New Car Reviews : audi

2008 Audi S5 Review | New S5 Reviews | Audi Coupe Review

Jeffrey Ross — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Aside from the R8 supercar, the 2008 A5 and performance-enhanced S5 are by far the most attractive vehicles in Audi’s remarkable lineup. All new for 2008, the A5/S5 line provides Audi with a sporty coupe to complement the A4/S4 sedans. With its powerful engine and Autobahn-tuned suspension, the S5 is more than just eye candy. Keep reading below for a full review on the 2008 Audi A5 and S5.

When it comes to sedans, Audi has had things covered for quite a while. From the athletic A4 up to the luxurious A8, the four-ringed German manufacturer has made a name for itself creating sedans with the latest technology, luxury and performance components. Just a quick look at Audi’s recent coupe history, though, and it’s easy to see that, except for two well-built niche coupes (the TT and R8), Audi has been content on letting their competitors have all the fun in this segment.

Until now.

Sporting one of the most attractive designs among modern automobiles, Audi added the A5 and sportier S5 models to its lineup for 2008. Aside from the aforementioned coupes, the cute TT and mid-engine R8 supercar, Audi hasn’t had a practical coupe since the early 1990s. In addition to adding a competent coupe to go up against the like of the BMW 3 Series coupe, Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class or Infiniti G37, the all-new A5 adds another option for performance enthusiasts not in the market for a sedan or wagon.

The flawless execution of the 2008 Audi A5 design can be traced back to the 2003 Audi Nuvolari quattro concept car. The A5 kept the concept’s long hood and short decklid to help give the production model classic sports car proportions with a modern flair. Unlike the abundance of fender vents, ground effect kits and decklid spoilers that afflict other factory-tuned performance cars, the S5’s exterior is clean and uncluttered, yet unmistakable. The transformation from A5 to S5 would be about the same as Clark Kent just taking off his glasses to become Superman.

The minimal changes on the S5 necessary for the added performance and safety components are a testament to the solid design of the A5. Besides the obvious S5 and V-8 badges, the lower air inlets in the front fascia have been enlarged and slightly reshaped, while the reworked rear fascia reveals quad-tipped dual exhaust - twice as many outlets as the A5. In profile, the S5-specific five-spoke 19-inch wheels expose larger brake calipers emblazoned with the S5 logos, which easily overshadow the reshaped rocker panels and aluminum-clad exterior mirrors.

Even though the S5 attracted its fair share of attention while cruising around town, this performance coupe is more than just eye candy. With the same 354-horsepower, direct injected 4.2-liter FSI V-8 as the S4 variants (Cabriolet and Avant) we recently tested, the S5 delivers its maximum power at an amazing 6,800 rpm. Putting all that power to the road is Audi’s quattro® permanent all-wheel drive system, standard on both the A5 and S5, through the six-speed manual gearbox. From a dead stop, the S5 can hit 60 miles per hour in less than five seconds. The harmony between the high-pitch whine of the engine and the low rumble of the exhaust under hard acceleration provides just one more thing to love about this car.

The unfortunate part of the S5’s acceleration is the dismal fuel economy. It could be assumed that most S5 drivers won’t be feathering the accelerator or fretting over gas prices, so the 14 miles per gallon city and 21 mpg highway might be a bit conservative. The S5’s fuel economy numbers are low enough to require a gas-guzzler tax of $1,300.

The low-slung Audi handles corners with ease; the steering is effortless and precise, while the bigger brakes provide quicker stops than the A5. The almost-prefect 51/49 weight distribution gives the S5 nimble, confident handling and feels at home in twisting S-curves. While brick-paved roads

Inside, the four-passenger S5 provides a perfect balance between sport and luxury. As much as we liked the S4’s interior, the S5 is practically flawless. The positioning of buttons and controls was only sligh The front seats were able to match the car’s double duty as luxury sports coupe. Over long trips, the seats were supportive and comfortable, but when testing the cars acceleration and handling, the seats provided sufficient side bolstering as well as adjustable thigh support.

On paper, the S5 is listed as a four-passenger vehicle, but after a quick inspection, it becomes obvious the rear two passengers would have to be quite small to fit comfortably. On a short trip, we had an average-sized male passenger ride in the back, and the cramped headroom and legroom forced our backseat passenger to sit diagonally across the seat. One area the S5 had surprising room was in the trunk. Despite the short decklid, the 2008 Audi S5 can store up to 16.1 cubic feet of cargo – more than the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class.

The starting MSRP for the S5 is $50,500, but our well-equipped test model, which included the navigation system ($2,390) with the helpful Multi Media Interface (MMI), technology package ($1,700) featuring adaptive headlights and rear parking system with rearview camera, Bang & Olufsen® premium sound system ($850) and gas-guzzler tax and destination charge, had a $57,515 price tag. Even at this price, the well-equipped S5 seems like quite a bargain when compared against the M3 or CLK550 despite giving up a few horses.

After a week in the S5, the only thing that disappointed us about Audi’s all-new S5 is the rumor of a cabriolet version on the horizon. With a profile like this, it would be a shame to see this car go topless.

