A completely new model, the Audi S5 is the top of the 5 Series, which is filled out with the A5 models. All look very similar, and provide good performance in a neat package. Stiff competition for the BMW 3 series coupe, but can it compete with the BMW 650i, Jaguar XK or Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG? Possibly.
In any event, the Audi S5 is a sleek looking coupe, with a front end reminiscent of the R8, and a semi-fastback roof line, and just discernible swept lines up and over the front and rear wheels. It is a smart looking car, and one that will blend in well at the country club. Like almost all Audi designs, the S5 and A5 are smart, balanced designs with some neat features, but there is nothing shocking, nothing very exciting about the shape.
V-8 power, 354 bhp
But what about performance? Well, Audi has picked its V-8 to give enough power to see off many competitors, although this is not the most powerful version of this superb engine. For the S5 it is rated at 354 bhp at 7,000 rpm, with 325 lb ft (440 Nm) torque at 3,500 rpm, against the 420 bhp of the RS4.
So it is not as fast as it might be, but still packs plenty of oomph, taking the S5 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, which is true supercar territory, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. This really puts it up with some heavy metal, although it is nowhere as quick as the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG, which has 480 bhp on tap from a massive 6.2 liter engine.
On the other hand, the straightline performance of the Audi A5 is slightly better than that of the BMW 650i and Jaguar XK, and up there with the likes of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Porsche 911 Carrera. Of course, both the Aston and the 911 win in the style stakes in different ways – the Aston for sheer beauty, and the 911 for the latest and best-looking version of that well-loved shape.
S5 has good looks, is fairly compact and practical
Looking for something different that still cuts the mustard? Well, the S5 could well be the answer. It looks good, and is not reminiscent of its competitors, and has a high level of equipment, yet is not too big nor too extreme. on the other hand, there is little to differente it from the A5.
Technically, it is more advanced than previous Audis. Like the A8 it has the engine a bit further back than the conventional Audi fore-and-aft engine layout, with the axle gears forward of the clutch, which reduced front overhang a bit. Pity it could not have been further back still, but that is not possible as some of the A5s have front-wheel drive.
Rear bias to quattro four-wheel drive system
The V-8 is coupled to a six-speed manual box in the S5. More important, Audi has adopted a front:rear torque split of 40:60% for the center differential. This means that in the normal state the car will not understeer strongly like the front-biased split of some Audi quattros. This means the car will handle nearer neutral, which is good.
New double wishbone suspension
Also new is the double-wishbone front suspension and trapezoidal multi-link rear suspension which will ensure good tracking and handling. Both are mounted on sub-frames with rubber mountings to reduce noise transmission from the road. Also, the rack and pinion steering gear is mounted forward of the front wheels which tends to give quicker response than the normal position. To save weight, most of the suspension links are aluminum. Overall, the S5 looks as if it should handle very well.
Surprisingly, although the new Audi TT has a body made up mostly of aluminum, the A5 is has a steel body, which is disappointing, but presumably results from the lower expected sales volume. The car is based on a modified version of an existing platform, presumably the A6.
Even so, thanks to weight saving by adopting tailored blanks – welded up panels that are thick where strength is needed and thin elsewhere - and the use of aluminum front fenders – the car is not too heavy at 3,590 lb (1,630 kg), which is quite a bit less than the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG or BMW 650i, but only 77 kb (35 kg) more than the Jaguar XK.
Overall, therefore, the S5 is a welcome addition to the sporty coupe sector. If you don't need that much power, but like the looks, and maybe want an auto box, then consider the A5. The car looks almost the same, and comes with a 3.2 liter 265 bhp V6 gasoline engine or a 240 bhp 3.0 liter 240 bhp diesel which gets to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, a little faster than the 3.2 liter job. Hmmmm.
