Period.

Though lots of people just want a BMW badge, I find the Audi S5 beautiful. The V8 engine makes me drool.

I like Audi A5/S5 for another odd reason : quattro and the four circles. With Black/black configuration, the Audi can be compared to Tidus in Final Fantasy X.

Did you say 3737 lbs?? With the stick? Can’t imagine motivating its fat ass around corners with a full tank o’gas and my enlarged gluts. I’m quite amazed it can move that fast. Almost like driving the porky Challenger.

Not seeing a ‘vagina’ there, but these new Audis with the dying fish gasping for air look has sunk to a new low with the addition of the catfish whiskers. So what, get in and drive? The sucking mouth is also replicated on the dang steering wheel hub!

This is a car in search of an engine and gearbox. In a class of G37s and 335is, the 3.2 simply does not have enough power. My ‘04 2.7T S-line (based on ye olde Audi 2.8) has the same horsepower lower in the rev range and stomps the 3.2 in torque. I’ve got 280ft.lbs at 1800rpm.

Gotta agree with you there Davekaybsc. I have the ‘04 A6 2.7T S-Line as well and its hella fast. It’s one of those cars that just got everything right. Fast, if not faster (especially at the low rpm range) than the current A6, C5 looks (no large-mouth bass grill) and, for enthusiasts, VERY mod-friendly. Funny how some manufacturers can’t replicate past successes. The ‘04 A6 S-Line and E39 M5 come to my mind of cars that just nailed it and have not really been topped yet.

As our famous leader once said ” you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig..”

Enuf said.

Big Miles

I think the review is spot on about the A5 just not being comfortable in its own skin.

The “feminine” part is the best thing about it.
They need to make one in that great pink that a TT was painted in. (google pink Audi TT)
The eyeliner part is a great idea, changing colors LEDs, yes.
Americans can’t stick with the Italians

No problems — not that there should be with a car that is so new. It has been a good commuter car.

My car does not have the S-line package.

I find the engine and shifter good, but not great. The 2.7 turbo six would have been a better engine for the car. If the car becomes available with the 3.0 supercharged engine from the A6, I would probably trade for it.

I love the looks of the car including the front end. No modern automobile designer can hold a candle to Walter DeSilva of VW/Audi.

I drove the 335xi and its engine is wonderful. I just couldn’t get over the looks of the car.

Other than the 8 series, there has been no BMW in the last 20 years that I have found the least bit attractive.

I drove an A5 recently and a new A4 6-speed and I have to say, I found the manual transmission to be quite good. Not M3 good, but very good, smooth and precise.

As to the 3.2 V6, I do agree – it’s getting very long in the tooth compared to what else is out there. I’m very interested to try out the new 3.0T (supercharged 6) that they’re dropping into the new S4, the 2011 S5 (for America, the V8 stays for 2010) and a de-tuned version in the new facelifted A6. THis will be the sweet motor to own, methinks.

As to the ride and handling – I think it’s important to recognize what this car is as much as it is not: it’s a GT, so it’s a bit softer and a bit more relaxed. Perhaps with the upcoming A7, Audi will transition the A5/S5 into a more sports-tuned model and the A7 will take the GT crown?

Anyhow – for someone like me who doesn’t have time to track the car, wants something fun, gorgeous to sit in, pleasant to ride in for long distances and hot to look at, the A5 is a good pick…just *sigh*, too damned expensive.

What predecessors? What art?

This is my least favourite part of the car’s exterior. Maybe it’s because I’m a child of the eighties and grew on angles, but I don’t like swoops in sheet metal.

It’s not quite as gross as the similar line down the side of Hyundai Elantra sedan, but it wrecks an otherwise nice design. It’s quite striking otherwise.

Disagree with the assessment of the interior, though…it’s nice enough, but the styling and details say “Toyota” to me.

My vote for the nicest current interior would go to the Jaguar XF or Cadillac CTS. And neither are cursed with that MMI silliness.

Sephiroth just has this flawless, elegant approach to aggression. Even with the sword – which is long and graceful, unlike Cloud’s obtuse and club like weapon. An Audi should be like that – powerful and elegant. Not mawlike, obnoxious and ugly.

Anyway, straying off topic perhaps.

Oh and check this video gosh it is such an awesome anime if you’ve never seen it you are seriously out of touch
A-ko VS B-ko

354 horses yap must be so heavy that needs a lot of torque and HP.

The car is definitely a stunner of a looker. I think it will give the 3 Series coupe a run for its money.

A couple of things though, the car is big. I think its way too big relative to its interior. Yes I realize its a coupe but it has less room in it than my little A3. In general I think the car is too big for what it is. I wont be buying one anytime soon.

That being said I dont like the interior for several reasons. I dont like the dashboard in particular. It reminds me of a Buick for some reason with that wide rectangle. I much prefer the instrument pod by itself like in the previous generation. Also the ones that have wood in my opinion look tacky. It may be real but its looks like plastic and I really dont like the chrome edge around it. Like I said it reminds me of a Buick.

Also the backseat is useless. Really useless. I am 5′11″ and with the seat adjusted properly I am not sure who could sit back there.

At 50K its not particularly cheap but neither is the BMW coupe.

As for the driving, the S5 I drove on the track was quick. Easily as quick as some Porsche’s as I have driven. That being said it just not an exciting car to drive. Kind of muted and smooth. A perfect luxo cruiser if thats what you like. But if you are looking for that Porsche kind of excitement you are better off buying the Porsche.

I think carrying around a GIANT sword disqualifies Sephiroth as elegant ;)

great statement. Audi had a bit of understated class until they started adding all the bling. Most of their cars now lean decidedly toward the quido persuasion.”

That pretty much sums it up. I used to drive an Audi – it was my very first car. It was a silver grey fancy sedan. It was very understated and elegant – yet also had this hint of aggression about it. Now though… they are so blinged out and flame surfaced etc etc that it just isn’t the same. Huge ugly maw of the grille wars unfortunately very present there. One thing that is still incredible is the interior – it is just amazing. Audi seems to be trying to combine subtlety and bling and the results just don’t really look that good. Kind of like certain BMW’s. Thank god the Aughts are almost over. These cars are going to look so dated in just a few years. This huge gaping maw trend just needs to end. It looks so bad and so obnoxious – like a drooping beer gut or a hairy, bloated female private part after having 10 kids. I would never drive something that looks like that. It doesn’t even look aggressive really. An elegant grille full of razor sharp teeth would be aggressive.

I am sort of considering an Audi TTS or an S4 yet the grilles are such obnoxious bling now really. I like the look of the GTI 6 a lot more than anything from Audi right now. An Audi SHOULD be understated and beautiful like…. like… B-ko from Project A-ko. Or aggressive in an elegant way and loaded with power like … Sephiroth.

great statement. Audi had a bit of understated class until they started adding all the bling. Most of their cars now lean decidedly toward the quido persuasion.

Okay, now that I’ve done my duty by commenting on topic, I wanted to

second monaco’s request for a comparison review between ‘09 A4 Avant 2.0T and an ‘09 BMW 328 xDrive Wagon Touring.