Unlike its prestigious German competitors BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Audi is the only brand that offers two separate line-ups of performance models. There's the RS range, Audi's equivalent of BMW's M and Mercedes-Benz's AMG cars.
And then there's the S line of performance cars. The S variants bridge the gap between Audi's regular models and the supercar slaying RS cars. Bar the Q3 and Q7 SUVs, R8 and A1, each Audi model range from the A3 to the A8 features an S model. Heck, even the Q5 SUV hasn't been spared the S treatment - Audi recently showed off the hot SQ5, powered by a BTDi twin turbo diesel V6 motor. There are also rumours that a S1 variant is in the works.
One of the most popular S models out there is the BMW 335i rivalling S5 Coupe. iously, the S5 Coupe was powered by a muscular 4.2-litre V8. With the recent facelift of the entire A5 range, Audi has shoehorned the S4, S5 Cabriolet and S5 Sportback's 3-litre supercharged V6 under the S5 Coupe's bonnet, thus downsizing its motor by more than 1,000cc.
The A5/S5's designer, Italian Walter de Silva labelled it as the most beautiful car he's ever penned. He is no young punk designer that has just started out mind you - he is the man responsible for timeless classics like the Alfa Romeo 156 and 147.
Exterior
The updated S5 can be instantly recognised by its highly revised front end which brings the coupe's looks more up to date with more contemporary Audi models like the A6. The redesigned single-frame grille features chamfered edges and has a more thrusting look while the headlamps feature a new shape and new LED daytime running lights that mimic the recently updated A4's.
And then there's the S line of performance cars. The S variants bridge the gap between Audi's regular models and the supercar slaying RS cars. Bar the Q3 and Q7 SUVs, R8 and A1, each Audi model range from the A3 to the A8 features an S model. Heck, even the Q5 SUV hasn't been spared the S treatment - Audi recently showed off the hot SQ5, powered by a BTDi twin turbo diesel V6 motor. There are also rumours that a S1 variant is in the works.
One of the most popular S models out there is the BMW 335i rivalling S5 Coupe. iously, the S5 Coupe was powered by a muscular 4.2-litre V8. With the recent facelift of the entire A5 range, Audi has shoehorned the S4, S5 Cabriolet and S5 Sportback's 3-litre supercharged V6 under the S5 Coupe's bonnet, thus downsizing its motor by more than 1,000cc.
The A5/S5's designer, Italian Walter de Silva labelled it as the most beautiful car he's ever penned. He is no young punk designer that has just started out mind you - he is the man responsible for timeless classics like the Alfa Romeo 156 and 147.
Exterior
The updated S5 can be instantly recognised by its highly revised front end which brings the coupe's looks more up to date with more contemporary Audi models like the A6. The redesigned single-frame grille features chamfered edges and has a more thrusting look while the headlamps feature a new shape and new LED daytime running lights that mimic the recently updated A4's.
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The changes are less obvious at the rear - the new model sports just new tail lamps.
As previously, the S5 is differentiated from lesser A5s by a deeper front spoiler and the S5 badge on the signature 'S' metallic grey egg crate style grille inserts.
Along the flanks, the S5 is distinguished by the V6T badges that replace the V8 ones on the old car, deeper skirts and the aluminium look door mirrors. At the rear, the S5 sports a lower bumper in metallic grey as well as the signature 'S' quad exhaust tips.
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With its new front fascia, the S5 boasts an air modernity that its predecessor lacked. It's a great looking car, the S5. When it comes to looks, most would pick it over an equivalent two-door 3 Series.
When it comes to looks, the S5 doesn't lose out to the BMW 3 Series
Interior
Inside, the S5 offers an unparalleled ambience among cars in its class. The interior just oozes class and quality that is as good as it can be for a mass produced model. The S5 offers a highly supportive drivers' bucket seat that is electrically adjustable as well as bespoke gauges with a speedo that reads to an optimistic 300km/h. The updated car features some minor changes to the ergonomics and interface for the MMI system as well as some minor trim updates.
When it comes to looks, the S5 doesn't lose out to the BMW 3 Series Interior
Inside, the S5 offers an unparalleled ambience among cars in its class. The interior just oozes class and quality that is as good as it can be for a mass produced model. The S5 offers a highly supportive drivers' bucket seat that is electrically adjustable as well as bespoke gauges with a speedo that reads to an optimistic 300km/h. The updated car features some minor changes to the ergonomics and interface for the MMI system as well as some minor trim updates.
