The new-generation Audi A5 ‘Saloon’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Not only does it have to replace the old A5 Sportback, but it’s also serving as a replacement for the old A4 Saloon. The regular A5 models are joined by a high-performance S5 from launch, which serves as a kind of rival for the BMW M340i Saloon and M440i Gran Coupe all at once.
We’ve already sampled the A5 Saloon in one of its more conventional forms at its international launch event, and we’ve come away impressed, but will the more performance-orientated S5 prove even more appealing?
What does the new Audi S5 look like?
Just like the A5 Saloon, the new S5 Saloon is not quite a ‘saloon’. In fact, it’s more of a fastback, with a five-door layout and a sloping roofline. And it’s less angular than the old A4 or A5, with a more aerodynamic and rounded shape, as well as the new grille and the rear lights with a choice of different ‘signatures’.
But that’s all standard A5 stuff, so the S5 is set apart by its big wheels and its sporty body styling, complete with bespoke bumpers and grille, as well as sports suspension. There are four tailpipes, too, and S5 badging on the boot lid.
A look inside the Audi S5
Unsurprisingly, the S5’s interior is more or less the same as that of the standard A5, albeit with a few little tweaks. You get sporty aluminium pedals and a sports steering wheel, as well as sports seats and some S badging. But the overall design is unchanged, with the massive, curved housing for the instrument cluster and touchscreen, and the option of a passenger display alongside them.
Audi has clearly tried to clean lots of buttons out of the S5’s cabin, leaving the touchscreen to do most of the hard work, but it still isn’t exactly a minimalist design, with lots of different materials and angles. That doesn’t stop it from looking and feeling premium, though, because the materials are largely very good, and they’re nicely stuck together.
However, just like the standard A5, the S5 models have some ergonomic problems, chief among which is the buttons on the steering wheel. They’re tiny, they’re too easy to press accidentally, and they don’t feel all that upmarket. And we aren’t great fans of the indicator stalks, or the touchscreen heater switchgear, although they are at least better than most other touch-sensitive controls we’ve seen in recent years.
Fortunately, though, the S5 is just as practical as the A5, with the same 445-litre boot and the same amount of rear space. At the moment, you can’t get the S5 as an Avant estate unless you import one from the UK, but while the Saloon’s boot is smaller than those of its rivals, rear legroom is acceptable, and headroom will only be an issue for the tallest back-seat passengers.
The Audi A5’s on-board technology
Obviously, the similarities between the A5 and S5’s interiors run more than skin deep, so much of the on-board technology is also the same. That's a mixed blessing, however, because some of the tech has disappointed us slightly.
The digital instrument cluster, for example, doesn’t have the same level of functionality and configuration as that of the old A5, and though it’s sharper and larger, it feels like less of a USP. The same goes for the touchscreen, which might have plenty of features and sharp graphics, but isn’t as easy to navigate as it once was. And though the touchscreen climate control system might be good by the standards of its rivals, it would be better still if it used physical buttons. You really don’t want to be faffing about with a screen when you’re pelting down a good back road.
All that said, there are two rays of high-tech sunshine in the S5’s cabin, including the head-up display, which is pin sharp and has all the information you need, and the optional passenger display. That screen has a dumbed-down version of the central touchscreen’s software, and it’s better as a result, with less confusing menus. It’s still fully integrated, though, so you can still access the media settings, for example. Whether you want your passenger doing that is another question, but never mind...
How fast is the Audi S5?
For the time being, at least, the S5 is the pinnacle of the A5 range, and it comes with a suitably sizeable engine as a result. It’s a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 that produces a healthy 367hp and 550Nm of torque, which heads to all four wheels via the seven-speed automatic gearbox. That engine makes a lovely growl, but it’s really there to drag the S5 to outrageous speed at a vast rate of knots. Despite the car’s bulk, it’ll haul itself from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds and on to the obligatory top speed of 250km/h, which means it’s faster than a Porsche Panamera.
