Latest news with #Avant
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Avant Technologies' Joint Venture Partner Presents AI Technology at Roche Ophthalmology Conference
LAS VEGAS, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ -- Avant Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI) ("Avant" or the "Company"), an emerging technology company developing healthcare solutions using both artificial intelligence (AI) and developments in biotechnology, today announced that Vinicio Vargas, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Avant's partner, Ainnova Tech, Inc., (Ainnova), was a featured speaker Friday and Saturday at Roche's Latin America "Macular Spectacular" Ophthalmology conference in Cartagena, Colombia. The conference highlighted the latest in scientific advances in treatments for the most common eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy, while also focusing on strengthening collaboration between industry specialists in Latin America. Ainnova's CEO, Vinicio Vargas, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC), the company formed by the partnership between Avant and Ainnova to advance and commercialize Ainnova's technology portfolio, discussed the status of AI and its uses in the industry to improve patient outcomes. Vargas and a host of renowned speakers that included Dr. Laura Velásquez, Dr. Roberto Gallego, Hugo Ocampo, and other ophthalmologists and experts presented the latest tools to transform visual health in the region, reflected on unmet needs, and explained how innovation can help build stronger, accessible, and patient-centered health systems. In Q4 2024, Ainnova entered a strategic alliance with global biotech, Roche, and leading prepaid health plan provider, Salud 360, to start a pilot program to combat diabetic retinopathy using Ainnova's AI-powered, cutting-edge technology, Vision AI. The alliance aims at improving access to vision screening in patients with uncontrolled diabetes with the hope of decreasing the risks of diabetic retinopathy. If the program is successful, Avant and Ainnova hope to implement a similar program in the United States, Canada, and Europe through AAC. AAC has the worldwide licensing rights for Ainnova's technology portfolio, which includes Ainnova's Vision AI platform. About Ainnova Tech, Inc. Ainnova is a Nevada-based healthtech startup with headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica, and Houston, Texas. Founded by an experienced and innovative team that is dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence for early disease detection. Recognized with multiple global awards and renowned partnerships with hospitals and medical device companies, we proudly introduce Vision AI – our cutting-edge platform designed to prevent blindness and detect the early onset of diabetes. Explore how Ainnova is revolutionizing healthcare through advanced technology and proactive solutions. About Avant Technologies Inc. Avant Technologies Inc. is an emerging technology company developing solutions in healthcare using artificial intelligence and biotechnologies. With a focus on pushing the boundaries of what is possible in AI and biotechnology, Avant serves a diverse range of industries, driving progress and efficiency through state-of-the-art technology. More information about Avant can be found at You can also follow us on social media at: Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements because of various important factors as disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission located at their website ( In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, governmental and public policy changes, the Company's ability to raise capital on acceptable terms, if at all, the Company's successful development of its products and the integration into its existing products and the commercial acceptance of the Company's products. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date after the date of the press release. Contact:
7NEWS
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2025 Audi S5 Avant review
The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. How much does the Audi S5 cost? What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What is the Audi S5 like on the inside? The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What's under the bonnet? At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How does the Audi S5 drive? The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What do you get? Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: 19-inch alloy wheels S line exterior Matrix LED headlights Convenience key – keyless entry Projection light in exterior mirrors Electric tailgate with gesture control Digital key 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus Audi sound system Audi connect plus Audi smartphone interface DAB radio Audi phone box light – wireless phone charger USB-C charge points – front, rear Sport front seats with integrated headrests Leather/leatherette upholstery Wraparound interior elements – leatherette Tri-zone climate control Electric front seats Heated front seats Colour ambient lighting A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: 19-inch alloy wheels – different design S line interior Sport front seats incl. S embossing Door sill trims with aluminium inlays Inlays in brushed aluminium with linear embossing Sport leather steering wheel – 3-spoke, flat top/bottom Stainless steel pedals Black headlining Roof rails – Avant A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels Sport suspension Red brake calipers Black exterior styling package Black roof rails – Avant Privacy glass Auxiliary air conditioning AC charging port 11kW AC 3-phase charging 240V 3-pin. Australian standard plug 230V 32-amp CEE industrial plug Type 2 charging cable for public charging Wall bracket for mounting of charger Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: 19-inch alloy wheels – black S exterior styling S sports suspension Red brake calipers Black exterior styling package Black roof rails – Avant Dinamica microfibre/leather upholstery