Audi has already announced that it will replace the S5's 4.2-liter V8 with the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that currently resides in the 2010 S4. Actually, convertible S5s have already made the switch. There are some internal discussions at Audi about keeping the V8 around in the coupe, but last we heard the V6 was still the engine of choice.
A shame really. I've said here many times that the power of the S5's V8 is often underwhelming, but that doesn't mean I don't like it. It's nice to be able to roll into the throttle in sixth gear on the way to Vegas for SEMA and feel the S5 pick up speed so effortlessly. Not sure whether it's the sound of the engine or the feel through the gas pedal, but it's too good to pass up.
That would probably explain my less than exceptional mileage on the 600-mile round trip (around 18mpg or so). It would also explain why I would tell anybody who's thinking about buying an S5 to do it now. They're not getting much better than this.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line
cwmoo740 says:
02:39 PM, 11/ 5/09
If only they tuned it the same way that they did for R8 duty. They could call it the RS5. Oh darn... that's already taken. (R/2)S5 then. In any case, if they could justify charging a nice premium over the supercharged V6, then the V8 might be a nice gap between the S5 and RS5. Except for the nomenclature problem.
adavis2493 says:
03:00 PM, 11/ 5/09
This is what I hate about Audi.
I hate to say this, but we have come to the point in time where it seems as if in all luxury performance cars, the horsepower output has to be similar or higher to that of an equal BMW Model. Infiniti has grasped this concept, as well as Cadillac (CTS), and a few other brands. Yet, Audi makes cars with more of a desire for a better MPG (A4 4-Cylinder), while sacrificing raw power.
I just think it's ridiculous.
redwoodaggie says:
03:05 PM, 11/ 5/09
I'd rather have the new S4 engine. Now if they offered an RS5, that would be different..
hondacura4 says:
03:31 PM, 11/ 5/09
Other than sound, is the V8 really better? The 3.0T is MUCH more efficient, faster and I believe has a better, flatter torque curve. Gimme' the boosted 6 please!
equ says:
04:55 PM, 11/ 5/09
The new s4 engine is way better. I am quite familiar with the audi v8 and the new 3.0T wowed me. Just needs slightly better sound, other than that it gives up nothing to the aging v8. I'm sure an intake or an exhaust will take care of that, it's only been out mere months.
acbayard says:
08:01 PM, 11/ 5/09
@adavis2493: Just curious... have you driven an Audi A4 with the 2.0 turbo?
It might be just me, but I've never found the 258 lb-ft torque it produces starting from 1800 to make it a slow drive.
Yes the base BMW 3 sedan may have more peak hp with the inline 6, but when will the 20hp difference at 6500 rpm hold you down in North America?
yellowmiata says:
05:17 AM, 11/ 6/09
I like Ed's honesty in complaining about something, then whining that its going away. From his writeup, I'd gather that the V8 is more about the belief than the power - if a boosted V6 can do the same or better what are you missing? The gas guzzling? The sound? I can understand the latter despite not holding the same view. Acceleration is acceleration. Regardless, thanks for the honest post; I enjoyed the read.
rick8365 says:
06:31 PM, 11/ 6/09
Great picture - I think this is my favorite angle to view (most) cars/trucks from and the S5 does not disappoint.
I would go with the V8 - the 4.2 always impresses me, I never get tired of the sound and feel of a good V8 and I suspect there will come a day that the V8 will exist only in history books and in museums.
srlracing says:
08:38 AM, 11/ 7/09
Without the V8 Audi will lose any interest I have in one of their cars. Not for any performance reason but merely on sound. The Audi of my choice is a RS4 convertible with the V8 just so I can have a car I can listen to with the top down while driving up a snowy mountain. Without that I could give a crap about Audi, just expensive VW's.