The ultimate stereo?
Usually, in a fight between the stereo system and a throaty V8, the V8 wins the higher position on the volume dial. S5's Bang and Olufsen stereo system puts up a heck of an argument though- delivering vibrant, crisp and bright sound that puts your favorite band to work right on the dashboard. The bass rattles teeth but not a single creak escaped any of the interior panels. From Pink Floyd to Fifty Cent, it always sounded fantastic.
After the Fall sun, the snow...
It had been unusually warm for early January up North, and the above-zero temperatures left the backroads connecting Whitefish to Narin Centre a slushy, icy and badly-rutted mess.
The lightly travelled route is dotted with some great Northern Ontario scenery and a selection of sweeping bends and straight-aways where the latest car to wear Audi's "S" badge could stretch its legs.
Even through the worst of these roads, the sport-tuned suspension gracefully pitter-pattered over top, allowing little more than a bit of suspension noise into the cabin. For something so grippy, it's got a fantastic ride. Whoever designed this suspension deserves a steak and a few pints of Warsteiner.
In fast corners, the steering exhibits a heaviness appropriate for the car's weight and 'touring' intentions. S5 doesn't feel like an excessively light and nimble machine-but it does corner viciously, and the solid and beefy steering gives drivers a sense of bonding with the road rather than simply flying over it.
Give the velvety 352 horsepower V8 some room, and it'll happily wind up to over 7000 RPM- though the acceleration and fluttering, building-penetrating rumble is most impressive in the mid-range. Gears were shifted by a quick six-speed stick that offered a fast action but proved a little too rubbery.
Open the throttle and S5 glides onwards with urgency, leaping from one gear into the next. Hit any combination of snow, ice, pavement or sand in the process, and the Quattro system instantly adapts and leaves drivers to enjoy nothing more than seamless, liquid power delivery while the tailpipes gush pure aural testosterone.
They also gush the remnants of about 18 litres of super-unleaded every hundred clicks or so when you push. Overall mileage averaged a respectable 14L / 100km.
An instant classic?
All said and done, this isn't a machine that's going to sell you on a coupe if you prefer a sedan. At 5"10, it fit me like a glove- though dismal rear passenger room may disqualify it from your list right off the get go. Shame that is...because S5 is ultimately a potent, sexy, very well made and addictive sports car that you don't have to garage in wintertime. If that's your thing, only $65,900 stands in your way.
photo:Justin Pritchard, Chris Pritchard, Philippe Champoux
Usually, in a fight between the stereo system and a throaty V8, the V8 wins the higher position on the volume dial. S5's Bang and Olufsen stereo system puts up a heck of an argument though- delivering vibrant, crisp and bright sound that puts your favorite band to work right on the dashboard. The bass rattles teeth but not a single creak escaped any of the interior panels. From Pink Floyd to Fifty Cent, it always sounded fantastic.
After the Fall sun, the snow...
It had been unusually warm for early January up North, and the above-zero temperatures left the backroads connecting Whitefish to Narin Centre a slushy, icy and badly-rutted mess.
The lightly travelled route is dotted with some great Northern Ontario scenery and a selection of sweeping bends and straight-aways where the latest car to wear Audi's "S" badge could stretch its legs.
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| Few German cars pack this much visual firepower. |
Even through the worst of these roads, the sport-tuned suspension gracefully pitter-pattered over top, allowing little more than a bit of suspension noise into the cabin. For something so grippy, it's got a fantastic ride. Whoever designed this suspension deserves a steak and a few pints of Warsteiner.
In fast corners, the steering exhibits a heaviness appropriate for the car's weight and 'touring' intentions. S5 doesn't feel like an excessively light and nimble machine-but it does corner viciously, and the solid and beefy steering gives drivers a sense of bonding with the road rather than simply flying over it.
Give the velvety 352 horsepower V8 some room, and it'll happily wind up to over 7000 RPM- though the acceleration and fluttering, building-penetrating rumble is most impressive in the mid-range. Gears were shifted by a quick six-speed stick that offered a fast action but proved a little too rubbery.
Open the throttle and S5 glides onwards with urgency, leaping from one gear into the next. Hit any combination of snow, ice, pavement or sand in the process, and the Quattro system instantly adapts and leaves drivers to enjoy nothing more than seamless, liquid power delivery while the tailpipes gush pure aural testosterone.
They also gush the remnants of about 18 litres of super-unleaded every hundred clicks or so when you push. Overall mileage averaged a respectable 14L / 100km.
An instant classic?
All said and done, this isn't a machine that's going to sell you on a coupe if you prefer a sedan. At 5"10, it fit me like a glove- though dismal rear passenger room may disqualify it from your list right off the get go. Shame that is...because S5 is ultimately a potent, sexy, very well made and addictive sports car that you don't have to garage in wintertime. If that's your thing, only $65,900 stands in your way.
photo:Justin Pritchard, Chris Pritchard, Philippe Champoux
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