- A camouflaged Audi A5 prototype was spotted testing in Germany, hinting at a fourth body style.
- The tester shows small differences from the five-door A5 Sedan, resembling a Sportback model.
- The camouflage wrap design suggests that the new variant is destined for the Chinese market.
Audi isn’t slowing down in its quest to expand its A5 lineup, and fresh spy shots from Germany, point to a potential new addition, one that could sit alongside the upcoming five-door “Sedan” and Avant models. The prototype in question, also a five-door model, appears to hint at a new variant, possibly tailored for the lucrative Chinese market.
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The global-spec Audi A5 is currently available in Sedan and Avant body styles, alongside a stretched A5L, which is a proper four-door sedan, built exclusively for the Chinese market. At first glance, the tester might easily be mistaken for the five-door liftback sedan—which, ironically, perfectly fits the Sportback definition, but has been officially denied that name in all markets, including North America. Then again, this is the same brand that looked at its own name and thought, “Let’s name a sub-brand after ourselves in all caps—no one will get confused at all.”
Design Tweaks and Tailgate Clues
That said, a closer inspection of the prototype reveals several notable differences. One of the most obvious is the placement of the license plate. Unlike the A5 Sedan, where the plate resides just below the LED light strip, this prototype features it mounted on the rear bumper. Additionally, the tailgate shut lines diverge from the standard model, curving as they meet the rear glass rather than following a straight path.
Further hints at a unique identity come from the roofline, which appears slightly reworked in the spy shots. The subtle redesign seems to emphasize a more pronounced rear spoiler, lending the car a fastback silhouette that evokes the A7 Sportback. Even the greenhouse design behind the C-pillar appears tweaked, suggesting a more dynamic profile.
A Larger Grille and Wider Tailpipes
Up front, the prototype seems to sport a slightly larger grille when compared directly to the standard A5. Meanwhile, the rear end showcases wider tailpipes, completing a more aggressive aesthetic that sets this prototype apart.
China-Specific Possibilities
The A5 prototype was spotted testing near Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, but the camouflage pattern tells a different story. According to the spy photographers, this type of camouflage has historically been applied to Audi models bound for Asian markets, particularly China. Combined with the subtle differences from the standard A5 Sedan, it’s reasonable to speculate that this could be a China-only offering.
China’s unique automotive market dynamics further bolster this theory. Foreign automakers operating in China must partner with at least two local companies, often leading to market-specific variants of global models. Audi, for example, collaborates with both FAW and SAIC. Since the A5L sedan is a product of the Audi-FAW partnership, this new prototype could potentially belong to the Audi-SAIC joint venture.
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Regardless of its intended market, this new A5 variant will ride on the recently introduced Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, shared by the rest of the A5 family. This platform marks a significant shift, replacing the ICE-powered A4 while offering modularity for future powertrain options.
Under the hood, the new A5 prototype is expected to feature the familiar turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. However, unlike some of its electrified siblings, this version may remain non-electrified, catering to buyers who still favor traditional powertrains.
