The Red Sea parted, the gods smiled and Riswick got the Audi S5 for the first time. Cue the bells.
Though I've driven the S5 before, it is such a distinct pleasure to drive home even if my journey consisted of a mere 9.2 miles through the city. The S5 has all the ingredients of a car I would consider for myself. It's a coupe. It's absolutely stunning. It's German. Its V8 is robust yet refined. Its ride strikes that sophisticated balance of engaged firmness and comfort. The driving position is superb. I love the shifter, both in its design and action. It has a big trunk. It has a usable (enough) back seat. The interior is beautifully made. Did I mention it's absolutely stunning?
I know I'm gushing, but I don't get in the S5 much and figure I should heap whatever praise upon it while I can. Sometimes you just have to sit back, put aside whatever nitpicks you may have and revel in a car's greatness.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor @ 15,572 miles
charlesb says:
12:17 PM, 01/27/10
Nice that they broke it in for you.
arm51 says:
12:27 PM, 01/27/10
That picture is beautiful! Thanks for offering it in super-high res, it is now my desktop background.
bodyblue says:
12:55 PM, 01/27/10
I am a diabetic and that much sugar in one post is dangerous to my health.
robbrophy says:
01:09 PM, 01/27/10
Stop it! (but please don't)
I want one so badly....I think this summer it will happen.
chavis10 says:
01:22 PM, 01/27/10
"Sometimes you just have to sit back, put aside whatever nitpicks you may have and revel in a car's greatness. "
Just as long as the car isn't made by an American company, right?
crowb says:
01:27 PM, 01/27/10
@ chavis10
Really?
lucien4 says:
01:39 PM, 01/27/10
Netcarshow also has several nice 1600x1200 pictures of the S5 (in red):
http://www.netcarshow.com/audi/2008-s5/
prndlol says:
01:45 PM, 01/27/10
17 mpg.
audisport says:
02:04 PM, 01/27/10
@ prndlol- Is that a knock? How much city mpg does any other 4 passenger V-8 powered sport coupe earn?
Mustang GT
Camaro SS
Challanger R/T?
I'm too lazy to look but it's either 17, 18, or 19...
zoomzoom22 says:
02:33 PM, 01/27/10
" "Sometimes you just have to sit back, put aside whatever nitpicks you may have and revel in a car's greatness. "
Just as long as the car isn't made by an American company, right?"
We've got a whiner on our hands. Somebody call a whaaaaambulance.
uncanny_man says:
03:38 PM, 01/27/10
@audisport:
Actually, 17 would be the combined fuel economy. The manual s5 is rated at 14/22. Exactly the same as the 540 hp gt500, just with 200 less horsepower.
mtakahashi says:
04:05 PM, 01/27/10
Nice shot, Jimbo
siarizona says:
04:12 PM, 01/27/10
I saw a silver S5 today. It was unremarkable in appearance. If it weren't for this blog, I wouldn't have paid any attention to it.
The red really makes the car pop.
cooticooti says:
05:01 PM, 01/27/10
It's official. Get the Audi S5 for looks and features and a nice ego boost.
Get the BMW M3 for one helluva drive.
Audi for me.
subytrojan says:
06:34 PM, 01/27/10
Hey, man! Nice shot!
pac10 says:
08:51 PM, 01/27/10
the styling is beautiful inside and out.
it's fast and handles well in all kinds of weather.
those are enough reasons to buy the S5.
who cares how many mpg it gets?
it's a showstopper, utterly drop dead gorgeous.
firelicked says:
08:52 PM, 01/27/10
suby... I believe you mean
slowly walking up from the front {key fob in hand}... (I wish I would have met you....)
door pops open with a flick of the wrist... (now it's a little late...)
slide behind wheel and feel every stich on the perfect steering wheel... (what you could have taugh me, could have saved some face...)
lean the seat back to an almost gangerster lean... ( They think your early ending, was all wrong...)
tach and speedo come to life... ( For the most part they're right, but look how they all got strong...)
engine flashes to life as a smile ear to ear forms... (That's why I say hey man, nice shot...)
clutch to floor, select first gear... (What a good shot man...)
...drums kick in...
Throttle blip, clutch out and crank to 11...
I want this car. cheers. :P
uncanny_man says:
04:15 AM, 01/28/10
Man you audi guys are creepy...
audisport says:
10:34 AM, 01/28/10
Ok, even still, 17 combined isn't bad for this car.
uncanny_man says:
11:43 AM, 01/28/10
^^^ Not when compared to the m3, but against any other car with a v8... (by the way, why does the m3's fuel economy suck so bad?)