2008 Audi S5 Performance Review
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Performance - What the Auto Press Says
The S5's 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds is impressive. "But even those figures don't reveal the silkiness and captivating appeal of the S5's powertrain," says Car and Driver. Coupled with outstanding handling dynamics, the S5 is described as a winner.
Acceleration and Power
The 2008 Audi S5's 4.2-liter V8 engine receives universal praise. Capable of making 354 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm, the Detroit News says, "It's a strong, magnificent heart." Edmunds adds: "This long-stroke V8 doesn't have a very sexy reputation, yet it's brilliant in both character and performance. It pulls from very low rpm just like an American-built V8, and then it has another dimension of power that carries you to its 7,000-rpm redline."
According to the Detroit News, "When a new S5 driver asks, 'Really, I was going 98 mph?' or says, 'Yes, I knew I was going fast, but not that fast,' he will be telling the truth." Though top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, Audi claims that the S5 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds -- leading Car and Driver to write that the S5 "is a rocket..." Road and Track explains: "The S5 puts the power down with minimal drama, with 60 mph coming up in 4.8 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.3 sec. at 105.2 mph, a testament to the ability of the Quattro awd system to get the car up to speed quickly and efficiently."
While the S5's acceleration and power astound, its fuel consumption is disappointing. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the 2008 Audi S5 has a city/highway fuel economy of only 14/21 miles per gallon (mpg) -- "which means that buyers must pony up a $1,300 gas-guzzler tax," says the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. A critic for the Detroit News writes, "[A]s much as I admire the Audi, I could never, ever buy a car that gets 14/21 city/highway mileage."
The S5 comes equipped with a highly acclaimed standard six-speed manual transmission -- which the Detroit News says "is silky, clicking through each gear with short, fast throws." A reviewer for Road and Track explains: "The 6-speed manual has a smooth pedal take-up and the shift action and feel are spot-on when hurrying the car through the gears. At lower speeds, however, there was a slight notchiness I didn't notice when pressing the S5 hard." A six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission will be available in the spring of 2008.
Handling and Braking
Most agree the 2008 Audi S5 handles magnificently. "Handling is taut and squat-down sure," says the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "Fling the S5 into a tight corner and the tires on all four wheels bite hard, transmit the engine's power and follow the driver's steering inputs." Edmunds adds: "This coupe fits the way real Americans drive. It's meant to travel enormous distances at high speed, undeterred by the character of the road or the nature of the weather."
The 2008 S5 receives cautious praise for its Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering. "The steering effort of the Audi coupe's speed-sensitive system is a little light, and it's overmatched by the quick turn-in from the chassis and tires, yet the car's overall responsiveness inspires complete confidence," says Edmunds. Motor Trend adds, "The steering rack has been relocated for better feel, but there's still not a lot of road feel and kickback is conspicuous." Overall, however, Edmunds says, "Gone is the vague, on-center steering action that has characterized other Audi models." Instead, the Detroit News writes, "The steering is exact, even while accelerating through tight corners, and at high speeds, it's nicely weighted."
While the S5 features a five-link front suspension with upper and lower control arms, the rear suspension is a fully independent trapezoidal-link. Both, however, come equipped with a stabilizer bar, coil springs and gas charged shock absorbers. According to Detroit News, the S5's sport tuned suspension brings about "no kickback in the steering, no pavement twitters ... no jostling oscillations ... overall, the car feels like the fifth face carved in Mount Rushmore. Solid granite." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says the suspension "soaks up road imperfections so the ride is more comfortable than punishing." Edmunds explains: "As the sporting version of the Audi coupe, the S5 has had its suspension snubbed down to a fairly tight calibration, a measure to keep the inevitable torque reaction of all-wheel drive from disturbing your sense of command and control through the steering wheel."
Adding to the S5's performance appeal is its Quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, which increases overall traction by channeling 60 percent of the engine's power to the rear wheels. According to the Detroit News, the S5 "has the handling character of a proper rear-drive sport coupe. You can kick the rear end around with the throttle and not bog at the nose, which is more typical of all-wheel-drive cars."
The Audi S5's brake system is composed of ventilated discs in the front and discs in the rear, as well as an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist -- which reduces stopping distance by sensing emergency breaking and applying needed force. According to Motor Trend, "Stops from 60 mph take just 105 feet."