Obviously, that means it’s the least efficient model in the A5 range. Officially, the S5 will burn around seven-and-a-half litres of petrol every 100km, which is noticeably more than a conventional 2.0-litre version will guzzle, but we doubt anyone will choose the S5 to save money on fuel.
They might, however, choose it to be a smoother and more aurally appealing A5 that doesn’t go too overboard with the sporty styling. The V6 is smooth when you want it to be and only makes a noise when you ask it to, so it feels quite aristocratic and sophisticated, whereas the four-cylinder, 2.0-litre engines drone a bit at higher speeds. And the seven-speed gearbox is a really slick and impressive unit.
Driving the Audi S5
Generally speaking, the new A5 is much closer to its German rivals - the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class - in terms of driving dynamics than the old A4 ever was, and nowhere is that truer than with the S5 version.
With sportier suspension, it is a little firmer than the standard A5, but then the base car is comfortable enough that Audi could afford some sacrifices. Even in S5 form, the Audi isn’t quite as stiff as a comparable BMW M440i, so it rides the bumps relatively well and it becomes more supple as the speed builds. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the same compliance as a 2.0-litre A5 around town, but we guess most buyers won’t mind that too much.
And the trade-off for that is an improvement in body control in corners, where the S5 feels nicely planted and very stable, albeit in quite an inert sort of way. It never really threatens to misbehave, and though the steering is predictable and linear, it isn’t all that engaging. Nevertheless, with plenty of grip on offer, you can corner pretty quickly in the S5, and though it won’t reward you with much involvement, it won’t complain about it either. It’s a very capable thing. Couple all that with the V6 engine and the S5 is a great car in which to cover long distances, particularly on fast, flowing country roads.
How safe is the Audi S5?
Neither the S5 nor the A5 on which it is based has been assessed by Euro NCAP, the European independent safety organisation, so we can’t say how safe they are with any real confidence. However, we do know that Audi has been performing well in crash tests of late, with lots of five-star ratings, and we’ve no reason to suspect the A5 and S5 will be any different.
Especially as Audi has fitted so much safety equipment as standard. The S5 comes with lots of toys, including a reversing camera and lane departure warning, as well as autonomous emergency braking that will stop the car automatically if the driver doesn’t respond to a hazard. However, it also gets the speed limit assistance tech that’s mandatory but often inaccurate, and that can be a pain in the you-know-what. Still, at least it’s relatively easy to switch it off.
How many child seats can you fit in an Audi S5?
Like most executive saloons, including the standard A5, the S5 has two ISOFIX child seat mounting points in the rear, allowing a pair of child seats to be fitted side-by-side. That isn’t unusual, but more surprising is the decision to put a third ISOFIX in the front passenger seat. You may or may not use it, but it gives you more flexibility from the Audi.
How much does the Audi S5 cost in Ireland?
While the basic A5 costs a fairly appealing €55,700, the Audi S5 comes in at an eye-watering €98,900. And for that money, the main additions are the 3.0-litre engine and all-wheel-drive system, but there are some specification upgrades as well. In addition to the sporty styling and big wheels, you also get sports suspension and sports seats, with a generally sportier interior ambience thanks to quilted upholstery and sports pedals. And there’s a packed kit list that includes climate control, navigation, heated seats and the same two-screen layout as the normal A5’s dash.
If you want to add to that, you can get a number of packages. The Tech Plus package (€5,486) adds the passenger display, some extra safety tech and upgraded three-zone climate control, while the Tech Pro package (€10,912) adds even more equipment, including electric steering wheel adjustment and heated rear seats.
The reasons you’d buy an Audi S5
Although it’s the sportiest option in the A5 range so far, the S5 is very much a halfway house between a properly sporty saloon and a more conventional model, but that doesn’t stop it from appealing. The engine is great, and the driving experience is closer to that of the BMW M340i than the old S4 ever managed. Overall, it’s a forward step for Audi, and while it doesn’t quite beat the BMW at its own game, the S5 is a more compelling rival to its compatriot than ever before.
Ask us anything about the Audi S5
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