolds as the A4 Avant undergoes a rebranding, emerging as the A5 Avant. While the nomenclature shifts, the essence of the vehicle remains undisturbed. The enigma that persists revolves around Audi’s intentions with the two-door A5 – whether it will persist to vie against the BMW 4-Series and the impending Mercedes CLE, or whether it will fade into obscurity in the ever-evolving coupe landscape.
Staying true to the modern Audi trend, the A5 inherits refined graphical elements like the headlights and the single-frame grille, featuring crisper, horizontally-stretched aesthetics. These design choices conspire to grant the car a more aggressive, wider stance. The body’s contours follow a smoother trajectory compared to Audi’s ongoing offerings, thereby introducing an additional layer of grace to balance its innate sportiness. Notably, the vehicle sports a full-width rear light bar, and this particular variant showcases distinct wheels, setting it apart from other prototypes.
Within the cabin of the 2024 Audi A5 Sportback, a comprehensive overhaul is anticipated, marked by a standalone digital gauge cluster and a generously sized central infotainment screen. However, the veil of camouflage shrouds the finer details of the interior architecture. What has been discerned includes a simplified central console, in addition to the double-hexagon steering wheel akin to certain of Audi’s contemporary models.
On the powertrain front, European markets are poised to access a diverse array of options spanning gasoline, diesel, and hybrid alternatives. In stark contrast, North America is likely to receive a more limited selection, potentially confined to gasoline and hybrid models boasting greater power output than their European counterparts.
Anticipated to debut by year-end as a 2024 model, the A5 Sportback will gradually start making its way to customers’ hands come spring of 2024, leaving an aura of enigma lingering around Audi’s strategic maneuvers.