Is the AWD system in Audi A5 a Torsen type?

[VanPiper]

Audi A5's AWD is not a Torsen type. The current Audi A5 adopts the latest quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system, with the central differential integrated at the end of the transmission upgraded to the latest "crown gear" form. Introduction to AWD AWD refers to a form where the vehicle maintains four-wheel drive throughout the entire driving process, with the engine's output torque distributed to the front and rear wheels at a fixed ratio. This drive mode offers better off-road and handling performance but cannot adjust torque distribution based on road conditions and has higher fuel consumption. Advantages of the crown gear differential: It is compact and lightweight while having a higher power distribution ratio. The crown gear is also a purely mechanical structure, relying on the control of multi-plate clutches, offering a larger torque ratio adjustment range compared to the Torsen differential, and more flexible front and rear torque distribution.

[LeCooper]

I've been driving an older A5 for six years, and this issue really depends on the model year. Mine is a 2012 model, and the Torsen differential in the chassis provides exceptional grip when taking corners on rainy mountain roads. You can really feel the torque automatically distributing to the wheels with traction. Later, when I helped a friend pick up a 2019 model, I learned that Audi had already switched to an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch system. It works fine for high-speed driving in the rain, but lacks that mechanical feel. If you're buying a used older A5, the Torsen is indeed a classic, but you need to check if the differential oil seal is leaking. Maintenance is more troublesome than with the new system. The newer models are now called quattro ultra, with a lighter structure and better fuel efficiency, but car enthusiasts still prefer hunting down older cars with the Torsen system.

[Aaliyah]

As a journalist who frequently tests Audis, the quattro system deserves a detailed breakdown. Early A5 models indeed used a Torsen center differential - that pure mechanical locking sound during snow slope recoveries was particularly thrilling. After the 2017 facelift, all models switched to crown gear differentials, essentially an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch system that reacts faster while saving 8kg in weight. Daily driving shows little difference, but the old Torsen's durability remains an advantage in extreme off-roading. Owners can check the 10th digit of the VIN: C indicates 2008-2016 Torsen models, while G or later means the new system.

[MaryFitz]

I often deal with these types of four-wheel-drive issues in the Audi workshop. Torsen? The old A5 indeed had it, the mechanical structure is very reliable but not cheap to repair. I've handled dozens of Torsen differentials at the transmission connection point of A5s, with typical problems being aging driveshaft oil seals leading to leaks. The new models now use electronically controlled differentials, which are more flexible in terms of computer tuning but prone to false fault reports from sensors after wading through water. When buying a used car, always lift the chassis to check the differential housing shape: Torsen has a trapezoidal cast iron shell with cooling fins, while the new models feature an aluminum alloy square box with electrical connectors.

[DeEmma]

Having researched Audi's quattro system for over a decade. The first-generation A5 (2007-2016) equipped with the Torsen differential is truly iconic, utilizing worm gears to automatically distribute torque. During testing, we conducted a comparison on roller sets: the Torsen version was 0.8 seconds faster in single front-wheel escape scenarios than the new electronically controlled version. However, the new quattro ultra offers significant fuel efficiency advantages, with urban commuting consumption 1.5 liters lower. The purchasing advice is straightforward: choose the old Torsen for road trips, opt for the new quattro for city commuting, and always check the registration date on the green book for accuracy.