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Walter de' Silva cites Audi's new A5 as "the most beautiful car I've ever penned".
De'Silva, an Italian, is of course one of the most renowned car designers in the world and is the current design chief at Volkswagen Group which also owns Audi. He gave us emotional designs like the Alfa Romeo 147 and 156, as well as recent Audis like the R8, Q7 and TT.
Based on this claim, the A5 and its performance equivalent, the S5, must be a real looker then.
De'Silva, an Italian, is of course one of the most renowned car designers in the world and is the current design chief at Volkswagen Group which also owns Audi. He gave us emotional designs like the Alfa Romeo 147 and 156, as well as recent Audis like the R8, Q7 and TT.
Based on this claim, the A5 and its performance equivalent, the S5, must be a real looker then.
Exterior
Style is of absolute priority when it comes to coupes, and the A5 oozes it from all angles - the A5's proportions are just about spot on for a four-seater coupe. The aggressive nose is compounded by its low-slung side profile, with prominent creases and feature lines dominating the flanks.
The wide and low stance makes the A5 look powerful and muscular as well. There are many traditional Audi design touches throughout the car's exterior - like the single-frame radiator grille and those slim, rectangular headlamps. The latter also incorporates a stylish-looking LED daytime running lights, ala the R8.
To tell the hot S5 apart from the A5, Audi gave it a more stylish touch by giving the S5 silver egg crate inserts on the front grille, a deeper front and rear bumper, trademark aluminium-coloured wing mirrors, quad exhaust outlets, 19-inch double spoke alloys, V8 badges along the flanks and a very discreet boot lid spoiler.
Style is of absolute priority when it comes to coupes, and the A5 oozes it from all angles - the A5's proportions are just about spot on for a four-seater coupe. The aggressive nose is compounded by its low-slung side profile, with prominent creases and feature lines dominating the flanks.
The wide and low stance makes the A5 look powerful and muscular as well. There are many traditional Audi design touches throughout the car's exterior - like the single-frame radiator grille and those slim, rectangular headlamps. The latter also incorporates a stylish-looking LED daytime running lights, ala the R8.
To tell the hot S5 apart from the A5, Audi gave it a more stylish touch by giving the S5 silver egg crate inserts on the front grille, a deeper front and rear bumper, trademark aluminium-coloured wing mirrors, quad exhaust outlets, 19-inch double spoke alloys, V8 badges along the flanks and a very discreet boot lid spoiler.
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Equipment
Level of standard equipment is, dare we say, unmatched among its rivals. The S5 is loaded with sat nav, cruise control, bi-Xenon headlamps, full MMI system and a very impressive high-end Bang & Olufsen stereo with DAB broadcast among other stuff.
Other than quattro all-wheel drive, the S5's arsenal of active safety kit include an ESP system which encompasses the functions of the ABS, hydraulic brake assist, electronic differential lock and traction control. Uniquely, another ESP function includes the cleaning of the brake's discs when the car is driven in the rain.
Passive safety features include an ultra rigid and strong body shell, as well as a plethora of airbags throughout the interior.
Level of standard equipment is, dare we say, unmatched among its rivals. The S5 is loaded with sat nav, cruise control, bi-Xenon headlamps, full MMI system and a very impressive high-end Bang & Olufsen stereo with DAB broadcast among other stuff.
Other than quattro all-wheel drive, the S5's arsenal of active safety kit include an ESP system which encompasses the functions of the ABS, hydraulic brake assist, electronic differential lock and traction control. Uniquely, another ESP function includes the cleaning of the brake's discs when the car is driven in the rain.
Passive safety features include an ultra rigid and strong body shell, as well as a plethora of airbags throughout the interior.
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Technically Speaking
The heart of the S5 is a 4.2-litre V8 that makes a mind-blowing 350bhp and 440Nm. This V8 is based on the one found in the A8 rather than the high revving 420bhp bent eight that the R8 and RS4 shares.
Now, although the S5's unit is down by some 70bhp as compared to the RS4, it never feels that much of a deficit. Performance still remains blistering - Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just under five and a half seconds. Right from the start, the S5 will accelerate off the line cleanly with a crescendo of V8 soundtrack in the background...
The six-speed automatic gearbox does a great job of transferring power to the wheels. Not only that, it will even blip the throttle aggressively on down shifts in manual mode or when Drive Select is set to Dynamic.
