There are several reasons why I decided to drive from L.A. to Colorado for a friend's wedding in our new Audi S5 long-termer. With only a few hundred miles on the clock, it needed a little more break-in before we could track test it. It was also May, so the weather would be pleasant the whole way through. And if you're ever seen the Glenwood Canyon section of I-70 in the spring you know it's worth the drive for the scenery alone. Oh, and I kind of forgot to book a plane ticket.
So I headed out at noon on a Thursday hoping to make it to Grand Junction, CO that night , a nearly 800 mile stretch. The S5 made the initial 300-mile leg to Vegas uneventful and comfortable. After five hours behind the wheel I still felt fresh even though the seats don't seem all that special when you first get in.
It's an exceptionally quiet car on the highway. The V8 hum that you hear at idle disappears at higher engine speeds, so phone calls and the Stern show sounded great. Like our A4 Avant, the S5 pairs with a Bluetooth phone in seconds, and it will do it on the fly too.
I also liked the fact that the navigation system works when the car is moving once you "accept" the warning that it's a bad idea to do so. Sure, people shouldn't be staring at their navigation screens on the way to work, but in the middle of the desert it's nice to have the option of calling up the nearest gas station, especially since the S5 only goes about 325 miles or so on a tank.
Our S5 features Audi's Drive Select system which offers "comfort", "dynamic" or "automatic" modes for the steering, throttle and suspension settings. I put it in comfort mode for most of the drive as the vast majority of the roads were nothing but flat, straight highway. In that setting, the S5 isn't quite as soft as our BMW 7 Series, which goes into old school Cadillac mode when switched to its softest setting, but the Audi soaks up most bumps without any cabin noise. The system also has an "individual" mode which allows you to tailor each setting on its own. I found that I liked it best with the steering on "dynamic" while the suspension and throttle remained on "comfort". No reason to have lazy steering if you don't have to.
Made it to Grand Junction around midnight and Denver the next day by noon. Sure, it took five times longer than a flight, but I didn't regret it for a second. More details to follow.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor @ 1,476 miles
orangutan says:
02:40 PM, 05/25/09
Five times as long but infinitely more enjoyable. I'd imagine even with gas in the 2.75 range and hitting 22 it's still cheaper to drive than to fly, too.
_carrera says:
02:42 PM, 05/25/09
Finally an S5 post. When is that exhaust vid coming?
Also - Washington plate?
adavis2493 says:
02:43 PM, 05/25/09
Make sure to use the iPod Jack. iPod Sound with Bang & Olufson is out of this world.
BTW: Washington Tags?
bradyholt says:
02:51 PM, 05/25/09
I had a Hyundai Elantra press car with Washington tags too, in Virginia. Maybe the DMV there is just especially easy to deal with.
spaceywilly says:
03:35 PM, 05/25/09
I think of all the cars you have this has to be the one I'm most anxious to read about. I've always liked the way S5's look and sound, I'm really curious to know what you guys will have to say about it.
subytrojan says:
03:35 PM, 05/25/09
"Also - Washington plate?"
It's a manufacturer-provided vehicle as stated at the bottom of the long-term road test introduction.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/LongTerm/articleId=148547
I, too, would like a video or sound clip of the exhaust note. :o)
_carrera says:
04:00 PM, 05/25/09
Are mods still allowed on the vehicles then? E.g. exhausts, etc.
It seems that people are almost as excited about this car as they were about the R8.
mcloffs says:
06:20 PM, 05/25/09
Interesting that it has Washington plates but no front plate -- they're required here. Of course, that hasn't stopped me from driving without one for the past 11 years...
allthingshonda says:
07:35 PM, 05/25/09
First you guys should have a disclaimer that says that all Audis and BMWs will be IL longterm cars like or not. Secondly, is it fair to have a vehicle supplied by the manufactuer for a realistic evaluation? With that being said there should be no mercy for this car if it has any problems at all. Safe to say that this is absolute best Audi can do if they submitted this particular car for a long term durability test.
zoomzoom22 says:
10:21 PM, 05/25/09
Ed, I live in Fort Collins (go RAMS) and I have to say that one of the most gorgeous drives in Colorado is hwy 24. If you can, take the S5 from Denver to Vail via I70, and then go south on US24 towards Buena Vista. On the way, you'll pass Colorado's two highest peaks, Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, as you parallel the Sawatch Range in the valley. The views here are amazing.
From there, keep going south (becomes hwy 285) into Poncha Springs, and then take hwy 50 west to Montrose and then northeast to Grand Junction to connect with I70. Sure, it will add a couple hours to the drive (probably 5 or 6), but the views are absolutely stunning the entire way and the roads are twisty.
Oh, and hows that sound system?
I've driven this route in my Speed6 and it was incredible. I can't even imagine driving the same route in an S5.
zoomzoom22 says:
10:23 PM, 05/25/09
That entire previous post is assuming you are still in Colorado. Which you probably aren't, considering you just published this blog. Damn.
brian55 says:
07:12 AM, 05/26/09
Does the S5 have an oil dipstick??
stingray454 says:
11:27 AM, 05/26/09
"I found that I liked it best with the steering on "dynamic" while the suspension and throttle remained on "comfort". No reason to have lazy steering if you don't have to. "
Agreed. That's why I think these multiple setting options for streering and throttle response are a waste of a feature, and nothing more than gimmicky. Adjustable suspension? Yes - that is useful. Adjustable steering and throttle? No. The worst offender of gimmickry is the "M" button for the BMW M5, which actually forces you to mess with a setting to gain access to the car's full 500hp. That's just dumb, when a throttle pedal can do the same thing, only better.
This is a classic case of the Germans trying to re-engineer things that don't need to be. Leave this kind of nonsense to the video games that little kids play.
70ss454_man says:
12:50 PM, 05/26/09
That car has a really strong stance.
ih8hyundai says:
01:54 PM, 05/26/09
We need bigger pictures of the S5.
Maybe around 1680x1050. Hint hint.
God it's beautiful.
hondacura4 says:
03:15 PM, 05/26/09
I find it odd that the A/S5 looks on the larger side in picture yet in person its not large at all. Audi nailed the design inside, outside, underneath ....everywhere with this coupe. Acura, PLEASE take notes.