EXCLUSIVE FIRST DRIVE: Audi S5 7-Speed DSG (CAR Magazine)

Audi has just about the most bewildering array of transmissions of any car maker – and it’s about to get more confusing, with the launch of a twin-clutch version of the S5 coupe. We’ve just driven the seven-speed S tronic S5 to bring you this first CAR review.

Across its burgeoning range, Ingolstadt now offers manual transmissions, Tiptronic automatics, CVT Multitronic gearboxes, an R-tronic automated manual in the R8 supercar and an ever-broadening choice of twin-clutch transmissions badged S-tronic (formerly DSG).

It’s a new seven-speed S tronic ’box that we’re here to test on the svelte S5 coupe. It’s the first time anyone’s tested this transmission, that’s bound for a range of future Audis.

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S4cabriofoxone - 6/4/2008 1:20:51 AM

+2 Boost

I didn't see THIS coming! Or at least, not so soon!

One note: Under the specs, it says 0-100km/h takes 5.9 sec... I'm sure that's a typo, because the manual version consistently posts sub-5 second times, and this would only be quicker.

Matthew1 - 6/4/2008 3:58:55 AM

0 Boost

"I didn't see THIS coming!"

You went to 001's school of journalism too? ;)

I think you'll find British magazines post slightly more conservative numbers, because most test 0-62, where I'm sure American rag's are more obsessed with 0-60.

Also some journalists are inclined to give the car 'mechanical sympathy' and not dump the proverbial clutch at high rpm, some testers however don't care, as its only a demo, and flog the ring piece off the things.

In reality, unless you abuse your car, you are never going to match the numbers posted by the 'fastest' magazine times, so nit-picking over such minuscule numbers is pointless and unnecessary.

Rupert - 6/4/2008 6:28:49 AM

+2 Boost

It has to be a typo. The 3.0 diesel does 0-62 in 5.9. And the regular tiptronic does it in 5.4. I'm guessing they mean 4.9.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 6/4/2008 9:14:26 AM

+2 Boost

Rupert is correct;
Must be a Typo.

3.0 TDI A5 0-100km/h 5.9 sec

S5 Manual 0-100km/h 5.1 sec

{Official Audi Press Release Times}

Matthew1 - 6/4/2008 4:24:29 PM

+1 Boost

Why the deboosting? I don't just make this stuff up....

M35MT - 6/4/2008 8:31:20 AM

+1 Boost

Give me a 6spd manual.

KZ258 - 6/4/2008 10:44:04 AM

+1 Boost

me too. manumatic/automanuals are for men who are whipped by their wives ;)

DieselRules - 6/4/2008 12:11:53 PM

+3 Boost

Neither of you has driven a DSG, have you.

I had an A3 2.0t with 6-spd DSG and its amazing.
I'll take you on with your 6-spd any day, because you can't come close to the DSG.

NOTE: my daily ride is an A6 twin-turbo with 6-speed manual, and I own 3 trucks and a VW TDI that are all manuals, and I've converted 2 cars from automatic to manual in the past, so I'm not any kind slush-box fan.

M35MT - 6/4/2008 12:28:10 PM

+1 Boost

I like feeling connected to the car....a rowdy evo is perfect. The car feels alive.

S4cabriofoxone - 6/4/2008 1:40:18 PM

+3 Boost

The Evo comes with DSG ;-)

pcar4evr - 6/4/2008 9:31:10 AM

+1 Boost

Having test driven a manual S5, I'd say that it's good that they come up with a proper manumatic. The manual S5 feels like the shifter is attached by rubber bands in a bucket of oil.

Bmw8ter - 6/4/2008 11:35:53 AM

+1 Boost

It can't be any worse than the Tremec in my '04 mustang; and it shifts smoothly, to me.

gsh23 - 6/4/2008 12:35:37 PM

+1 Boost

i have driven a DSG audi and ill still take the manual...

DieselRules - 6/4/2008 12:52:40 PM

+4 Boost

I think there's a lot of people who don't understand that the DSG is a manual transmission with traditional clutches (the new ones are mostly dry clutches, but they claim this one is a wet-clutch).
They are shifted by robots that could beat Don Garlits, and controlled by computers that operate a million times faster than your brain.

Would you want to try to control your car's fuel-injection with a push-button for each cylinder rather than let the computer do it?
Its the same with these new transmissions.
The traditional torque-converter-slush-box is officially obsolete! :)

ThierryHenry14 - 6/4/2008 1:20:42 PM

+2 Boost

I wish I had this car...

tattedtwice - 6/4/2008 4:58:35 PM

0 Boost

M'eh. Still rather have the 335 or M3 with DCT.

LexSucks - 6/4/2008 7:58:23 PM

-1 Boost

I don't believe it. They didn't drive any DSG S5. If they did drive one then they are the most brain-dead journalists in history. Where are the pictures of the interior showing the setup? The only pictures of the S5 in that article are of the exterior. Does the outside of a DSG equipped S5 look any different than the other versions? The could be an regular S5 in the pictures.

What a crap article. How can such a simple detail like actually showing what they are writing about get overlooked? And they get paid to do this? They could have really had an exclusive. No one has yet posted a picture on the internet of the interior of an DSG equipped S5.

Matthew1 - 6/4/2008 10:48:43 PM

+2 Boost

Talk about an over-reaction...

In some cases, these 'tests' are performed on a racetrack on a press day organised by Audi, and so too is the photographer. There is nothing note-worthy about the DSG interior anyway, so whats the point of taking photos of it? People just want to know how it drives.

Also, you might find the FULL article in their magazine, which might include (just for you!) pictures of the shifter.