On the Nurburgring, the S5 Sportback looks as sure-footed as the outgoing model, which strikes a fine balance between dynamism and comfort. The exhaust note is muted yet sporty, much like the 3.0-liter V6 that does duty in the existing model. This turbocharged motor produces 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, which makes for spirited performance.

We expect Audi to retain this engine but with several changes to improve economy and performance. There’s a strong possibility it will be electrified in some way. When we last spotted the S5 Sportback prototype, the test vehicle had a yellow warning sticker, indicating some form of electrical assistance.

The electric A4 is expected to debut sometime in 2025. Given that the current A4 and A5 have been around for nearly eight years, we expect the Audi A5 Sportback release to happen any minute now, with the S5 models to follow shortly afterward.