25 Votes

Audi S5 : The Real Sports Coupé

mugenpower submitted on 11/16/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 9:20:12 PM

51 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: www.manualgear.com

Tag Links: AUDI, S5, V8, QUATTRO, AWD

On the Road:
When it comes to power and sound, Audi’s latest V8 is quite stunning.

The S5's has been further enhanced when compared to its older sisters the RS4 and R8, both phenomenal road devils. A little silent when throttled down, we hope one day Audi will unleash this engine's real voice.

Soft and agile, the S5’s V8 fascinates us with this power. Quattro Technology (4WD) transforms our car into a real missile with a precision provided only on high end sports cars like the RS4 and R8. Want proof? Try playing around with an S5 in the rain and you'll be surprise by living to talk about it! Yes M3, we have you in mind here!

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About the Author

— mugenpower (View Profile)

User Comments

The Audi S5 is not a sports coupe and was never designed to be a sports coupe. The Audi S5 was designed to be a striking grand-tourer with the straight-line speed typically founds in sports coupes, but it was never designed to handle as well as a BMW 335i.

Is there anything wrong with that formula? NO

What the S5 lacks in driving appeal it surely makes up for in terms of looks. The LEDs definitely grab more attention than the BMW rings. Yes, that maybe subjective but the S5 will clearly turn more heads than the 335i NO DOUBT.

The interior is pure class and ergonomic perfection.

The sound of the V8 makes the 335i's turbo V6 sound tiny.

If you want a true sports-coupe you will have to wait. That will be the upcoming RS5 and if Audi's S4 is any indication of what the new supercharged V6 can do for the A4 lineup, BTW that supercharged V6 is getting placed in the S5 instead of the existing V8, the RS5 will be a car every bit as capable and perhaps more so than BMW's M3.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/16/2008 10:27:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

You know whats impressive, the M3, Its nearly as quick as an R8 on track(iv seen many tests where it laps within 1 second of the r8). despite having a smaller engine, less torque, being able to seat 4 people, weighing slightly more and having narrower tires(despite the narrower tires iv seen the M3 do faster slalom speed the the R8, ex r&t). And it looks like a normal car not a spacecraft. I think i speaks volumes about the level of engineering BMW put into the M3's chassis and phenomenal motor.
— 911gt2 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 12:57:04 PM | | Votes: 5

"What the S5 lacks in driving appeal it surely makes up for in terms of looks. The LEDs definitely grab more attention than the BMW rings. Yes, that maybe subjective but the S5 will clearly turn more heads than the 335i NO DOUBT."

You should start that sentence with IN MY OPINION, b/c thats all it is.

— carcar3334 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 1:22:17 PM | | Votes: 7

The Audi V8 makes the BMW's turbo V6 sound "tiny"? What they hell is a "tiny" sound? Do you mean "tinny"? It doesn't even sound like that. The Audi V8 is nice, but the twin-turbo STRAIGHT six does not sound "tiny" or "tinny."
— gooch (View Profile)

Posted on 11/18/2008 11:08:24 AM | | Votes: 4

Really nice car, almost bought it over the 5 serie, but after I came to my senses, I realize AUDI just didn't have the same prestige as BMW.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 12:20:02 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

You buy cars for prestige? Wow...I'm very sorry you have to drive a BMW.
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 3:53:54 AM | | Votes: -4

my secretary drives a BMW, I'll make sure she sends over your fanclub kit.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 9:21:03 AM | | Votes: -2

That sounds awful. You "realized it didn't have the same prestige?" That's why you didn't buy it? I could understand you buying the 5 Series for the RWD, or the size, or even the speed/gas mileage compromise... but the prestige???

Even then, you're wrong. In wealthier areas the 5 Series is very ordinary. The S5 makes peoples' heads turn.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 12:20:12 PM | | Votes: -4

Ya why'd you buy a 5-series for prestige?

My poorest neighbors drive BMWs, many of them 5-series.

I'd rather drive a Genesis than a 5-er.
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 5:22:15 PM | | Votes: -5

"I disagree S4, I don't live in a particularly affluent area, but I see more A5's and S5's than I do TT's or A8's."

You say that as if the A8 and TT are common. The A5/S5 is a hotter seller than either, but compared to other luxury cars its numbers are miniscule--its peak so far was a little over 700 in one month.

"I don't think it particularly turns heads"

Who do you travel with? Whenever I'm with someone who isn't so knowledgeable about cars and we see an A5/S5, especially with the LEDs on, they think it's some exotic sports car. I'm not making it up. The car is stunning. Not to mention, Aston Martins have nothing to do with this. I see Bentley GTs all the time. But I was comparing the A5 to the 5 Series, which this person did. Which one do you think is more interesting to look at?

"also has a 135Ci in black, I don't see many 1er coupes, and I'm a fan, so I look out for them."

