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This week, the 2025 Audi S5 was unveiled, and one technical detail raised eyebrows among enthusiasts. There were indications that the car would replace the traditional Torsen-type Quattro system with a “Quattro Ultra” setup, which would only direct power to the rear wheels upon detecting slip, similar to Audi’s more mainstream vehicles. This potential shift understandably upset many Audi fans; however, the manufacturer has now confirmed that the new S5 will maintain the conventional Quattro all-wheel-drive system as seen in previous models.
Correction Wednesday, July 17, 2024, 6:30 p.m. ET: An earlier version of this article incorrectly claimed that the 2025 Audi S5 would utilize a Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive system based on an official Audi document. Audi did not respond to inquiries from The Drive before publication. Later, Audi clarified to The Drive that the previous statements were erroneous; this article has been revised accordingly. According to Audi, “the B10 S5 employs the same standard quattro with sport diff as today’s B9 S5 with the S sport package,” while the Quattro Ultra will continue to be available on the A5 models.
To provide some context, the Quattro system has traditionally employed a Torsen center-locking differential, which distributes 60% of power to the rear and 40% to the front axle. This Torsen system is known for its durability, reliability, and consistent performance, and has been the standard for many Audis with longitudinal engines for years.
Recently, however, Audi shifted its less powerful ‘A’ models to a system they refer to as “Quattro with ultra technology.” Instead of a Torsen differential, this Quattro Ultra system operates primarily as front-wheel drive until wheel slip is detected, at which point it uses an electronic clutch pack to channel some power to the rear wheels. Unlike the traditional setup, it cannot send more than half of the total torque to the rear axle, as seen in conventional Haldex systems. While suitable for regular Audi vehicles, this Ultra system was not utilized in performance cars with longitudinal engines, being reserved for smaller models with transverse engines, such as the Audi S3.
Audi
Initially, it appeared that the “B10” S5 would represent a significant transition, becoming the first model with both a longitudinal engine and Quattro Ultra. The promotional material highlighted features such as the S5’s “all-wheel-drive clutch” and noted the new model’s improvements in carbon emissions over its predecessor. However, it has now been officially clarified by an Audi spokesperson to The Drive that:
“Quattro Ultra is only available on the B10 A5, not the S5. The B10 S5 continues to utilize the same standard quattro with sport differential as the existing B9 S5 featuring the S sport package. It is equipped with a rear sport differential as standard, ensuring the quattro system remains fully engaged at all times, akin to the Torsen arrangement.”
This news comes as a relief. While there are notable performance vehicles that utilize Haldex setups—such as the Volkswagen Golf R and Audi’s own RS3—the new S5 would have represented a significant departure with such a shift. Performance enthusiasts generally prefer rear-biased power delivery, and despite the fresh tech in the S5, it’s reassuring that this fundamental aspect is being preserved.
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