For 2008 Audi has created a top-flight sports coupe in the A5, but they couldn’t leave well enough alone. Oh no, they created a super coupe, a car that starts where the A5 ends. That in no way disparages the A5 as it’s a very crisp and well engineered ride, but the S5 offers more. If you’re not familiar with the A5 and its S5 variant, that’s because they are all new for 2008.
Think of the S5 as the equivalent of an AMG’d Mercedes-Benz coupe. AMG as you may recall is Mercedes-Benz’s in-house performance operation that takes standard M-B product and juices it up.
Audi does the same “performance massaging” with its “S” versions. The most noticeable enhancements to the A5 include a powerful V-8 FSI engine, reworked suspension, interior and exterior changes along with exclusive luxury and convenience items.
One upping the competition is Audi’s formidable combination of a high tech V-8 and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Additionally the specially tuned sports suspension and high-performance brakes make this car a joy to fling around.
The S5’s 4.2-liter V-8 pumps out a very healthy rated power output of 354 horsepower. Its peak torque is 325 pound-feet, delivered at just 3,500 rpm. You reach the end of the block (0-60) in a scant 5.1 seconds. But you really have to take this car for a drive and LISTEN to the wonderful sounds the engine generates. Numbers on paper can’t do justice to the free-revving character, the “right there” response, or the continuous power build-up along with the great sound this engine produces. From the moment you engage the clutch, freeing the captive power pent up in the engine, you are basically trying to keep this aggressive but well-dressed beast on its best behavior.
The six-speed manual gearbox was somewhat disappointing as it was not as fluid as previous Audi units I’ve tested. The throws were long, and I didn’t like the reverse gear being located were first gear should be.
The interior design of the S5 is all business. The sport seats, sport steering wheel, instruments with grey dials and aluminum doorsill plates provide a dynamic and refined atmosphere. The seats are highly conforming while the rears are highly confining. Aside from the seats, my only other gripe is with the Multi Media Interface (MMI). This system requires you to flip through too many screens, and you have to take your eyes off the road and a hand off the wheel to twist a dial to pass through the radio, HVAC and nav system to activate. Additionally I was surprised that the tilt/telescopic steering column did not come with any power assist. Standard equipment includes a sunroof, leather upholstery, three-zone climate control and high power audio system.
When Audi set about to make this performance dessert, they clearly had the S5 chefs in the kitchen. Unlike some performance versions of cars that look “tarted up,” the S5 designers took all the great lines and style of the A5 coupe and accented them to look like a finely sculpted athlete in a tux … with track shoes.
The nose proudly brandishes the Audi S model grille bathed in platinum grey and fitted with vertical chrome inlays. The front and rear bumpers have a more cut outline, and the flanking air inlet grilles look as if they could suck in a small dog. The aluminum-look exterior mirror housings dressed up the test car very nicely as did the color-keyed door sill trim and the simulated dual exhaust system that peeked out just under the rear bumper with four oval tailpipes.
The “S” exterior enhancements are more than gingerbread as they do have some functionality beyond turning heads. The rear spoiler catches more than second looks as it corrals air moving over the top surface of the car to produce more aerodynamic downforce. The S5 coupe adds 19-inch wheels with the new S design and 255/35 R 19 tires. The bigger tires put down a grippy and authoritative footprint that gnaws at the pavement via all-wheel drive quattro. On the road quattro provided excellent traction with variable torque distribution from its base setting of 40 percent to the front and 60 percent to the rear axle. You don’t even know the system is working -- you just keep moving. Within a fraction of a second, the dynamic drivetrain system adapts to whatever driving conditions are present and constantly delivers the optimal distribution of drive torque.
Putting this system to use, like when you’re slicing through a flat bend in the road, yields satisfying results. As you exit the corner, steering input is minimal, and just a slight adjustment is all it takes to make the transition. The S5’s sports suspension is tweaked to carry the coupe’s performance with particularly dynamic handling. The role the suspension played in communicating with me made me feel like I was driving a purpose-engineered racer. All this was going on during a cold but dry spell so imagine the possibilities when the weather improves.
Additionally this car has special high-performance brakes that provided firm, straight and short stopping distances. Should you wish to prove your driving mettle, the ESP electronic stabilization program can be deactivated in two stages to really give this car a go. Most drivers will give up before the car does.
For some reason Audi is not universally accepted as a tier-one premium luxury brand. I’ve spoken with some shoppers who looked at me quizzically when I mention Audi. I personally view Audis as slightly under-priced compared to similar offerings from BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar. Savvy buyers should take note of equipment levels and performance, then glance at the sticker. The cost for my test coupe checked in at $56,665. This price included the Technology Package with the rear back up camera, the NAVI package with music interface, gas-guzzler charge and destination.
It will be interesting to see if Audi can finally convince all the skeptics out there that they can run with the “cool kids.” This year he new R8 super coupe and high-revving “S” versions should cement Audi’s status as a true tier-one luxury car manufacturer.
DriveLive around Chicago in a VW Eos
