Production 2007–present | ||
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Class Compact executive carGrand tourer Body style 2-door coupé2-door convertible5-door fastback | ||
The Audi S5 is the high-performance variant of Audi's A5. It is also the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback versions of the fourth-generation (B8) Audi S4 saloon and estate models.
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Like all Audi "S" cars, they are only available as standard with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive (4WD) system, here in S5 using a Torsen-based centre diff system.
Most versions of the S5 are manufactured at Audi's plant in Ingolstadt, Germany; they are available as a coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback (the latter not available in North America). The cabriolets are built at Audi's factory in Neckarsulm, Germany.
S5 B8/8T (2007-2012)
The Audi S5 was released in coupé form to the public at the same time as the A5. The Audi S5 Sportback was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, and went on sale in the spring of 2010 with a MSRP of €57,900.
The Audi S5, in comparison to the A5, features a more aggressive body style (typical design for Audi S and RS models) which consists of side skirts, bigger air inlets on front bumper and dual-quad tip exhaust. The S5 includes a string of LED daytime running lights around the bi-Xenon headlamps and a vertically striped chrome grille as well. In many markets, the S5 includes as standard, 19" alloy wheels with a five-parallel spoke design, bigger brakes, heated leather sport bucket seats, and other convenience features, some of which are available only as an option on the A5. Changes for 2010 model year include LED tail lamps, the introduction of Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels and new optional equipment such as leather/Alcantara seats.
Despite sharing the same nameplate, the powertrains were different between the coupé and the Cabriolet/Sportback for the 2010-12 model years. The 2007-2012 Audi S5 coupé had a 4.2-litre Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) V8 engine that produces 260 kW (349 hp), while the S5 Cabriolet and Sportback have a supercharged 3.0-litre TFSI V6 engine producing 245 kW (329 hp) which is shared with the 2010 Audi S4 3.0 TFSI quattro sedan and avant. The coupé had a choice of either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed Tiptronic, while the Cabriolet/Sportback have the 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission. Despite minor differences in peak power output, both the V8 and the supercharged V6 provide very much similar performance. While the V8 benefits from the smooth power delivery the V6 is more frugal. The only Audi S5 with the V8 engine is the pre-facelift Coupe version.
S5 B8.5/8.5T (2013-2017)
The (B8.5/8.5T or Facelift) Audi S5 Coupé uses the 3.0 L Supercharged V6 TFSI engine producing 245 kW, previously used in the S5 Cabriolet and S4 Sedan/Avant since the 2010 model year. The other major change under the bonnet is the introduction of stop-start technology for better fuel efficiency. Audi claims an average fuel economy of 8.9 litres/100 km (compared to the current 12.6 litres/100 km in the V8 coupe and 10.7 litres/100 km in the Cabriolet). In 2017, Audi replaced the supercharged 333 HP engine with a single turbocharged 183 cu in, 2995 cc, 354 HP engine, an increase of 21 HP from the supercharged model. Although more powerful at low RPM, Audi made a decision to replace the supercharger with a turbocharger based on European driver's preference for smaller, more efficient, yet powerful engines, a market which Mercedes and BMW have always lead.
As part of the mid-generational refresh, the S5 undergoes some major front-end changes, including a complete redesign of the headlights – this means new LED DRL's, a brand-new grille loosely based on the 2012 Audi A6 grille and new fog lamps. Audi has also introduced a new rear diffuser that appears to be more cosmetic than the one found on previous models and updated LED tail light design.
Inside, the S5 receives some new features. Dials in the center console get the chrome treatment along with the edges of the buttons for the windows, 4 Audi MMI control buttons and Audi's 3G+ MMI which has a slightly refreshed interface and now features Google Earth maps. Audi has brought the shift knob from the RS5 to the S5. There is a shift from having four buttons down each side of the console, to just two with the addition of a Menu and Car buttons below the MMI control dial (Audi has removed the skip forward / backward buttons that previously occupied the space on either side of the back button). Lastly, a flat-bottom steering wheel style will have a new circular airbag cover as well as piano black trim.