with S embossing Wraparound interior elements in Dinamica microfibre Headlining in black Door sill trims with aluminium inlays Pedals in stainless steel Sport leather steering wheel – 3-spoke, S emblem S5 adds: S design 20-inch alloy wheels S exterior aluminium styling Aluminium roof rails – Avant S sport suspension incl. adjustable damping Digital OLED tail-lights Fine Nappa leather upholstery Seats with illuminated S emblem Heated front, rear seats Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats Massaging front seats Electric steering column adjustment Colour ambient lighting incl. dynamic interaction light strip Head-up display 100W USB-C charge ports Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound MMI front passenger touchscreen display To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Options The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Head-up display High-powered USB charge ports – rear Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system Single-item options include: Ascari blue metallic paint: $2100 Audi exclusive individual paint – S5: $9700 Black exterior styling package – S5: $2490 Rear privacy glass – S5 edition one: $1100 Panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency: $4990 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display – S5 edition one: $1950 To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Is the Audi S5 safe? The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: Adaptive cruise control with stop/go Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection Blind-spot monitoring Driver attention monitoring Front cross-traffic assist Lane-keep assist Front and rear turn assist Rear cross-traffic assist Swerve assist Vehicle exit warning Surround-view camera Front and rear parking sensors Front, side and curtain airbags To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How much does the Audi S5 cost to run? The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool CarExpert's Take on the Audi S5 The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here MORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Pros #SaveTheWagon! It's properly quick Sharply priced edition one Cons Some tech quibbles and omissions Avant not much bigger than sedan Some expensive options and packs This article was originally published from CarExpert and appears with permission.
The Advertiser
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2025 Audi S5 Avant review
Audi S5 Pros Audi S5 Cons The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: S5 adds: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Single-item options include: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Content originally sourced from: S5 Pros Audi S5 Cons The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: S5 adds: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Single-item options include: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Content originally sourced from: S5 Pros Audi S5 Cons The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: S5 adds: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Single-item options include: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Content originally sourced from: S5 Pros Audi S5 Cons The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: S5 adds: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Single-item options include: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Content originally sourced from:
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Avant Brands Announces Results for Q2 2025
KELOWNA, BC / / July 15, 2025 / Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BUP) ("Avant" or the "Company"), a leading producer of innovative and award-winning cannabis products, today released its financial results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2025 ("Q2 2025"). With a growing international footprint and deep penetration into key global medical markets, Avant continues to scale as the go-to Canadian exporter for top-shelf cannabis at commercial volume. The Company delivered its sixth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA1, supported by growth in Export Wholesale Revenue2 and disciplined operational execution. (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at (2) Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at Highlights include: Gross and Net Revenue Increases: Gross Revenue increased 3% to $9.7 million, while Net Revenue increased 3% to $8.5 million as compared to Q2 2024, driven by sustained international demand for premium cannabis and strong relationships with customers. Export Wholesale Revenue2: Export Wholesale Revenue2 reached $4.1 million, representing an 11% increase over Q2 2024, reflecting Avant's expanding presence in key international medical markets such as Germany, Israel, and Australia. (2) Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at Domestic Wholesale Revenue3: Domestic Wholesale Revenue3 reached $1.3 million, representing a 31% increase over Q2 2024. (3) Domestic Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at Adjusted EBITDA1: Achieved Adjusted EBITDA1 of $1.2 million, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA1. (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at Net Cash Flows Generated from Operating Activities: Net cash flows generated from operating activities year to date ("YTD") increased 7% to $2.6 million as compared to Q2 2024. Avant Brands Founder & CEO Norton Singhavon Comments: "Avant is executing at a global scale. We are establishing ourselves as the leading Canadian exporter of high-grade cannabis, trusted by top-tier distributors in markets like Germany, Israel, and Australia. Our ability to deliver consistent, premium-quality product at scale is what sets us apart. As international demand accelerates, our focus remains on building globally recognized brands and solidifying Avant's position as the standard for Canadian cannabis on the world stage." Fiscal Q2 2025 Financial Highlights (vs. Fiscal Q2 2024): Revenue: Gross Revenue: $9.7 million (+3%) Net Revenue: $8.5 