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Following hot on the heels of the A5 Sportback launched in January, Audi has unleashed the second of it's Sportback models, the S5. The Sportback is a cross between a coupe and a sedan with a dash of Avant (Audi for station wagon) thrown in for good measure.
The coupe's contribution to the design is the fast back styling while the sedan provides four doors for practicality. Audi see the Sportback range within the Audi models as `niche' vehicles appealing to those who want the brand's sporty appeal, but also need the practicality of a four door within the bounds of a luxury marque.
Audi's S models slot between the standard cars and the high-performance RS range. Not that the S5 is a slouch.This car combines Audi's basics: emotion, prestige and functionality, said Audi product manager, Jacqueline Walden.
Underlying the sporty aspect is the S5's sublime 3.0 litre supercharged TFSI V6 engine, also found in Audi A6, S4 and S5 cabriolet. This engine belts out 245 kW of power between 5500 7000 rpm and a healthy 440 Nm of torque between 2900 5300 rpm. Audi claim economy figures of 9.4 litres/100 km while on the test drive in north east Victoria we returned 10.8 litres over around 200 km of, at times, enthusiastic driving on steep, winding roads around Mt Beauty. The performance figures are impressive. 0 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds while the car is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
A seven-speed dual clutch S-tronic transmission is distributes torque to all four wheels via Audi's all wheel drive `quattro' system. Grunt is split 60 per cent to the rear and 40 per cent to the front for normal driving. This can vary up to 85 per cent to the rear and 65 per cent to the front depending on grip and where the torque is required in more testing circumstances.
Those interested in even higher-performance handling, have a sports differential is an optional extra which splits the torque laterally across the rear wheels as required allowing for even faster and flatter cornering at high speed. This system is integrated into Audi's drive select program ($6900) where the driver can adapt the suspension to suit the conditions. Settings include `comfort' for normal driving, `auto' for balanced setting and `dynamic' for sporty driving. The S5 also gets a sports suspension as standard. Eighteen inch wheels are standard, but wheels up to 20 inch can be optioned.
The practicality of the S5 is enhanced by having a slightly longer wheelbase, the same as the sedan, but longer than the coupe, giving extra room inside the cabin. But, be warned, this is a car designed for four people to ride in superb comfort, even though it could easily be a five seater. The rear seat has a 60/40 split and folds to enlarge the boot space to a generous 980 litres. With the rear seats in use the boot space is a handy 480 litres. Audi believe the car will appeal to families as a `his and her' car with the sporty appeal balanced with practicality and prestige.
Appearance is always subjective, but by any guage the S5 is a handsome car. The fastback look on a large car is a fairly rare occurrence, and for that reason the Sportback stands out in a crowd. Audi expect to sell around 60 units in what remains of this year, compared to 1200 units for the A5 Sportback, launched in January. Manufacturers List Price for the S5 is $129,300, which does not include government or dealer charges.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
The S5 has the latest fad in remote keyless entry touch the door and it is unlocked with your keys in your pocket and when get inside simply push the start button to get things rolling. The V6 has a note that reminds us a bit of the exhaust music from some European straight-six engines, so is pleasant on the ears.
Even planting the foot from go on dry bitumen, while turning, there is no hint of torque steer, nor is there any wheelspin. What there is, is a feeling of being in complete control despite the rapid onset of high revs under the bonnet. Power is instantaneous. The car rides nicely with no hint of hard suspension, even over some not-that-well maintained roads.
Where the S5 comes into it's own is in passing at speed where the engine simply relishes the challenge of getting, past, and back in again safely and with a minimum of fuss. Our trek through the mountains revealed the S5's true colours with superb handling and braking as it devoured corners for breakfast, again with no fuss. Audi's quattro system has now been around for 30 years and it is not hard to see why demand for the system has grown from 25 per cent of all Audi sales in 2004 to 49 per cent in 2009.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
18 alloys in S design
Three zone auto air conditioning
Full keyless entry and start
Alcantara/leather trim
Anti-theft alarm
Electric seat adjustment for both front seats
Bluetooth interface
Front centre armrest
Sat/Nav with hard drive and voice control
Sports front seats
Tyre pressure warning
Xenon head lights with LED daytime running lights |
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