Audi's S5 is a good alternative to offerings from BMW and Mercedes

When it comes to coupés, no one does it quite like Audi. First came the all-conquering TT, which was followed by the sensational R8. But, despite a line-up that has more than doubled in the past 10 years, the firm has never really had a direct rival to the likes of the BMW 3-Series Coupé.

That's all about to change with the launch of the A5 and S5 - the first of a new generation of mid-sized models that are wasting no time in going for BMW's jugular.
While most manufacturers stagger the launch of their high-performance variants, Audi is offering the sporty S5 quattro from the outset. It is a car which it hopes will take on the excellent 335i Coupé and act as a halo model for the rest of the A5 range.

So, should BMW be worried? We think so. For starters, the S5 certainly looks aggressive and muscular, helped by its low stance and wide track. A chrome-edged grille, silver mirrors and a more pronounced spoiler set the flagship apart from the standard car - as do the twin dual exhaust pipes.

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Will_ - 7/19/2007 12:15:11 PM

-4 Boost

FE FI FO FUM!

RobertFrisk, you are scum!

M35MT - 7/19/2007 12:37:46 PM

+4 Boost

Frisk
you wouldnt say that if you werent threatened by them. Say something relevant.

ThierryHenry14 - 7/19/2007 1:11:53 PM

+4 Boost

I went through the article and did not see one mention of the word "Lexus" so lets keep it out of this posting please. This is about Audi.

S4cabriofoxone - 7/19/2007 10:09:30 PM

-1 Boost

RobertFrisk, your third post. Is that supposed to be an insult or a compliment? Most of the posters on this site know I'm no die-hard Lexus fan, but both the ES and LS are very good-looking.

EnnNorak - 7/20/2007 9:50:28 AM

+1 Boost

I prefer German cars myself but would not go so far as to call Lexus vehicles "junk". The beef I have with Lexus is that the ES is an overpriced Camry instead of a proper RWD car like the LS. The LS has a couple of major flaws however. Lexus tried to clone the functionality of the Mercedes S-Class front seats but only on the driver's side. The reclining rear seat on the long wheelbase LS model is available on one side only. The RX used to have the spare wheel in a proper wheel well inside the vehicle and now it is no longer a matching alloy wheel and is mounted under the vehicle where it picks up all the winter salt and slush. I would hate to get a flat tire on the RX on a lonely winter road. The mechanism for lowering the spare wheel now needs perodic maintenance to prevent binding due to corrosion and a wheel underneath the vehicle is much harder to reach not to mention disgusting when it is dirty.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/19/2007 12:06:29 PM

+7 Boost

The A5 and S5 are brilliant cars, they look like nothing else on the market.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 7/19/2007 12:08:13 PM

+3 Boost

"The driving position is also comfortable, and the cabin wraps itself around you, adding to the feeling of sportiness."

This is a BMW trademark! Until Bangle came. Hate that methodist.

EnnNorak - 7/20/2007 9:54:09 AM

+1 Boost

I wonder what Freud would have said about Bangle's styling foibles.

Will_ - 7/19/2007 12:16:44 PM

+7 Boost

I think I'd take the S5 over the 335i and CLK550 quite easily.

vman1013 - 7/19/2007 12:39:32 PM

+1 Boost

I need to see the convertible version before I right off the 335. If it has a cloth roof then its my next purchase. Unless my bonus is large enough for the 911 Targa!

IamEvilHomer - 7/19/2007 12:52:06 PM

+1 Boost

vman -it will be a ragtop

S4cabriofoxone - 7/19/2007 10:10:34 PM

0 Boost

Yah, cloth top. Audi won't be making a hardtop for quite some time, if ever.

johnct - 7/19/2007 10:53:27 PM

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I haven't seen firm pricing on the A5 yet but from what I have seen so far, 45K plus, I would but a 328Ci first. I chose and A4 over the 328 sedan for my current car though.

EnnNorak - 7/20/2007 10:03:55 AM

+1 Boost

Me too but mainly because of Audi's superior Quattro AWD system. I have to admit however that contrary to Audi's inherently-out-of-balance 90-degree V6 design, BMW's in-line six engines are far superior. I just hope that the A5 has more rear leg room than BMW's 3 series.

vman1013 - 7/19/2007 12:46:13 PM

0 Boost

write off!!

candywhite - 7/19/2007 12:48:07 PM

+3 Boost

LOVE IT!!!
cant wait to own one.
id prolly get the 3litre disel tho.

henbmw - 7/19/2007 12:55:28 PM

+1 Boost

"When it comes to coupés, no one does it quite like Audi." Explain to me how they 'do it.' They have made about 2 coupes, one fantastic, one pretty good.

