Long-Term Road Tests

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
 

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

Below are the fuel economy numbers for October 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.

As usual, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Continue reading Big List of Fuel Economy: October 2009 .

Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX,2010 Mazdaspeed 3,2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

What a way to start the day. Yesterday morning I was greeted by a low tire warning a minute or so after I left my driveway in the 2009 Audi S5. But that's not to say the tire went low somewhere in those first couple hundred yards--it doubtlessly dipped below the trigger point while the car sat overnight.

The delay comes from the way most TPMS systems operate. The in-wheel pressure sensors and their transmitters are battery powered, but the need for long battery life means they don't broadcast continuously. Update intervals range from once per minute to once every three minutes, and reports are not necessarily issued at engine start.

And that's why I got a half-mile or so down the road before the warning came on.

Continue reading 2009 Audi S5: Waking Up to a Low Tire.

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

Cross-county road trip? Our longterm 2009 Audi S5 is the choice ride. This is isolation done right--think smooooth, not squishy. The downside of this for driving enthusiasts is that the S5's steering is mute, there's driveline lash from the soft engine mounts and the gearchange could be more precise. As a result, there's a slightly synthetic feel to the helm and the throttle.

The S5 isn't an M3, and that's precisely the point. It trades a bit of sport for an extra helping of refinement, and most people will be just fine with that. It's truly a sweet ride. Just not for me.

Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor 

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

I have mixed feelings about the design of the S5's HVAC controls, as they relate to modulating fan intensity. On one hand, the layout seems to involve an unnecessary step. Instead of just twisting a knob to control how hard the fan blows, you have to press a button; lift your gaze to a screen that shows a digital image of the control knob; and then twist the physical knob to modulate the fan speed, guided by the digital image that's presented. Kind of tedious and distracting, especially when you consider that there's a time-tested, simpler approach.  

On the other hand, just look at the digital image. Cool, huh? Makes me feel like I'm living in sci-fi movie with impeccable art direction. And obviously, another plus is that you get a cleaner-looking center stack. Beauty has its cost, I suppose.

Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor @ 10,650 miles 

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

The S5 manages to do something very, very few other cars have managed to do - it makes me feel like an adult.

It makes me feel refined and well-heeled. It makes me look like I have good taste and European sensibilities. It made me want to go buy a Barcelona chair.

After I drove it for the night, I wanted to do absolutely nothing to this car. It's just so... done.

Kurt Niebuhr, Photo Editor @ 10,739 miles

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

The S5 got so many awe-struck looks this weekend, I was constantly checking the passenger seat to see if Nicole Kidman or some other A-lister had snuck in to hitch a ride. The car's sheet metal is pretty stunning, but those admiring onlookers would likely have been just as impressed with its cabin. It looks clean and elegant without being too ostentatious, and gets most of the details just right when it comes to functionality.

Take, for example, the doors. They work well from an ergonomic standpoint -- the placement of the handles and the controls is ideal. They look great -- sleek and contemporary. And they close with a very satisfying thud. What do you think of your car's doors?

Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor @ 10,617 miles 

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

Our long-term 2009 Audi S5 is equipped with a blind-spot detection system (named, somewhat confusingly, Audi side assist). It's part of the Tech package ($2200) that includes back-up camera, adaptive headlamps (AFS), and smart keyless entry/start.

If another vehicle is in your blindspot (either side), the dots in the respective mirror housing light faintly (above pic). Signal a lane change while the other vehicle is there and the dots flash. Audi says the system range is 150 ft and your car must be going at least 19 mph. There is no auditory alert.

If you aren't aware of the system, the first time it flashes you may think you ran a traffic camera.
Or that perhaps paparazzi were interested in your business.

What's that? You don't like it because you're a Luddite?
There's a defeat switch near the A-pillar above the speaker.

Albert Austria, Senior Engineer, Edmunds, Inc.   

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

I rolled to the Nascar race on Sunday in our long-term 2009 Audi S5. Last week, we posted on Straightline that Ford will introduce a Nascar version of their Mustang. 

Huh. I wonder if Audi would like to enter the series with the S5. That's because due to its excellent suspension and Quattro all-wheel-drive grip, the production version at least is utterly stable and composed at speeds over 100 mph. (I mean, a professional driver on a closed course told me.)

