Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Audi
Audi S5 surfaces in wake of leaked A5 images

click above image to view 5 high-resolution images of the Audi S5
Images of the Audi A5 have been traveling around the internet at light speed since they were discovered some time yesterday, but this afternoon five more images of the high performance S5 model showed up to steal the spotlight. According to the Audi experts at Fourtitude.com, the S5 will likely feature a version of the A5's 4.2L V8 with FSI, Audi's Valvelift technology and a corresponding bump in power. Clearly the styling has been tweaked to be more aggressive with a modified front fascia that includes the string of LED daytime running lights that have become trademark ware for these models. A strip of what appears to be polished aluminum now adorns both the center of the front chin spoiler and the bottom of the rear bumper where, out back, it's flanked by a pair of dual tailpipes. The interior also appears to gain additional silver and carbon fiber accent trim. Will this hotted up A5 have the cajones to take on the BMW M3 Coupe? That remains to be seen, but we're left a little underwhelmed by the subtle visual modifcations apparent in these pics.
[Source: Fourtitude]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael Karesh 2:22PM (2/20/2007)
Shocking, a great-looking Audi.
This will certainly change things for the brand, since people usually buy Audis for their reliability rep, not their looks.
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Baapo 2:42PM (2/20/2007)
Its surprising that people are saying the sales of the A5 and S5 will be impacted by the G35 coupe, BMW 3 series etc, when these cars fall in a totally different bracket...
The A5 and S5 are competing against the Merc CL, BMW 6 series et al
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MJL 2:49PM (2/20/2007)
The rear looks like a BMW 8-series, which is a appropriate given that BMW stole the droopy tail-light design from Audi for the rear of the 3-series coupe.
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jason seto 2:56PM (2/20/2007)
the strip of LED's is on the a5 as well, check the photos
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Chris 3:29PM (2/20/2007)
Now the questions beg, RS5???? That would be sweet! The M3 Coupe is the ultimate target, so you need an RS5, to make it complete!
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thisislame 3:35PM (2/20/2007)
No BMW.
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Dave 4:14PM (2/20/2007)
I'm sure it will sell - but doesn't make me want one based on looks. I really don't care for that crease that sweeps up towards the rear wheel well. That is too feminine a design trait for an Audi - it would look more at home on a Jaguar - although I still wouldn't like it.
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dcsbeemer 4:15PM (2/20/2007)
Looks like a melted A4... I think it would've looked better with straight lines along the sides.
I think the A5 will be competing against the 3Ci and CLK as well, not 6 and CL.
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Big jim 4:28PM (2/20/2007)
ah, a German Muscle Car. Perfect. I'm buying one
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Daniel 4:28PM (2/20/2007)
A not very dynamic looking car. It's a bit hyundaish.
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Fabulo 4:55PM (2/20/2007)
Same as Daniel here. Nice Tiburon.
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P. Andco 4:57PM (2/20/2007)
Everyone thinks this is a 3-series coupe competitor, but size wise, it's really not. And it's definetely smaller than the 6-series (and will cost much less). The A5's main competitor is the MB CLK-not as small as an A4 but not as big as an A6. I don't think this design is groundbraking, like the R8, but it will do well at market.
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NoNameDenton 5:27PM (2/20/2007)
A bigger engine might have been better, like the V10, but it might not be able to fit in the bay, oh well, guess I will have to do with FSI and valevelift technology
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bgdc 5:41PM (2/20/2007)
Unlike the e9x M3, this car looks adult, fully engineered and classy. The e9x M3 builds off the hideous e90 and wretched e92...hard to take a duckling and turn it into an eagle.
Given Audi's recent interest in making cars light again (the new TT is remarkable just for being under 3k lbs), there's hope this A5 won't suffer from the same overweight bloat as the e9xs.
BTW, i own an e90, so it's not sour grapes. BMW's new cars are fun to drive but they're big, heavy and very isolated.
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Milos 6:25PM (2/20/2007)
stil very bland, even with the R8 headlight style
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Bryan 7:33PM (2/20/2007)
Audi is still dragging their feet. This design language was cool at the end of the 90's. It has been going on waaay too long. That interior is hideous, it resembles and oldsmobile dash from the 90's as well. This is why Audi cannot propell itself ahead of others. That and the horrific reliability. The TT coupe was the most stylish and cool car they ever made. BMW still owns them, ad well as Mercedes. Shoot, even Cadillacs look better!
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Tal 7:49PM (2/20/2007)
It has a little of the R8 front end which is awesome.Will it be a performer as well ?
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Quattrofan 8:27PM (2/20/2007)
To all of you naysayers: Pics often do not do justice. I'd keep my mouth shut till I see one in person and maybe more suitable color and wheel package.
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SOhp101 10:00PM (2/20/2007)
To those of you who don't realize: this is a CLK competitor. The dimensions, performance, price range ALL compete well against the CLK.
BMW felt the need to have a 'cheaper coupe' and a more upscale one, hence the 3 coupe and the 6 coupe. With the advent of the new, more upscale 3 series coupe, everyone knows the 6 series will increase likewise. But now that BMW has decided to make the coupe bigger/more powerful/more luxurious/ definitely more expensive, it makes more sense to compare all three (3 series coupe, A5, CLK), even though in the past the CLK was compared to the 6 series.
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MikeW 11:31PM (2/20/2007)
7000rpm redline, doesn't sound like Audi ValveLift system.
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