Audi announces U.S. pricing on new A5 and S5 models
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Audi has finally released U.S. pricing on its new A5 and S5, and those of you looking to get into Audi's newest hotness can do so for the bargain price of $39,900. That's where the base A5 model will start, complete with a six-speed manual, while the S5, sporting the same stick will begin at $50,500. Throw in the six-speed Triptronic auto 'box and both prices swell by another $1,300. Naturally, both models come with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, while the A5 finds motivation from the 265 HP 3.2-liter FSI V6 and the S5 gets going under the power of the 354 HP 4.2-liter FSI V8.
You can check out all the options in the press release after the jump, and expect the manual equipped S5s to arrive at dealers in November, while the A5, A5 automatic and S5 automatic will be available in spring of '08.
[Source: Audi]
Gallery: Audi S5
Gallery: Audi A5
PRESS RELEASE
05 September 2007
AUDI ANNOUNCES U.S. PRICING FOR 2008 A5 AND S5 MODELS
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Audi of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the all-new 2008 A5 and S5 coupes. A5 models with a six-speed manual transmission will start at $39,900 and S5 models with a six-speed manual start at $50,500. Both the A5 and S5 have asymmetric quattro® all-wheel drive standard. Destination charges are $775 for both models, and are not included in the base price. Six-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmissions are available for both models and are a $1,300 option.
Manual transmission S5 models will arrive at dealers in November 2007. All A5 models and Tiptronic S5 cars will be available in spring of 2008.
The 2008 A5 is powered by 3.2 FSI V6 engine with the new Audi Valvelift System, and produces 265 hp at 6500 rpm and 243 ft.-lbs. of torque between 3250-5000 rpm. The S5 has a 4.2 FSI V8 engine making 354 hp at 6800 rpm and 325 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3500 rpm. Both engines give the new coupe breath-taking acceleration. The A5 takes just 5.8 seconds from 0-60 mph, while the S5 is an even faster 4.9 seconds.
All coupe models will come with numerous luxury features as standard such as leather covered power front seats, three-zone automatic climate control, in-dash six-CD changer and Sirius® satellite radio, electromechanical parking brake, driver info display, rain and light sensor for automatic lights and wipers, and a leather-covered, multi-function tilt and telescoping three spoke steering wheel. A5 models come with 18-inch alloy wheels while S5 models have 19-inch alloy wheels with performance tires.
The A5 has a comprehensive list of options that enhance the model in styling, comfort, and sportiness. A $1,850 Convenience package includes bi-xenon headlamps, heated front seats, HomeLink®, driver seat and mirror memory, heated, auto-dimming, and power folding exterior mirrors, and auto-dimming interior mirror with compass. For drivers who value performance, there is the $2,900 S line Sport package consisting of more aggressive front and rear bumpers with headlight washers, sport suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, sport seats, brushed aluminum interior trim, black headliner, and S line interior and exterior badging.
Options that are available on both the A5 and S5 include Audi Navigation system ($2,390), 505-watt Bang & Olufsen® audio system ($850), and Audi side assist ($500). Both models also have an available $1,700 Technology package that includes Audi rear parking system with rear-view camera, adaptive headlights, and Advanced key.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Maestro1 3:15PM (9/06/2007)
Pricey...Well I guess the A5 definitely won't be competing with the base 3-Series considering the $6,000+ increase. Wouldn't a 335i with AWD be cheaper than an A5 or S5 with Quattro?
I mean it looks hot, but the price is much more expensive than I imagined (I thought more like 30k starting). Too expensive for my blood, though I wouldn't mind one if anyone was offering :P.
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garion 3:35PM (9/06/2007)
Make this a convertible and DSG, and I'll be first in line..
srapps55 3:29PM (9/06/2007)
I think its cheaper than 335 by a good %. Its $39.9K price comes with a lot of stuff thats optional on BMW. If you put the same on BMW coupe, it would be around $45K. 328 couple with these options would be closer.
Maestro1 3:35PM (9/06/2007)
Point taken, but isn't the 328 also getting an AWD xi? If so then that would be more of a bargain wouldn't it?
Don 5:57PM (9/06/2007)
Two amazing cars standard with 6-speed manuals! Great!
Adam 3:23PM (9/06/2007)
Great video of a S5 and 335i going at it:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/autoblog-night-watch-needell-hints-at-veyron-vert-5th-gear-pe/
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esoterica 3:49PM (9/06/2007)
Yep, and a RWD 335i that can be had for $40,800 beat a $50,500 AWD S5, on a wet track that should have favored the AWD vehicle. I was expecting better from Audi.
funkey 3:26PM (9/06/2007)
hmmm, was expecting base of ~34k not 40. U can get a g35/bmw3/lexus
Dunno, since they wont be out until next year it gives me time to save up, and if the TDI gets here I will prolly pull the trigger.