million (+3%) Export Wholesale Revenue2: $4.1 million (+11%) Recreational Revenue4: $2.9 million (-14%) Domestic Wholesale Revenue3: $1.3 million (+37%) (2) Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at (3) Domestic Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at (4) Recreational Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at Recreational Revenue4 declined because of a strategic shift toward higher-margin, top-performing SKUs. This realignment is expected to drive long-term profitability, while resources continue to be prioritized toward scaling international operations. (4) Recreational Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments5: Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments5: Decreased to $2.2 million (-27%) due to improved Cost of Sales allocations. Gross Margin % adjusted for fair value adjustments6: Decreased to 26% (vs. 37%). YTD Net Cash Flows Generated from Operating activities increased 7% versus the comparative period, inclusive of the improved allocations to Cost of Sales. (5) Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at (6) Gross Margin % adjusted for fair value adjustments is a non-GAAP performance ratio. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at Adjusted EBITDA1 Achieved Adjusted EBITDA1 of $1.2 million, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA1. (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q2 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at Cannabis Production and Sales: Cannabis Production: 3,327 KG (+4%). Cannabis Sales: 2,799 KG sold (+3%). About Avant Brands Inc. Avant Brands Inc. (TSX: AVNT) (OTCQX: AVTBF) (FRA: 1BUP) is a leading innovator in premium cannabis products, driven by a commitment to exceptional quality and craftsmanship. As one of Canada's largest indoor producers, the company operates multiple production facilities across the country, cultivating unique and high-quality cannabis strains. Avant offers a diverse product portfolio catering to recreational, medical, and export markets. Its renowned consumer brands, including blk mkt™, Tenzo™, Cognōscente™, flowr™, and Treehugger™, are available in key recreational markets across Canada. The company's international footprint spans Australia, Israel, and Germany, with its flagship brand blk mkt™ leading the way. Avant also serves qualified medical patients nationwide through its GreenTec™ medical cannabis brand, accessible via the GreenTec Medical portal and trusted partner network. Avant is a publicly traded company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and accessible to international investors through the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA). Headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, the company operates in strategic locations throughout Canada. Learn More:For more information about Avant, including investor presentations and details about its consumer brands, please visit the company website: Investor Relations:For inquiries, please contact Avant Brands Investor Relations at 1-800-351-6358 or ir@ CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, encompassing statements regarding Avant Brands Inc.'s ("Avant" or the "Company") plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations concerning future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "plans," "may," "could," "should," "will," or variations of such words and phrases. In particular, this news release includes forward-looking information related to, but not limited to, the Company's expectations for future revenue and sales growth, the continued performance of its international operations, the demand for its premium cannabis products-including the blk mkt™ brand-in key global markets, and the Company's strategic initiatives to prioritize high-performing SKUs, streamline its domestic offerings, and expand its presence in Australia, Germany, Israel, and other international jurisdictions. Forward-looking information also includes statements concerning the Company's ongoing focus on operational efficiencies, profitability, and the anticipated availability of financial statements and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") on the Company's SEDAR+ profile and website, providing investors with comprehensive financial information. Investors should be aware that forward-looking information involves inherent risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information. Management's current expectations may not accurately predict future events or outcomes. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates, or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions, and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance, or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; changes in consumer demand and preferences; changes in general economic, business, and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; and the risk factors set out in the Company's annual information form dated February 28, 2025 filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties, and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FINANCIAL INFORMATION This document should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (the "financial statements") and the Company's MD&A for the three months and six months ended May 31, 2025, and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended November 30, 2024. All dollar amounts are referenced in millions of Canadian dollars, except where noted otherwise. The Company's financial statements and MD&A for the three months and six months ended May 31, 2025 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). Additional information relating to the Company, including its Annual Information Form for the year ended November 30, 2024, is available on SEDAR+ at Information on the Company's website does not form part of and is not incorporated by reference in the Company's MD&A. