Audi S5: Add in a V8 with Some Bad Attitude

The mild mannered svelte A5 Coupe transforms into the menacing S5. Setting the Audi apart from the premium coupe segment is a distinctively delicious shape and high-style that puts the S5 on another level.

It’s been a long time coming, but Audi’s new A5 Coupe is a stunner – inside and out. Its graceful, muscular lines grab attention, whether it’s parked or in motion.

Credit has to be given to Audi’s stylists for coming up with a shape that is elegant yet powerful. While Audi’s main competitors, BMW and Mercedes, have had the premium coupe market to themselves for quite a while, they now have to content with the newly minted S5. The S5 is the bad boy version of the A5 Coupe. A5s come standard with a 3.2-litre direct injection V6 engine, 6-speed manual tranny, and a standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system that has been the mainstay of Audi since the 80s. Audi is proud in its cars, which have won numerous racing awards, ranging from the World Rally Championship, to road racing competitions.

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Moving up to the S5, which is an additional $14,000 climb, nets you a potent 4.2-litre V8 motor, an extra 89 horsepower, and 82 pounds of additional torque. Just so the folks around you are also aware that this is not your average A5 Coupe, the S5 exterior gets some added cosmetic pieces like the aluminum look exterior mirrors, quad exhaust tail pipes, larger multi-spoke 19-inch wheels on sticky low profile 255/35 summer tires, and awesome-looking LED daytime running lamps. There’s also the unique “S” front grille and badging to further set the model apart.

With the bellowing V8 muscle under the hood, and the six-speed manual transmission red-lining the lower gears, zipping to 60 miles an hour from a standstill can be accomplished within the five-second range. Acceleration numbers like these are already mighty impressive, but when compared to the trio of killers from Mercedes AMG models, BMW’s M series, and the newly released Lexus IS-F bombshell, Audi’s S5 needs more beans under the hood. Those guys will pretty much walk away in the acceleration game, able to clock 60 miles an hour closer to the four-second range, and blow the quarter-mile into oblivion! Bragging rights in this performance realm comes into major play at cocktail soirées. Of course, when the road turns twisty, and the weather goes sideways, the S5’s Quattro all-wheel-drive will then become a distinct advantage by providing the confidence and all-weather high-performance capability that it’s renowned for, and then leave the AMG, M-Series, and IS-F looking at the rapidly diminishing Audi’s tail lamps!

Adding to the roster of performance goodies are highly capable large diameter disc brakes with the assistance of the latest electronic stability software to help keep the S5 controlled when playing in the extremes.

Another area where the S5 sets itself apart from the others is in interior design. Inside, the cabin with seating for four is extremely inviting and attractive, with an upscale aura about it. Trimmed in fine leather, the S5 specific sport seats, steering wheel and other features feel luxurious to the touch. There’s also a choice of selecting the highly recommended suede-like Alcantara leather combination for the seats, or the silk Nappa leather. Besides boasting high-performance on the engine front, the S5’s cabin also boasts a high performance, 505-watt, 14-speaker, Bang & Olufsen premium surround sound system that you’d have to hear to believe. Being the premium sports model, the S5 boasts a generous list of upmarket amenities and conveniences that are expected in this class. Overall, the Audi Coupe does have a decided advantage over the other premium brands when it comes to interior quality and design. www.audi.ca

AUDI S5 SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 354-horsepower 4.2-litre DOHC 32-valve V8 Variable Valve Timing
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Drivetrain: Quattro All-wheel-drive
Suspension: Independent Multi Link Front & Rear
Brakes: 4-wheel disc with ABS, Stability Control System
Price: $68,800