Audi A5 Coupe 40 TFSI 2020 UK first drive

The second-generation of Audi’s executive coupé has been given a facelift for 2020, although you might be hard-pressed to tell at a quick glance. The Ingolstadt firm’s exterior designers have been sparing in their efforts, with only the likes of a slightly restyled grille differentiating the updated version from its predecessor.

Given this generation of the A5 Coupé has only been around since 2016, you can understand why the firm hasn’t felt the need to force a design revolution, especially as Audi has long traded on pushing premium feel through restrained design. Certainly, unless you have particularly strong feelings about ventilation slits above grilles, there’s little here that will spark opinion and debate like the grille of the rival BMW 4 Series. Whether that’s a good thing or not is for you to decide.

Besides, the A5 Coupé’s minor external changes hide more progress elsewhere: the interior has been updated to bring it into line with its more modern sibling models, including the latest version of Audi’s infotainment system.

While most of the A5 Coupé’s mechanicals remain unchanged, Audi has revamped the engine range with the addition of 12V mild-hybrid technology across most of the line-up, including the 188bhp 40 TFSI tested here. The system uses a belt-driven alternator to harvest energy under braking, which is then used to boost efficiency - with a resultant slight increase in fuel economy and general refinement.

In coupé form, the interior of the facelifted A5 is refined, comfortable and spacious – so long as you’re sitting in the front two seats, that is. Like many executive coupés of this size, rear leg and head room are limited and accessing the back seats requires some contortions for larger adults. You'll have less cause for complaint about housing your shopping, given that the 450-litre boot is among the best in class.

The A5’s cockpit is dominated by screens, with Audi’s excellent digital cockpit and a head-up display for the driver and a large centrally mounted infotainment touchscreen. The 10.1in system runs the latest version of Audi’s slick and refined infotainment system, which has plenty of features and is easy to use. That said, Audi has removed the control wheel function of previous models in favour of touchscreen controls – a move that's unlikely to be universally popular.

The mild-hybrid system on our 40 TSFI test car is much like the styling changes made to the A5 Coupé: you’ll only really notice it if you really go looking for it. It works away automatically to boost the efficiency and you’ll only really notice it if you lift off the throttle pedal while at cruising speed, when the system will shut the engine off and use electric power to save fuel.