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES This document includes references to non-GAAP measures, which include non-GAAP and other financial measures as defined in National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure. These financial measures are used by the Company to evaluate its financial performance, financial position or cash flow and include non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios, total of segments measures, capital management measures, and supplementary financial measures. These financial measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore are referred to as non-GAAP and other financial measures. The non-GAAP and other financial measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, and should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable financial measure presented in the Company's financial statements, as applicable, as an indication of the Company's performance. Descriptions of the Company's non-GAAP and other financial measures included in this document, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as applicable, are provided in the "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-Gaap Performance Measures" section of the Company's MD&A for the three months and six months ended May 31, 2025, dated July 15th, 2025. SOURCE: Avant Brands Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Healthcare's $110B AI Surge Is Picking Up Speed--and It's Just the Beginning
Issued on behalf of Avant Technologies Inc. VANCOUVER, BC, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ -- As artificial intelligence reshapes the future of medicine, understanding how patients actually feel about it is becoming just as critical as the technology itself. A new study published in Nature introduced an "AI Affinity Score" to measure patient comfort with AI in clinical settings—showing that education level and region heavily influence acceptance. The findings suggest that personalizing AI integration based on patient attitudes can enhance care quality and satisfaction. That kind of insight is already guiding investor attention toward emerging opportunities in a sector projected to surpass $110 billion by 2030, with companies like Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI), GE Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GEHC), Waystar Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: WAY), The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), and IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE: IQV). That growth trajectory is only accelerating. According to Accenture, artificial intelligence could unlock an additional $461 billion in value across healthcare by 2035—on top of a sector already projected to surpass $2.26 trillion. But this isn't just a story about better diagnostics or faster automation. It's a full-system overhaul, with AI now shaping everything from treatment plans to billing infrastructure—and a new class of innovators rising to meet the moment. Avant Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AVAI) and joint-venture partner Ainnova Tech have officially launched a transformative new preventative care model aimed at chronic disease patients across Latin America—reshaping how and where care is delivered. At the center of this rollout is a seamless, pharmacy-based experience that allows diabetic patients to receive free retinal risk screenings at local pharmacy chains. The goal is to eliminate access barriers to early diagnosis by removing the need for specialist visits. The companies are working closely with pharmacies, clinics, insurers, and pharma partners to align incentives and activate earlier interventions. A growing referral network now routes "at risk" patients—identified by Ainnova's AI platform—to medical specialists for follow-up care. It's a strategic and scalable approach to one of the biggest gaps in modern healthcare: detecting chronic conditions like diabetic retinopathy before symptoms appear. Avant and Ainnova are now proving that preventive care can be both frictionless for the patient and financially sustainable across the healthcare ecosystem. With multiple commercial agreements and pilots already underway, the companies are forecasting a rapid expansion in reach and revenue heading into 2026. This growth is especially significant for Avant, which co-founded Ai-Nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC) to commercialize Ainnova's technology portfolio and holds worldwide licensing rights—including across Latin America, where this model is being rolled out. The milestone announcement comes just one day after a key regulatory development: on July 7, the JV team held its scheduled pre-submission meeting with the U.S. FDA. This session was set up to help determine the pathway for 510(k) clearance for Vision AI, the companies' flagship diagnostic platform for diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases. "We're approaching a key milestone," said Vinicio Vargas, CEO at Ainnova and a member of the Board of Directors of Ai-Nova Acquisition Corp."We've been preparing thoroughly with the support of an experienced CRO and expert regulatory advisors, and we're optimistic about the outcome. Diabetic retinopathy is the number one cause of preventable blindness worldwide. That's unacceptable—and we believe technology can change that. But this is just the beginning. Retinal screening offers a gateway to detecting many systemic conditions early—like Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, and more." Avant's broader diabetes strategy continues to evolve. In addition to the pharmacy-based rollout and FDA clearance push, the company is preparing to launch a new standalone venture to pursue a potential therapeutic candidate for diabetes. This move would integrate leadership, data, and IP under a single operating company—eliminating holding-company inefficiencies and aligning structure with strategic execution. Over 30% of people living with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy—a condition that's treatable when caught early but remains a leading cause of vision loss globally. Vision AI is designed to change that, using retinal imaging and artificial intelligence to deliver low-cost, accurate screenings without the need for on-site