S4cabriofoxone - 7/19/2007 10:11:27 PM

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Quattro coupe.

But aside from that- their current coupe lineup is excellent. That was the point of the first line.

ThierryHenry14 - 7/19/2007 1:09:48 PM

+1 Boost

Audis look more bubbly than BMWs. I think thats why people get that impression. I get the same impression when I see comparable Audis and BMWs.

All three are great cars, and since I am a VW/Audi/Porsche family fan, I would definitely choose it over the 335i and CLK. I believe its a more refined vehicle than the others.

Monk - 7/19/2007 1:27:10 PM

0 Boost

rubbish! I would take a CLK over this....the Black Series or a CLK63 AMG!
Excellent car from Audi

Monk - 7/19/2007 1:27:11 PM

-2 Boost

rubbish! I would take a CLK over this....the Black Series or a CLK63 AMG!
Excellent car from Audi

Htay7500 - 7/19/2007 1:36:52 PM

-2 Boost

335xi is awsome!!!! but this isnt bad at all.

IamEvilHomer - 7/19/2007 2:07:29 PM

-1 Boost

the 335xi- ripoff car from the Audi 2002 S4

bmwdrvr - 7/19/2007 11:50:36 PM

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your right the s4 was a 2 door coupe with awd.....and its amazing how audi invented AWD and turbos, and anyone with AWD AND TURBOS is certainly trying to be just like AUDI .....thats BS

SamFriedman - 7/19/2007 3:05:20 PM

+2 Boost

I would take this over a 335, but Im confused on what to take, the new m3 or this. Got a deposit down on both, I would actually be the first person to own an S5 because I am number 1 on the list. Im not number one on the m3 list, but for some reason its a tough decision. S5 is more practical and its fun, the m3 is not so practical but would be very fun, especially with that M button.

S4cabriofoxone - 7/19/2007 10:13:16 PM

0 Boost

They're quite different. M3 will be more powerful, but both will suit your fast-driving needs. However, the S5 will be anywhere from $10-15,000 less, which is the catch with the M3. The M3's real competitor with Audi is the RS5. I want one of those!

GermanNut - 7/19/2007 3:16:11 PM

+1 Boost

The E46 M3 was even more fun than this new M3

Treeman888 - 7/19/2007 7:51:43 PM

+1 Boost

Audi S5 is the prettiest coupe compared with the bmw 3 coupe and mercedes clk, which is outdated.

bmwpowerf1 - 7/20/2007 6:12:20 AM

+1 Boost

for some reason i think s4 has copied the 3 series coupe. especially the rear. its almost identical

delan - 7/20/2007 9:03:08 AM

+1 Boost

In my humble opinion, this is the best looking of the sports coupes in its class.

iamdabest1 - 7/20/2007 9:51:53 AM

+1 Boost

i dont know if bmw has too much to worry about. the audi will definitely steal sales but the 335i coupe will be faster than the a5 and probably just as fast as the s5 and will be much cheaper. i saw the S5 at the NY auto show it really does look beautiful, but i cant the the bmw is worse, just different. the s5 looks more refined i think.

iamdabest1 - 7/20/2007 9:51:57 AM

+1 Boost

i dont know if bmw has too much to worry about. the audi will definitely steal sales but the 335i coupe will be faster than the a5 and probably just as fast as the s5 and will be much cheaper. i saw the S5 at the NY auto show it really does look beautiful, but i cant the the bmw is worse, just different. the s5 looks more refined i think.

iamdabest1 - 7/20/2007 9:52:05 AM

0 Boost

i dont know if bmw has too much to worry about. the audi will definitely steal sales but the 335i coupe will be faster than the a5 and probably just as fast as the s5 and will be much cheaper. i saw the S5 at the NY auto show it really does look beautiful, but i cant the the bmw is worse, just different. the s5 looks more refined i think.

minimalist - 7/20/2007 8:08:27 PM

+1 Boost

i would never have guessed that the s5 is a good alternative to a bmw or benz if i hadnt read this article. wow.

sorry, guys. other than the clk black series, the clk is a women's car.

Htay7500 - 7/20/2007 8:34:56 PM

+1 Boost

agreed.

M53R - 7/22/2007 9:08:00 AM

+1 Boost

I ll take a 335i with the sport package over this even though it's a hard choice.

GermanNut - 7/22/2007 9:09:38 AM

+1 Boost

oF course they are poor amazinBimmer, they only drive an Audi S5 which will cost at least $50K and likely at least $55K whereas the 335i is only 41K.

Those Audi owners couldn't afford the 335i though.....