Whether it's the elegant A5, the sportier S5 or track-tuned RS5, there’s plenty of room for modifications in these Audi cars.
With the proper tweaks, the driving dynamics can be elevated up to a top-notch experience while improving its exterior presence (and feel), all without losing Audi’s OEM+ allure.
In this article we’re going to look at the best Audi A5, S5 & RS5 mods available, focusing on exterior upgrades and performance options that enhance your car.
These are the kinds of changes that help lift the B8 platform, B8, B8.5, and B9 generations with tasteful yet functional products that balance performance and style.
Before we get stuck in, GCA stock all of the parts mentioned throughout this blog for each model of A5, find more here:
- 2008-2012 B8 Audi A5/S5/RS5
- 2013-2017 B8.5 Audi A5/S5/RS5
- 2018-2019 B9 Audi A5/S5/RS5
- 2020+ B9.5 Audi A5/S5/RS5
Exterior Mods for Audi A5, S5, RS5
Audi’s base model cars all look strong and powerful straight from the factory, but the right upgrades on the exterior can totally transform the look and character of your car.
Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps
Carbon fiber mirror caps are often considered one of the most sought-after exterior upgrades for the A5, S5, and RS5, with good reason. They give the car an immediate, modern side profile, and the contrast with lighter colors is superb.
This option is especially nice on cars with black optic packages, tying in all the other dark exterior features such as window trim and grilles. Carbon mirror caps are understated for use every day, but still snappier to make the car feel sportier.
Carbon Fiber Front Lip & Splitters
A carbon fiber front lip or splitter is one of the best upgrades you can do to give the A5, S5, or RS5 a more aggressive look up front. These elements create visual depth to the lower bumper and, in turn, make the car look wider and more grounded.
Especially on B9 models, a front lip helps carry over the sharper factory body lines and adds a sportier touch to the aesthetics without being overwhelming. When combined with other carbon fiber trim, this mod provides the factory-inspired performance appearance.
Carbon Fiber Side Skirts
The side skirts are responsible for bringing the front and back of the car closer together visually. Carbon fiber side skirt extensions also further enhance the side profile of the car and make it look even more grounded from any point.
This is a popular Audi S5 and RS5 mod, giving the car aggressive front and rear styling without garish body lines. Audi RS5 carbon fiber side skirts are very effective when combined with a lowered suspension configuration as well as other carbon fiber trims like a front lip or diffuser.
Rear Diffusers for A5, S5, RS5
A rear diffuser is one of the most aesthetically pleasing Audi A5 mods and performance-enhancing upgrades you can add to your A5, S5 or RS5. It gives structure and depth to the rear bumper while helping to focus on the car’s width.
Rear diffusers for RS5 are equipped to draw focus towards the factory exhaust configuration and add presence to the aggressive rear of the car. On A5 and S5 models, an aggressively styled diffuser offers some much-needed performance styling that helps take the car to another level over stock trims.
Spoilers
A rear spoiler is an affordable and stylish choice to add to the rear end of your car, as they complement the car’s lines and give your car more depth.
With so many different options and styles available, they’re arguably one of the most popular upgrades you can make to your Audi A5.
GCA stock a range of spoilers for the Audi A5/S5/RS5 models including:
- Carbon fiber options
- Ducktail spoilers
- Renntech style
- Gloss back lip spoilers
Front Grilles
The front end of the Audi A5, S5, and RS5 is where the car’s personality really shows, and a grille upgrade is one of the fastest ways to sharpen that look. A honeycomb grille is widely considered the go-to exterior mod for these models, as it instantly gives the car a more aggressive, RS-inspired presence without feeling overdone.
These Audi A5 grilles work especially well across the B8/B8.5 and B9/B9.5 A5 and S5 platforms, where the front end already has strong lines but benefits from added contrast and texture.
A high-quality GCA honeycomb grille offers:
-
A true RS-style front end, giving the car a more aggressive and performance-focused appearance
-
Improved airflow to the radiator and cooling components
-
A cleaner, more modern look compared to factory grille designs
- Plug-and-play fitment, using OEM mounting points for straightforward installation
Performance Mods for Audi A5 / S5 / RS5
The A5 and its near twins are fantastic platforms for modding - both inside out. Of course, aesthetics aside, performance alterations are where the A5, S5 & RS5 platforms really excel.
With Audi's turbocharged power hood and sturdy chassis, they make an excellent base for tuning, with the ability to produce serious horsepower gains that push well beyond factory limits.
Here are some of our favourite modifications for these cars.
Valved Exhaust Systems
A valved sport exhaust completely changes how your Audi A5, S5, or RS5 feels behind the wheel. With the push of a button, you can open or close the valves, letting you switch effortlessly between a refined, near-stock sound for daily driving and an aggressive, performance-focused tone when you want the car to come alive.
A quality valved exhaust system delivers:
-
On-demand sound control, from subtle to aggressive
-
Improved exhaust flow, helping the engine breathe more efficiently
-
A deeper, more refined tone compared to factory systems
- OEM-style fitment, designed to bolt on cleanly without compromises
If you’re chasing a mod that enhances both driving enjoyment and everyday usability, a valved sport exhaust is one of the most rewarding upgrades you can make to an A5, S5, or RS5.
Downpipes
For those of you with a B8 Audi S5 that comes equipped with the 4.2L V8, upgrading RS4/RS5 front race downpipes are one of the most efficient ways to allow your vehicle to breathe efficiently and produce more power.
These Audi S5 downpipes increase the diameter of both exhaust pipes directly after the manifold, which improves flow and increases engine response by allowing the naturally aspirated motor to breathe more easily.
These, and any other downpipes for the Audi A5/S5/RS5 models, provide the most direct path for exhaust flow, allowing the engine to produce more horsepower and torque, minimize back pressure, and amplify those wonderful V8 sounds.
Made from strong stainless steel, downpipes are designed to tolerate high heat and resist corrosion for years of reliable use.
Intercoolers
Heat is absolutely the enemy of turbocharged engines; A5/S5/RS5 are no exception. A higher performance A4/A5 intercooler is essential for better, consistent power, especially in spirited driving conditions or repeated boost.
Intercoolers are designed with a larger overall core volume to provide a significant cooling capacity for the turbocharged engine. With cooler charge air, the engine’s ECU can adjust for consistent power output, without pulling timing due to soaking of the heat.
High-flow Air Intakes
For Audi owners, a high-flow intake is one of the most ideal bolt-on performance products you can buy. Intakes are designed to supplement the engine with smoother, cooler air for easier breathing.
The modified intake routing contributes to improved throttle response and a stronger low/mid-range engine output feel while also producing a satisfying response when you press the accelerator.
Unlike common intake systems, which draw in air that is then mixed with the fuel, GCA systems carefully control "resistance of velocity", allowing free-flowing combustion to take place inside the chamber.
Final Thoughts on Audi A5, S5 & RS5 Mods
The Audi A5, S5 and RS5 can be customized in many ways. Modifications can range from minimal carbon fiber touches to solid power gains. The most successful mod upgrades enhance the look and improve the overall driving experience of the car.
Select the right mix of exterior mods and quality performance upgrades, and you can achieve a car that looks slick, drives sharper than stock, and feels special, no matter if it’s an A5, S5 or RS5.