specialists. The system is currently being piloted inside Grupo Dökka's pharmacy chains— Fischel and La Bomba —with free scans available to the public. In parallel, the team is finalizing a next-generation, cloud-connected retinal camera optimized for use in clinics and rural areas. Future disease modules are also in development, including a dementia screening tool powered by blood biomarker integration. "We're committed to pushing the boundaries of preventive care, improving both life expectancy and quality of life for people around the world," added Vargas. "That's the mission behind everything we do." A previously announced non-binding LOI remains in place for Avant to acquire 100% of Ainnova Tech —a move that would simplify the joint venture structure and bring all commercialization rights, IP, and leadership under one public umbrella. Ainnova's model is designed to unify the entire chronic care ecosystem. Key stakeholders—including pharmacies, clinics, insurance providers, and pharmaceutical partners—are now aligned around a single, scalable workflow. Patients flagged as "at-risk" by the AI platform are referred to specialists for timely treatment, enabling earlier intervention and better outcomes at lower cost. GE Healthcare Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GEHC) is advancing the field of theranostics with a new suite of AI-powered imaging technologies, radiopharmaceuticals, and workflow tools designed to personalize cancer care. At the SNMMI 2025 meeting, the company unveiled LesionID™ Pro—software with zero-click pre-processing to help physicians analyze tumor burden faster and more accurately. "At GE HealthCare, we are dedicated to providing clinicians the precision care tools needed for the adoption and practice of theranostics," shares Jean-Luc Procaccini, President & CEO, Molecular Imaging & Computed Tomography, GE HealthCare. "We designed our portfolio of precision care solutions to evolve with healthcare system needs and help support a patient's entire care journey – from the imaging equipment needed for a noninvasive look at a patient's anatomy and treatment monitoring, to novel radiopharmaceuticals used to diagnose and monitor disease and the systems required to produce them, to the software optimized to enable data-driven decision-making. In the hands of clinicians, these tools help advance the global practice of personalized medicine and help improve patient outcomes." These innovations support a shift toward precision care, aiming to streamline diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring across the full cancer care pathway. Waystar Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: WAY) recently released a new Forrester Consulting study revealing that AI is now considered mission-critical in healthcare revenue cycle management. The report found that 82% of healthcare leaders view AI as integral to their operations, with adoption leading to 13–37% improvements in claim accuracy, denial prevention, and payment speed. "This research reinforces what we're seeing across the industry," said Matt Hawkins, CEO of Waystar. "AI is no longer theoretical and is fundamentally reshaping how providers operate. As healthcare organizations navigate growing complexity, the study shows they're relying on proven and trusted RCM software providers to deploy AI." As trust in AI grows, most decision-makers are turning to established RCM providers like Waystar for scalable, secure integration. Cigna Healthcare, the health benefits division of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), has introduced a suite of new AI-powered digital tools aimed at simplifying common healthcare interactions. "We're committed to making our customers' experiences simpler, seamless and more reliable," said Heather Dlugolenski, Chief Strategy Officer, Cigna Healthcare. "That's why we're creating smarter, more connected digital experiences that anticipate our customers' needs while bringing clarity and compassion to everyday moments." At the heart of the upgrade is a generative AI virtual assistant that delivers clear, personalized answers and seamlessly connects customers to human support if needed. Additional features include smart claim submission, real-time cost tracking, and personalized provider matching—each designed to enhance the user experience and improve outcomes. IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE: IQV) has unveiled a suite of custom-built AI agents designed to accelerate research and improve operations across the life sciences sector. Powered by NVIDIA's technology, these agents support a range of tasks including clinical data review, literature scanning, market analysis, and HCP engagement. "This is a pivotal opportunity to deliver the precise, efficient workflows and insights required by the modern life sciences industry backed by deep industry expertise and powerful technology partnerships," said Bhavik Patel, president of IQVIA Commercial Solutions. "Our collaboration with NVIDIA helps us realize our vision to power smarter healthcare for everyone, everywhere." The announcement highlights IQVIA's strategic push into agentic AI following its broader collaboration with NVIDIA announced earlier this year. DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). MIQ has been paid a fee for Avant Technologies Inc. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares Avant Technologies Inc., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of Avant Technologies Inc. which were purchased in the open market. MIQ reserves the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of Avant Technologies Inc. at any time thereafter without any further notice. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material disseminated by MIQ has been approved by the above mentioned company; this is a paid advertisement, and we own shares of the mentioned company that we will sell, and we also reserve the right to buy shares of the company in the open market, or through other investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. 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