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Lucas 3:31PM (9/06/2007)
Stunning car, worth the price. Seen a few in Frankfurt and they are the best looking coupes out there for the money. Plus I think Audi interiors are better than BMW's these days.
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esoterica 3:46PM (9/06/2007)
I want to like Audi, but regardless of materials quality and ergonomics, this interior is a design nightmare. It's like they were trying to have no style on the interior of the car, instead going for a completely-functional, late-80's-Honda-Accord look that's completely incongruous with the exterior. And the exterior is good except for that weird wavy line that runs down the side that heavily evokes the most recent Monte Carlo.
Plus it's way overpriced compared to the 335i.
nick 3:53PM (9/06/2007)
Comparing Audi to BMW, feature- and power-wise, the A5 is roughly equivalent to the 328xi coupe, and the S5 to the 335xi coupe (a mid-2008 model), each of which is a couple grand cheaper (although a bit lighter in horsepower as well; this goes more for the A5/328xi). Styling-wise, I think the Audi beats the Bimmer squarely, although the 3-series coupe isn't exactly an ugly duckling. Given that lots of sales in this segment are made solely on status, though, I think Audi might have a comparatively tough time selling their coupes at these price points.
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YouFaceTheTick 4:05PM (9/06/2007)
Bummer. That's so much more than a 335i via ED.
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SSBR 4:59PM (9/06/2007)
The pricing of the AWD A5 is about right. The 328xi (You have to compate the A5 to an AWD BMW as the A5 is AWD) is about 41k. If Audi really wanted to compete and take some significant marketshare away from BMW, they could release a RWD A5. That would really make things interesting.
The A5 (S5 included) looks stunning. The S5 is priced about right (When the 335xi comes out, it will probably be about $48k-49k). Audi has done a good job on pricing the new 5 models.
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YouFaceTheTick 5:11PM (9/06/2007)
Why would you compare a 328xi to an A5? It's because Audi can't build a RWD that the A5 comes with AWD. Why handicap a BMW with an AWD system? That's ludicrous.
A 328i via ED is a 30k car. A 335i via ED is about 35k. Add sport package, comfort access, metallic paint and dealer profit of 1k and you're still at 38.5k. That's a crapload cheaper than the A5, it's significantly faster and comes with things that are extra on audis - xenons, moonroof, power memory seats. Hell, tack on leather for $1500 and the 335i is still about the same price, plus it comes with 4 years free maintenance - which audi discontinued in 2006 (and it sucked...we own an Audi with it).
zamafir 10:29PM (9/06/2007)
Market-share? As in the US? As in Audi's smallest market? No, no I don't think they'll be switching gears a few decades into car making just for the smallest market they serve, especially as they've squarely beat BMW in terms of Sales et-al on their home turf. It seems to be the norm to assume US is the biggest car market for every automotive manufacture, which simply is not the case for Audi. That's unfortunately why we aren't seeing the A5 TDI stateside :/.
Dan 1:21AM (9/07/2007)
YouFaceTheTick seems to have erectile dysfunction
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polov 5:55PM (9/06/2007)
Audi is still not there with BMW in terms of driving dynamics (I own an '07 A4 and previously had an e46 328i). But I really like my Audi for what it is (great build, interior, good performer) and currently much less expensive. Pricing it so close to a great performance car without matching its performance is a mistake.
After the lease is up I'll be getting a 335i coupe.
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Crunky Crunk 6:22PM (9/06/2007)
I couldn't agree more with esoterica. Audi is supposed to be the 'benchmark' of interiors, however this looks like the designers were shooting for Asian mid-level sedans.
I do like the seats & door panels, but the dash is boring.
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Rohith 7:04PM (9/06/2007)
I don't see how anyone can really be shocked by the pricing. The current A4 3.2 quattro, the closest thing in the lineup to the A5 3.2, currently starts at $37,500, about $2,400 less than the A5. It's reasonable to assume, however, that the next-gen A4 (coming out next year, based upon the A5 chassis) will go up by $1k. So the price difference between the next-gen A4 3.2 and the A5 will likely be around $1.5K, which fits the tradition of coupes costing a bit more than their sedan counterparts.
That doesn't mean that Audi doesn't need to get their engineers doing overtime to get a better engine than the 3.2 in the A5/next A4 stat; it's pretty ridiculous that BMW and Infiniti so seriously outgun Audi (and Mercedes, with their 3.5L engine). And it's not like the 335xi pays a penalty at the pump for it's extra power; in fact, the 335xi gets 2 mpg better city mileage than the A4 3.2.
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Rohith 7:12PM (9/06/2007)
By the way, when making the price comparisons between the 328/335 and the A5 (or really any BMW against any other car), don't forget to count that BMW is still the only manufacturer that covers routine maintenance while under warranty. The cost of service isn't insignificant.
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