That's funny, because the 1 sells better than the A5. But you claim to see more A5s. Facts are facts.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 6:54:22 PM | | Votes: 0

Like I said, the S5 is a very nice car, it definately turn heads, until I realize it only turn the heads of gay guys and middle age rich chicks. The AUDI brand simply appeals to those demographic.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 11/18/2008 3:10:37 AM | | Votes: 3

if i wanted prestige, ill buy an Bentley GT or CL 6, if i wanted an coupe, the 6er or the S5 will do fine
— Denali (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 2:15:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

If you can afford a Bentley, why would you consider a 6er or S5? You must be low class mentalitied. How about a Maserati coupe, or a V12 Aston Martin Vantage coupe or a V12 Twin turbo CL coupe?
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 3:31:41 AM | | Votes: -4

...and yet you consider BMW prestigious. A 2 year-old 7-series can now be had for sub $40k.

Yup, less than a new loaded 328i.
— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 9:23:16 AM | | Votes: -3

"Mentalitied" -- I'm learning a new word every day here on Autospies.
— gooch (View Profile)

Posted on 11/18/2008 11:12:21 AM | | Votes: 1

I'm only continuing the American tradition of massacring the english language. Don't blame the player, blame the game.
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 11/18/2008 2:04:51 PM | | Votes: 1

Badgewhore you must live in Miami where your monthly lease payments are more than the rent on your shoebox of an apartment.

You would be the type that needs prestige to make the decision for you.

You are the classic case of the typical BMW buyer. All fake with no substance.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 7:07:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

+1
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 5:23:04 PM | | Votes: -3

Yes I am that classic case, I eat ramen noodles every day so I can make my lease payment so you'll never see me driving poor. What's your excuse?
— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 11/18/2008 12:31:45 AM | | Votes: 3

Like I said, the S5 was never designed to be a sports coupe. Audi doesn't design sports cars (except the R8). Audi designs luxurious grand tourers that can keep pace (actually outrun) their BMW counterparts in a straight-line.

This formula works just fine. Audi's sales are up 3.3% YTD globally meanwhile BMW and MB are both negative YTD globally.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 9:51:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8

CTS-V, and Z06? Why group those in their?
— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 11:23:45 AM | | Votes: 4

...make that, there not their...
— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 11:24:36 AM | | Votes: 1

Whatthe, I see the point you are trying to make. I just think the CTS V and the Z06 are much more performance oriented cars from an engineering standpoint than the SRT8 or the S5.

Btw, I'm a huge fan of the S5. If I'm looking for a 2 door performance car that will be my only car, I would want one as well rounded as the S5.
— golfer38 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 4:14:52 PM | | Votes: 1

Yes, pretty much except the interior is much nicer than any of those cars mentioned, the quality is much higher and with the upcoming DSG combined with the supercharged V6 it will outrun the 335i in the straights and around the track!

Like I said Audi designs grand-tourers but gives them the power and transmission necessary to go neck-and-neck with cars that were designed to be sports-coupes from the start like the 335i coupe.

The true best of both worlds.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 10:49:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -9

The 335 has had DSG available in Europe since July.
— bmwcs (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 12:34:12 PM | | Votes: 5

I never said the 335i didn't have DSG. What I did say was that Audi needs to place the supercharged V6 found in the S4 with the S-tronic in the S5 and the 335i is not going to have any chance in the straights or the twisties against a lighter, faster-shifting, and more fuel efficient S5.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 1:47:17 PM | | Votes: -3

Check Sport Auto's Supertest.

Nurburgring
S5 - 8:26
335i - 8:26

Hockenheim
S5 - 1:17.2
335i - 1:17.8

So on the tighter twistier track the S5 is actually faster.
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 11:46:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Fifth gear got the 335i to go faster, and on car and drivers lightning lap the 335i was 4 seconds faster.
— bmwm5v10 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 12:17:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

Why do valid statistics get deboosted? hm...

"Fifth gear got the 335i to go faster, and on car and drivers lightning lap the 335i was 4 seconds faster."

Also, fifth gear...very credible source. There was also a woman driving...
Lastly,

"An S audi vs. a base 335i. Horsepower is the only thing the audi has over the BMW. The M3 would kick it's..."

The RS5 will destroy an M3, as the RS4 did.
— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 5:27:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6

Dont' get ahead of yourself Whatthe(amazinBimmer). Audi is placing the supercharged V6 found in the upcoming S4 in the S5 and Audi is creating a 450 horsepower RS5 to take care of BMW's M3.

We all know the upcoming S4 is going to be faster than BMW's 335i. The S5 just needs the weight reduction which it will get and the 335i is a thing of the past.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 1:43:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

More like "Real sports Luxury coupe"? The S5 is too big and heavy to be anything else.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 3:45:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I agree, it's no sports car. It wasn't intended to be. Look to the R8 or TT-RS for that.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 6:56:23 PM | | Votes: 0

where's amazin, I miss him...
— aarononymous (View Profile)

Posted on 11/17/2008 9:07:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

"The RS5 will destroy an M3, as the RS4 did."

you wish jettaboy..the M3 smashes all audi line up expet the R8 (duhh..supercar).
— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 11/18/2008 3:37:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Yeah it should! seeing as the M3 was 3 years younger than the RS4.
The RS5 will be allot faster, Audi will make sure of that.
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 11/18/2008 11:58:49 AM | | Votes: 1

The M3 also smashes up the entire BMW lineup. It's just as fast as an M5 or M6, but way more fun.

You lose.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/19/2008 12:21:55 AM | | Votes: -1

"you lose"....??
— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 11/19/2008 2:51:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Audi S5 : The Real Sports Coupé

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