8 February 2011
Over the last two years there's been a bit of a sea change at Audi. They're making exhilarating cars again, and the punters are loving it.
Sure, the good looking new mainstream models like the Q7 and A6 allroad Avant have without question boosted the brand's local sales, but it's the premium-priced sport models that seem the real success story.
Prime example is the RS4. Here's a $160,000 four-door sedan available in manual only with dismal rear legroom, yet its sold 160+ units in one year.
To put that in perspective one of the RS4's most likely competitors is the less expensive and consummate driver's car, the BMW M3, only 15 M3s were registered new in this country for 2005 and 2006 combined (Source: Land Transport New Zealand).
On the back of the exciting new models Audi New Zealand's YTD sales are up an impressive 35%.
By reviving a raucousness Audi's had lost for some years, the RS4 has opened the floodgates for the new TT, S6 and S3 models and now, their latest 'S' car, the S5. Which can trace its roots back to the most legendary Audi ever, the Audi Quattro Coupe.
Powered by a detuned version of the RS4's sonorous V8 FSI engine, the $137,900 S5 has performance aplenty, but in a more refined and some might say classy package. At 260kW @ 7000 rpm it lacks some of the brutal punch of its RS badged stable mate, but this S5 is no slouch. 0-100km/h comes in 5.1 seconds and the engine's 440Nm of torque has been tweaked for improved delivery through the rev range.
A precise and snicky 6-speed manual sends power to all four wheels via an intelligent torque-sensing centre differential.
That drivetrain sits lower and further back than previous Audi's improving the vehicle's centre of gravity and balance, which is better than the nose heavy RS4. On the road or track, the S5 feels more responsive up front - albeit slightly.
The new engine position means the front axle resides forward of the clutch and axle loading is greatly reduced; in our opinion the S5 is the crisper steer, especially in tight and twisty corners.
The sports tuned suspension is predictably well-sorted, ride comfort feels compromised over larger bumps or abrupt B-road dips, but given the absence of body roll through bends this seems a fair trade off.
So, is the S5 going to tempt purchasers away from the RS4?
Probably not, you're talking two quite different buyers here. Where the RS4 is primarily about raw performance, styling remains the most important purchase reason in the coupe segment, which is good news for the stunning S5.
Based on an all-new platform, which will form the basis of the next A4, the S5's flowing surface language pales other Germanic coupe offerings by comparison.
It arrives in New Zealand ahead of the A5 range, on which the S version is based. A lack of availability from the factory means we won't see an auto variant A5 until April 2008. Eager to get some models on the road though, Audi New Zealand have taken the 'S' car in manual guise ahead of the entry level models.
Being the more performance focussed of the range the current manual only situation shouldn't deter S5 customers, as the RS4's popularity already confirms.
Inside, occupants are cocooned by rich leather in either deep red or, the safe option, grey. And an interior of superb quality.
Typical of the technology brand, the cockpit is awash with hi-tech, eight (front, front and rear side and curtain) airbags are standard and the impressive level of kit includes a colour LCD driver information system, three-zone climate control, electrically adjustable, heated front seating, electrically adjustable steering column and the latest version of Audi's intuitive Multi Media Interface (MMI).
'Must have' cost options include Adaptive lighting ($1000) which enables the high intensity Xenon lamps to pivot around corners. Audi Advanced parking system ($1200) and the Bang and Olufsen sound system ($1500).
For those who remember the brutality of epic Audis from the past, the relationship between the rally bred Quattro Coupe and the refined luxury of the S5 may seem a world apart.
But don't be blinded by all the Vorsprung, with a meaty V8 burble and engaging driving dynamics, the S5 stands out among pompous Grand Tourer fare.
For a brand that's all about looking forward, Audi know when to draw inspiration from the past. Long may it last.