Audi facelifted the first generation of the A5 lineup in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, after four years on the market, and the changes also covered the S5, which was initially released in 2009.
The German carmaker found a niche market with customers eager to get more performances from their regular family-friendly vehicles. Despite its sporty styling, the A5 Sportback was a hatchback with a long tail that could transport four people on long journeys, and the carmaker offered them the possibility to get there faster.

At the front, Audi installed a new set of LED headlights and the refreshed singleframe signature grille. On its sides, the silver door mirrors were already a tradition for the Audi S-vehicles. It was a subtle regular vehicle, but a trained eye would notice the four exhausts flanking the diffuser at the back. Also, in the rear, a set of LED, with an option for a continuous LED system, taillights adorned the liftgate and the quarter panels.

Inside, the carmaker introduced a new MMI (Multi Media Information) infotainment unit placed above the center stack, covered in by the wider instrument cluster. The new system allowed better connections with Android iOS devices. To keep their four occupants in comfort, Audi installed front bucket seats and a bench for three in the back, but the middle passenger didn’t have enough legroom around the transmission tunnel. The split-folding bench’ increased the trunk size from 480 liters (16.9 cu-ft) to 980 liters (34.6 cu-ft).

Under the hood, there were no improvements over the 2010 model. It featured the same supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine paired to a seven-speed (dual-clutch) automatic gearbox that sent the power in all corners.