  Albert Austria, Senior Engineer @ 10,500 miles

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

Our long-term 2009 Audi S5 has a manual gearbox. It has cruise control. Those things by themselves are not remarkable.

The way they interact, if not remarkable, is unusual. Once set, the S5's cruise control does not cancel if you decide to downshift. The S5's cruise control resumes your set speed as soon as you've completed the gearchange.

This took me by surprise at first, only because so few manual-gearbox cars allow this. Typically the cruise cancels when you dip the clutch.

Because I'm a geek, I began thinking of what might drive an automaker's decision to adopt this "clutch-resume" strategy (as Audi has) over the usual "clutch-cancel" one.

Pro: On a steep freeway grade that requires you to drop down a gear to maintain your speed, "clutch-resume" allows you to do so without having to hit resume afterwards. One less button-press in this case.

Con: Downshifting for engine braking in a "clutch-resume" car requires you to hit cancel first, else you're in for a surprise when the car tries to re-accelerate to your set speed! One more button-press in this case, or use the brakes.

Any geeks out there that can think of other pros or cons to either approach?

Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

Our 2009 Audi S5 is hands down the best looking vehicle in the long-term fleet today. In fact, from the inception of our long-term test program it is second to none. Every car. It turns more heads than all of them. OK, make it second to one. The R8.

Now I know I'm right, but let's hear it. Based on looks alone, what's your favorite long-term car?

Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Manager @ 9,200 miles

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

Below are the fuel economy numbers for September 2009. We've listed the best, worst and overall average tanks.

As always, a couple of cars are out on the road or unavailable at the time of this writing. I'll continue to add them as they come in and let you know in the comments.

After the jump you can see the list sorted by best average MPG.

Continue reading Big List of Fuel Economy: September 2009.

Categories: 2007 Honda Civic GX,2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR,2008 Pontiac G8 GT,2009 Audi A4 Avant,2009 Audi S5,2009 BMW 750i,2009 BMW M3,2009 Dodge Challenger R/T,2009 Dodge Ram 1500,2009 Ford Flex Limited,2009 Honda Fit Sport,2009 Hyundai Genesis V6,2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD,2009 Mazda 6 i Grand Touring,2009 Nissan 370Z Touring,2009 Nissan GT-R,2009 Suzuki SX4,2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS,2010 Honda Insight EX

Nighttime is my favorite time to drive in Los Angeles. It's hard to pin down, but there's a certain vibe that only exists when the sun has gone down. The overcast sky is aglow from the city lights, the air is still and, if you're on the west side of town, there's a bit of moisture to it as well. It's a relaxing calm after your work day is done.

It's also a time when that notorious LA traffic has slimmed. It never goes away -- this is LA, after all -- but this actually plays into the drive. The roads change from congested slog fests to roads with opportunities. Work the throttle. Make a few lane changes. If you've got the right car, you're the shark working your way confidently through minnows.

The Audi S5 is one of those cars. I had it a couple nights ago. After an evening with friends, it was time to go home. But after about 10 minutes of driving, a little voice in my head said, "Dude, you've got an S5." So I indulged the voice, changed directions and headed west to pick up Pacific Coast Highway. From here I went north, winding my way along this famous road and eventually turned right to head up Topanga Canyon Blvd that takes you twisting through the hills of the Santa Monica mountain range.

The S5 was in its element on this drive, the red cabin illumination giving off a classy vibe, the adaptive xenon headlights throwing out plenty of light, the shifter moving smoothly from gate to gate and the eager V8 strumming out its refined soundtrack. Later, on my return leg, I parked the S5 on the side of the PCH and listened to the ocean's waves crashing ashore.

Los Angeles' omnipresent traffic will burn you out, so sometimes you need to make a drive like this -- and have a car like the S5 -- to remind you that being behind the wheel is still fun.

Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor 

Categories: 2009 Audi S5

I had a big junior-high crush on our long-term Audi R8. Loved that car. I'd back over editor Sadlier with our Honda Insight to have one (well, maybe.) So one might think I'd have a similar passion for our Audi S5. But so far ... meh.

Continue reading 2009 Audi S5: For $62,000, I'll Pass, Please.

Categories: 2009 Audi S5