The heart of the S5 is a 4.2-litre V8 that makes a mind-blowing 350bhp and 440Nm. This V8 is based on the one found in the A8 rather than the high revving 420bhp bent eight that the R8 and RS4 shares.
Now, although the S5's unit is down by some 70bhp as compared to the RS4, it never feels that much of a deficit. Performance still remains blistering - Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just under five and a half seconds. Right from the start, the S5 will accelerate off the line cleanly with a crescendo of V8 soundtrack in the background...
The six-speed automatic gearbox does a great job of transferring power to the wheels. Not only that, it will even blip the throttle aggressively on down shifts in manual mode or when Drive Select is set to Dynamic.
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Ride & handling
What's interesting here is in this new platform, Audi decided to use aluminium for most of the suspension components to reduce unsprung weight and improve driving dynamics. Not only that, the location of the new steering rack has been moved forward to the front axle, for a better steering feel.
Audi Drive Select is a standard feature. In Comfort mode, the ride is surprisingly pliant and comfortable despite the 19-inch wheels and low profile rubber. Its suspension feels taut enough even in this mode, but to inspire even more confidence and cornering capabilities, the Drive Select should be set to Dynamic mode - in this sportiest mode, body movements are even less pronounced and the S5 corners rather flatly through fast sweepers. The steering also firms up a tad, the gearbox more responsive and the throttle sharpens for more "attacks".
Quattro all-wheel drive will ensure all of the engine's 350 horses will be laid down cleanly onto the tarmac. Other than improving traction out of bends, quattro also ensures better stability, especially when braking from high speeds. The system's self-locking centre differential distributes 40 percent of engine power to the front wheels with 60 percent to the rear in normal circumstances, but this can be adjusted automatically to the driving and grip conditions.
What's interesting here is in this new platform, Audi decided to use aluminium for most of the suspension components to reduce unsprung weight and improve driving dynamics. Not only that, the location of the new steering rack has been moved forward to the front axle, for a better steering feel.
Audi Drive Select is a standard feature. In Comfort mode, the ride is surprisingly pliant and comfortable despite the 19-inch wheels and low profile rubber. Its suspension feels taut enough even in this mode, but to inspire even more confidence and cornering capabilities, the Drive Select should be set to Dynamic mode - in this sportiest mode, body movements are even less pronounced and the S5 corners rather flatly through fast sweepers. The steering also firms up a tad, the gearbox more responsive and the throttle sharpens for more "attacks".
Quattro all-wheel drive will ensure all of the engine's 350 horses will be laid down cleanly onto the tarmac. Other than improving traction out of bends, quattro also ensures better stability, especially when braking from high speeds. The system's self-locking centre differential distributes 40 percent of engine power to the front wheels with 60 percent to the rear in normal circumstances, but this can be adjusted automatically to the driving and grip conditions.
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Conclusion
For $245,000, you do get a lot for that amount with the S5. Naturally, the S5's closest rival is a model from Munich - the BMW 335i. Although the latter is within a few grand of the S5 in terms of price, but equipment and performance wise, it isn't as well equipped. Plus the BMW has two less cylinders and a pair of driveshaft lesser.
As good the BMW 335i may be, but it is outgunned by the S5 in almost every other area. So when it comes to mid-sized premium coupes, we are looking at a new class leader - in the form of the Audi S5.
For $245,000, you do get a lot for that amount with the S5. Naturally, the S5's closest rival is a model from Munich - the BMW 335i. Although the latter is within a few grand of the S5 in terms of price, but equipment and performance wise, it isn't as well equipped. Plus the BMW has two less cylinders and a pair of driveshaft lesser.
As good the BMW 335i may be, but it is outgunned by the S5 in almost every other area. So when it comes to mid-sized premium coupes, we are looking at a new class leader - in the form of the Audi S5.
Specifications
Engine: 4,163cc, 8-cylinders in-vee, DOHC
Power: 350bhp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 440Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with manual selection mode
Length / Width / Height: 4635mm/1854mm/1369mm
Wheelbase: 2751mm
0-100km/h: 5.4 seconds
Engine: 4,163cc, 8-cylinders in-vee, DOHC
Power: 350bhp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 440Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with manual selection mode
Length / Width / Height: 4635mm/1854mm/1369mm
Wheelbase: 2751mm
0-100km/h: 5.4 seconds
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