Key Takeaways
- Audi will no longer use fake exhaust outlets on new PPC-based cars.
- The red rhombus logo, previously exclusive to S and RS models, is now showing up on non-performance cars.
- Audi is moving away from confusing engine naming to simplify model designations.
Audi has always been admired for its understated and tasteful design, but of late, one aspect has been rather controversial: the fake exhaust outlets. But fans of the four-ringed brand should worry no more – the automaker has confirmed this is a thing of the past, starting with the all-new A5/S5 lineup. On the other hand, Audi is making even entry-level cars look sportier with new badges (more on these later).
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2026 Audi A5 Sedan
- Base Trim Engine
- 2.0l Inline 4
- Base Trim Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Transmission
- 7-speed dual-clutch Automatic
- Base Trim Horsepower
- 268 hp
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2026 Audi S5 Sedan
- Base Trim Engine
- 3.0l V6 Biturbo
- Base Trim Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Transmission
- 7-speed dual-clutch Automatic
- Base Trim Horsepower
- 362 hp
A company official confirmed to Auto Express that “All PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) cars will have ‘hot’ tailpipes; functional tailpipes.” The current crop of Audi motorcars has faux exhaust finishers that are part of the rear fascia. From a distance, they could be mistaken for actual pipes, but they look rather cheap and tacky when viewed up close. The rather underwhelming pipes are concealed behind the bumper.
Faux Tailpipes Won’t Be Missed
Unsurprisingly, this has chagrined gearheads, who can spot the faux pipes from a mile away. Thankfully, Audi has listened to customer feedback and is making the change. “It’s for the design,” said the automaker. We can expect this trend to appear on the new A7 lineup and a potential ICE-powered Audi A8 successor. It remains to be seen whether existing MQB platform-based models will also see this update introduced.
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While this is a welcome announcement, Audi has also introduced another trend in recent months that won’t sit well with enthusiasts. First spotted by Motor1, the new A5 press car in the official materials sports a red rhombus ahead of the model designation. Why would this annoy gearheads? Previously, this was reserved exclusively for S and RS models, denoting their status as high-performance offerings in the range. Now, it seems even the standard models will receive this badging.
Even Standard Audis Get The Red Rhombus Now
While some customers wouldn’t notice this addition (or care), it’s just another way in which Audi is diluting its high-performance brands. The Ingolstadt-based brand isn’t the only one to do so. BMW applies the M badge and M styling to just about anything (including front-wheel-drive diesel hatchbacks), and Mercedes does the same with the AMG brand. While this appeals to mainstream customers who just want the look of a high-performance car, it alienates the very people who invest in these subbrands.
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The red rhombus has been applied to the A5 and the recently facelifted Q8 and A3 lines. While this will frustrate enthusiasts, we must commend the automaker for doing away with its confusing naming system. A few years ago, Audi introduced its double-digit engine naming strategy, which used numbers to denote power output and status. However, few understood what “45 TFSI” or “55 TFSI” meant, and that included owners. Thankfully, this is now also a thing of the past.
Sources:
Auto Express
,
Motor1
#Audi #Killing #Fake #Exhausts