Unlike the TT, this is a true four-seater coupe so there's more than enough head and legroom for two full sized adults to fit comfortably for a long journey. The boot is also well sized for overnight bags and the obligatory golf set.
Unlike the TT, there is sufficient head and legroom for rear occupants
The Drive
As with the rest of Audi's S models, the S5 is equipped with quattro all-wheel drive to fully deploy the engine's grunt onto the tarmac. Through corners, the S5 feels surefooted and balanced. Both the chassis and 19-inch tyres offer high levels of grip while traction out of corners is never a problem. Should anything turns pear shaped, there is the standard fit ESP to hopefully save the situation.
Unlike the TT, there is sufficient head and legroom for rear occupants The Drive
As with the rest of Audi's S models, the S5 is equipped with quattro all-wheel drive to fully deploy the engine's grunt onto the tarmac. Through corners, the S5 feels surefooted and balanced. Both the chassis and 19-inch tyres offer high levels of grip while traction out of corners is never a problem. Should anything turns pear shaped, there is the standard fit ESP to hopefully save the situation.
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Like the recently updated A4 models, the S5 features a new electro-mechanical steering system that not only saves fuel but also feel more direct than the rack in the old car. Also standard on the S5 is Audi's Drive Select.
From inside the car, the driver can select between Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual modes to alter the settings for throttle response, gearbox shift points, steering assistance and ratio, as well as the electronically controlled dampers. The updated model features an additional 'Efficiency' mode for its Drive Select. In this mode, the car's systems are optimised to further save fuel.
The ride is comfortable and pliant with Drive Select set to Comfort. This is one coupe that you can cruise at speed on the highway whole day and still feel fresh and relaxed at the end of the drive.
As previously mentioned, the biggest change on the updated S5 is underneath the bonnet where the previous 350bhp 4.2-litre V8 makes way for a smaller and slightly less powerful 3-litre supercharged V6. With 333bhp on tap, the new V6 is 17bhp down on power when compared to the previous V8. When it comes to pulling power though, the new model's 440Nm is an exact match to the old 4.2-litre V8's peak output.
Although it revs freely to its red line, the S5's V6 is all about torque - bucket loads of it from just above idling speed. This engine will effortlessly pull from just over 1500rpm all the way to its red line. From rest, the new S5 coupe will reach 100km/h in a highly impressive 4.9 seconds, a time that is half a second quicker than its V8-powered predecessor. Although it doesn't sound as muscular as the old car's V8, the new model's V6 makes quite an angry sounding roar when worked hard.
From inside the car, the driver can select between Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual modes to alter the settings for throttle response, gearbox shift points, steering assistance and ratio, as well as the electronically controlled dampers. The updated model features an additional 'Efficiency' mode for its Drive Select. In this mode, the car's systems are optimised to further save fuel.
The ride is comfortable and pliant with Drive Select set to Comfort. This is one coupe that you can cruise at speed on the highway whole day and still feel fresh and relaxed at the end of the drive.
As previously mentioned, the biggest change on the updated S5 is underneath the bonnet where the previous 350bhp 4.2-litre V8 makes way for a smaller and slightly less powerful 3-litre supercharged V6. With 333bhp on tap, the new V6 is 17bhp down on power when compared to the previous V8. When it comes to pulling power though, the new model's 440Nm is an exact match to the old 4.2-litre V8's peak output.
Although it revs freely to its red line, the S5's V6 is all about torque - bucket loads of it from just above idling speed. This engine will effortlessly pull from just over 1500rpm all the way to its red line. From rest, the new S5 coupe will reach 100km/h in a highly impressive 4.9 seconds, a time that is half a second quicker than its V8-powered predecessor. Although it doesn't sound as muscular as the old car's V8, the new model's V6 makes quite an angry sounding roar when worked hard.
Despite having a smaller engine, this 3.0-litre V6 powerplant is potent On the transmission front, the old car's six-speed torque converter auto makes way for one of Audi's famed seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch boxes. Needless to say, the new box is far more efficient and quicker shifting than the old set-up.
Conclusion
The two-door S5 not only performs better than previously but also sips less fuel and emits less CO2, thanks to the downsized engine, more efficient gearbox as well as a start-stop system.
So it seems that the updated S5 has many things going for it. Despite the smaller and more fuel economical engine, the new model is faster than previously while its looks have been brought up to date with the rest of the Audi range.
