Vehicle: 2008 Audi S5 with brushed aluminum inlays
Price as tested: CDN$66700

Performance: With the introduction of the new S5, Audi has finally brought back their legendary sports coupe. Because the latest car has to match its forebear’s performance prowess, both on the road and track. A single performance shortfall would make its predecessor ashamed. Not so with the S5. Thanks to the proven 4.2 liter V8 DOHC 32-valve share with the already exceptional S4, it surely have the performance edge to go with the style. With 354hp and 325 lb/ft of torque generating from a refined yet sporty V8, both the acceleration and flexability are nothing short of extraordinary. The throttle response is quick without losing the refined demeanor one expects from this German marque. 6-speed manual is the only gearbox available for S5, until the Tiptronic available latter in this year. The throws are sharp and precise, it also addresses the rubbery feel we once associated with Audi. The clutch is light and progressive, although its take-up point remains as high as all Audis I have ever driven. That’s except for the astounishing R8, which have a clutch take-off that doesn’t feel like any Audi clutches in the past few years. Thanks to its smart use of gear ratios, it keeps this beautifully sounded V8 always in the boiling point.

Handling: With the introduction of the S5, the most significant change for Audi platform is the placement of engine is behind instead of in front of the axles. That makes for an ideal weight distribution even for an AWD. 55/45 front-to-rear weight distribution to be exact. On the other hand, its rear-bias 60/40 Torsen Quattro is a bonus to the already attractive dynamic package. This AWD system gives driver a rear-wheel drive feel without losing the confidence of driving an AWD. Its the best-of-both-worlds on both road and track. On the track, its capable handling shines through. The S5 is very balanced and agile through the corners. Not to mention its ESP remains uninstrusive until driver closes to the end of the envalope. Steering is sharp and precise, with quick responses and plenty of feedback. On the road, all those tricks which provide admirably on track translate into excellent active safety. Although its ride is firm but definitely far from being harsh.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, S5’s braking performance is simply excellent. Even after a couple of harsh stops on the racetrack, it remains fade-free while ABS only kicks in at the right time. Pedal modulation is firm and reassuring.

Interior: Simple and understated elegance have always been the Audi trademark interior design. It shines through S5’s interior. The use of materials and fit-and-finish are absolutely flawless. Its leather materials are soft and supple, while all the plastic finishes are possibly the best in its class. Those leather sports seats provide plenty of support when playing with the car.

As with other sports coupes, getting into the backseat might take a bit of hassle. Once inside S5’s backseat, its surprisingly spacious for 2 persons.

Another delightful surprise is the amount of cargo space. Yes, the liftover is high and sill is tall. But its level of accessibility is more than acceptable for a sports coupe.

Conclusion: Although the S5 costs about half of the extraordinary R8, it doesn’t feel like its half the car of its exotic silibing. It exhibits the same level of performance and engineering prowess with practicality of a proper rear seat space, without losing the bauhaus style. That’s what we called bang-for-the-buck.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 Audi S5
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.25/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5