2010 Audi S5 Quattro Cabriolet
The new 3.0L supercharged V-6 of the 2010 S5 Cabriolet and S4 sedan from Audi seems to be the engine that puts the last nail in the coffin of the typical V-8. With 333 hp and 325 lb-ft, it is 20 horses short of the power number of the 4.2L V-8.
The ragtop of the S5 is only 0.5 sec slower from 0-60 miles per hour than the V-8 S5 coupe and V-8 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG. In the 0.24 mile, it is 0.5 less speedy than the hardtop S5, 0.8 sec slower than the Mercedes-Benz. The new engine of the Cabriolet seems on the edge for the fresh CAFE order, with 17/26 mpg according to EPA, vs. 16/24 for the S5 V-8 coupe with an S tronic and 14/22 for the manual. The manual S4 sedan with supercharged 3.0 rates 18/27 mpg and 18/28 with S tronic.Reduction of enginesize is the coming Big Thing. Audi surpassed BMW, which is returning to6 cylinders for the M3.
The 3.0 TFSI has direct gas injection and an intercooled supercharger –the “T” usually means “turbocharged” in Audi and VW engines, but it seems that SFSI does not sound sporty enough. Audi has made it sound like the fraction of a V-8 slayer, with higher pitch. Abrappy sound is emphasized by back-pressure babbles during up-shifts of the 7-speed S tronic double-clutch transmission, whenever you get toughon the throttle.
The face-lifted 2010 A6 sedan from Audi is offered with afresh supercharged 3.0, detuned to 299 hp. Even in the bigger, weightyvehicle, the engine is good enough for any other non-tuner V-8 rivalry, whether Mercedes-Benz E550, BMW 550i, or even Audi’s 4.2-L-powered A6. The average was 21.9 mpg.
The ragtop of the S5 is not a stronger competitor of the BMW M as much as it is for the Mercedes AMG. It is quiteheavier and bigger than a BMW 3 Series/M3, it also seems a little more at ease, more similar to a large AMG Benz. Like all Audi vehicles, the brakes give the feeling that they can stop a train on a dime. The 60-0-miles per hourbeat the Benz SLK55 by 9 feet and the Lexus SC 430 by fourteen. The 7-speed S tronicis stillprobably the best double clutch on the market. Yet, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT offersa lot of grip and sufficiently stiff suspension for slick handling and flat cornering. If you are looking for a calmer convertible, searchsomewhere else. The suspension of the S5 feels rigid over road flaws, and the auto feels a little heavy. Steering is direct and fast, and givesfineresponding. Cowl shake is negligible. It is a unibodyauto that was designed as a coupe in the first place.
