First the A5...now the S5

[TheIntrepid]

Images of the Audi A5 have been traveling around the internet at light speed since they were discovered some time yesterday, but this afternoon five more images of the high performance S5 model showed up to steal the spotlight. According to the Audi experts at Fourtitude.com, the S5 will likely feature a version of the A5's 4.2L V8 with FSI, Audi's Valvelift technology and a corresponding bump in power. Clearly the styling has been tweaked to be more aggressive with a modified front fascia that includes the string of LED daytime running lights that have become trademark ware for these models. A strip of what appears to be polished aluminum now adorns both the center of the front chin spoiler and the bottom of the rear bumper where, out back, it's flanked by a pair of dual tailpipes. The interior also appears to gain additional silver and carbon fiber accent trim. Will this hotted up A5 have the cajones to take on the BMW M3 Coupe? That remains to be seen, but we're left a little underwhelmed by the subtle visual modifcations apparent in these pics.

Autoblog

[Colonel Cadillac]

I generally like how the S6 and S8 are relatively laid back in their styling, but in this example it could use a bit more of a "fast" look.

[Colonel Cadillac]

But hell, there are 3 pedals for once!

[SVT_Power]

But hell, there are 3 pedals for once!

Like the S4's!

[SJ_GTI]

The front end looks just like the S3.

That shift knob looks awfully familiar! (coughGTIcough).

No power specs? I assume ~350 at a minimum. It probably won't touch 400, since the RS4 only has ~410.

[Colonel Cadillac]

The front end looks just like the S3.

That shift knob looks awfully familiar! (coughGTIcough).

No power specs? I assume ~350 at a minimum. It probably won't touch 400, since the RS4 only has ~410.

I'm not so sure, the standard A5 has a 4.2 V8 with I am assuming anywhere between 330-350HP (it may say in the other thread), so it would make sense that this had the RS4's version of the 4.2, and if they were to make an RS5, they could use the V10.

[MexicoCityM3]

Will this hotted up A5 have the cajones to take on the BMW M3 Coupe? [/I]

No. 

[ro51092]

^^^What he said^^^

[thewizard16]

That's one of the most beautiful things I've seen this week.

[the Teuton]

Rather than starting on my rant about how it's probably a pig of a car, I'm just going to say that I love the design, but it will probably be blown away by the BMW M3 for less money.

[Pancor]

Why does an Audi sports coupe seem so out of place as compared to a similar BMW?

[Tave]

I think it looks like a G35 coupe with side-styling influenced by BMWs and an Audi grill tacked on.

I suppose it's a'ight. I liked the S4 cabrio better, though.

[ro51092]

I never liked the A4/S4 cabrios. I actually like this quite a bit (not more than the E92....duh)

[MrH]

I absolutely adore this car.  If I won the lottery, this is in my mind the perfect daily driver.

[Payman]

I give it 4 rock on, dudes 

[sportyaccordy]

OK, it's official. I don't like this at all.

[r0tor]

I kinda think the base model should have been styled like this... but then again they probably will sell the base model with the S-Line bodykit

[pommes-t]

I give it 4 rock on, dudes?

from me!

[ChrisV]

Why does an Audi sports coupe seem so out of place as compared to a similar BMW?

Doesn't seem out of place to those of us who remember the world dominating Quattro Coupes of the '80s.

[Catman]

Wow, that's hot!

[omicron]

Wow, that's hot!

That will be $1 million to Ms. Hilton, thankyouverymuch.

[AudiMan2001]

In all fairness, this 'pig' of the car is a cousin of a particular sedan that is 2-0 against the M3 in C & D's comparison tests.

I already can see the next comparison test: S5 vs M3 Coupe ... I expect it by year's end.

[JYODER240]

This is the only one of Audi's designs that I don't like.

[TheIntrepid]

This is the only one of Audi's designs that I don't like.

Would you take an A4 Cabrio over this?

[JYODER240]

Would you take an A4 Cabrio over this?

No, but my statement wasn't about which one I'd rather have because I wouldn't buy either. I was saying that I don't care for its design.

[MexicoCityM3]

In all fairness, this 'pig' of the car is a cousin of a particular sedan that is 2-0 against the M3 in C & D's comparison tests.

I already can see the next comparison test: S5 vs M3 Coupe ... I expect it by year's end.

To my best knowledge, there have been two comparos. The first involved an S4 and an M3 (plus a third-place-always AMG Merc), and the second an RS4, an M3, and another AMG Merc (in Europe).

About the RS4, I think you are right. I'll admit that the RS4 will be faster and more capable than an E46 M3 in almost any situation. As it should for what it costs. However, it is not necessarily more fun and for my money, I'll take an E46 M3 every time and wait to see the next E90 M3 which will most likely wipe the floor with the RS4 (though it may also become less fun, we'll see).

The S4 is a different matter. I have seen it beat the M3 only on that C/D comparo and on a run on a damp track by Top Gear. Funny how when its a contest in C/D between say, a Ferrari and a Porsche Turbo, the Ferrari always wins because it has more soul and is more fun to drive (while being slower than the Porsche), while a Porsche Turbo has been called by C/D an "appliance for speed" (while being faster). However, when comparing the M3 and the S4 C/D editors seem to turn into old geezers who prefer an "easy to dirve , unflappable" S4 (which is objectively slower) over a "raw boy racer image" M3 (objectively faster). I'll take the Ferrari in the first case and the M3 in the second, thank you.

Evo actually rated an E46 M3 as better than a much more expensive RS4 recently in a comparo won by a Cayman S.

[TBR]

There is a difference between being easy to drive and being an appliance for speed.

[Raza]

I need one of these though:

[The Pirate]

I need one of these though:

+1

I'd like one in that exact color as well.

[MexicoCityM3]

There is a difference between being easy to drive and being an appliance for speed.

Are you implying that in *some way* an S4 is better than a 996TT?