2010 Audi S5 Quattro

Stylish sport coupe for driving enthusiasts

By Nina Russin

Audi S5

The S is the performance grade of the Audi A5 coupe. Last year, the A5 edged out the Lexus IS F to win our Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year award in the luxury category. Athletes loved the A5’s styling and exceptional handling.

The S5 replaces the V6 engine on the Audi A5 with a 4.2-liter V8, giving it stronger acceleration. Zero-to-sixty times are 4.9 seconds for models with the six-speed manual gearbox, and 5.1 seconds with the Tiptronic.  Given that the less powerful A5 is a wonderful car, the S5 becomes ‘wonderful squared.’

Styling is classic Audi: a long bullet-shaped hood and snub rear end, with the automaker’s signature trapezoidal grille. Strings of LEDs below the xenon headlamps function as daytime running lamps, and punctuate the front end. A strong beltline gives the profile extra muscle. Large wheel arches frame 19-inch wheels with low-profile tires. Read the rest of this entry »