The Audi A4 is now called the Audi A5, and this is the new one. Wait, what now?

Audi has revealed the brand new A5 saloon and estate, and if you’re thinking ‘they look suspiciously like an Audi A4 saloon and estate’, you’re right. Because Audi has once again been playing around with its monikers. The A4 is now the A5. Because reasons.

Specifically, electric reasons. Now, odd numbers – like the A5 – denote a combustion engine, and even numbers – like, say, the A4 – are electric models. With one exception, the Audi Q8. Which keeps its V8. Because… reasons.

So, the new A4 – sorry, A5. There are four variants available: the A5 and S5 saloon, and A5 and S5 estate (Avant in AudiSpeak), and all sit on the new ‘Premium Platform Combustion’, um, platform. For combustion-engined cars. As such, the powertrain choices start with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot petrol engine, tuned to 147bhp or 201bhp, mated to a dual-clutch gearbox and configured for front-wheel-drive only (at least in the UK).

Then there’s a 48V mild hybrid set-up coupled with a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine, making 201bhp and 291lb ft of torque, which of course gets the fuel economy benefits of diesel and electrification. That’s available as a front-driver or with 4WD.

The sportier S5 gets a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine and a revised dual clutch gearbox – said to reduce the weight on the front axle – and is paired with a 48V mild hybrid system for the first time. When compared with the outgoing S4, it saves as much as 14g/km of carbon emissions.

Design-wise, the front end of the A4 – sorry, A5 – is much changed. Audi says the model is longer and wider, though it doesn’t say how much it’s grown by. The saloon is less a three-box now, more a swoopier, Sportback-esque design that looks a little like… the old A5 Sportback. There’s a new grille with a fresh new honeycomb design, flanked by redesigned air vents and reshaped headlights, housing 60 LEDs per panel.

Inside, Audi tells us the cabin is spacious with plenty of tech kit. First up, there’s the brand’s panoramic curved display giving the driver an 11.9in screen and 14.5in infotainment setup, featuring Audi’s multimedia suite. The passenger gets the use of a 10.9in display, and there’ll also be an optional improved head-up display, standard on the S5.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but it’ll be available to order from August. Just remember to tick the right box that says ‘A5’ and not ‘A4’…