Review written by: Jeffrey N. Ross
All photos copyright Jeffrey N. Ross/Autotropolis.com © 2008

2008 Audi S4 Avant Review | New S4 Reviews | Audi Station Wagon Review

Jeffrey Ross — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:23:00 GMT

The 2008 Audi S4 Avant is a performance-minded station wagon that is ready and eager for track duty with enough cargo room available to make a run to the nearest home improvement store afterward. With its high-horsepower V-8 engine and sport-tuned suspension, the S4 Avant is for anyone who has ever wished that sports cars could hold more than a small set of golf clubs. Keep reading below for a full review on the 2008 Audi S4 Avant.

Few words in the automotive world come with such a pariah as “station wagon.” Yes, “gas guzzler” and “minivan” both carry negative connotations to some, but then again big trucks and SUVs are stilling selling (albeit slower each day) and minivans are continue to be the vehicle of choice in school drop-off lanes.

In Europe, however, station wagons are generally referred to as estate cars and, ironically, are pretty popular. Semantics or not, station wagons are about as popular in Europe as crossover SUVs are here in the States.

Audi took things a step further by creating its own name for the station wagon – Avant – and applied it to its top-selling A4/S4 line, which also includes cabriolet and sedan models. Intent on avoiding any terms associating the S4 with a run of the mill grocery getter, Audi gave the S4 Avant a powerful engine, sport-tuned suspension and a stylish, yet restrained designed. With the market shifting away from large, bulky SUVs and a growing number of manufacturers introducing station wagon variants of popular sedan models, Audi may have a unique hit on its hands with the high-performance 2008 S4 Avant.

Station wagons may have had their peak during the pre-minivan era here in the States, but the look and feel of the S4 Avant is reminiscent of classic American muscle cars. Similar to the S4 sedan, the Avant has a design that design that is simple and proportionate and uses minor cues to add to its performance stance. Visually, the S4 Avant uses a crisp crease just below the beltline to avoid a slab-sided body, while the blacked-out B- and C-pillars further add to the clean, unsuspecting look. In fact, the 2008 S4 Avant could have easily been the poster child for a classic sleeper if not for the attention-grabbing Imola Yellow paint scheme (a $750 option) – good news for drivers looking to get noticed, but bad news for drivers looking to anonymously explore all of the throaty V-8’s 340 horses.

Only minor differences distinguish the S4 Avant from its A4 counterpart avoiding the unnecessary, gaudy clutter that curse most factory-tuned cars. Aside from the lower ride height, the only main visual cues to the upgraded status of Audi’s performance wagon are the quad-tipped dual exhaust outlets, lower door-mounted rocker panel enhancements, aluminum exterior mirrors and roof rails and, finally, the S4-specific brake calipers that proudly display the S4 logo. Audi’s Convenience Package finishes off the look of the S4 Avant by adding Adaptive Front Lighting to the Bi-Xenon headlights and 18-inch, seven-double spoke wheels wrapped in Continental high-performance rubber.

On a clear, sunny Florida afternoon, Clearwater’s Sunshine Dragstrip opened up its lanes to us. While the sport-tuned suspension is probably more at home on a road course, the S4 Avant did not disappoint in straight acceleration - going from 0-60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. Compared to the Cabriolet, the Avant benefited from a solid roof and was 200 pounds lighter making it feel even faster off the line and more nimble when taking corners. The S4-emblazoned calipers not only looked good, but also helped bring the Avant to a stop with no noticeable fade.

After testing the S4 Cabriolet a few weeks ago, we couldn’t help but appreciate how effortless power was sent from the pedal to the pavement. The Avant’s drivetrain was the same as the Cabriolet and left us with the same level of satisfaction. The 4.2-liter V-8 still put out a high-revving 340 horsepower (peaking at 7,000 rpm), the six-speed manual provided smooth, effortless shifts sending power to all four wheels via Audi’s famed quattro® permanent all-wheel drive system.

With all its raw power and handling capabilities, something had to give with the S4 Avant. Driving full throttle into turns and quick zero to 60 mph jaunts might be fun, but the resulting fuel mileage can cause a slight pain at the pump. With EPA estimates of 13 mpg city and 20 mpg highway, the only thing more agonizing than watching the gas gauge drop is filling the 16.6–gallon gas tank with premium unleaded only. But then again, this is no economy car and it almost begs to be driven hard as often as possible. The required gas-guzzler tax adds $1,700 to the 2008 S4 Avant’s final price.

Inside, the offers Recaro® seats with Alcantara inserts and optional ($400) carbon fiber trim surrounding the shifter and cutting through the middle of the instrument panel and door trim panels to continue the car’s sporty theme. For the front passengers, sport bucket seats provided racecar-like bolstering without creating an overly harsh or uncomfortable ride, while all seats benefit from the luxurious look and feel of the suede-like Alcantara seat inserts. Offering up to 59 cubic feet of cargo space (27.8 cubic feet with the rear seat up), the S4 Avant is not only fun to run errands in, but it’s also useful.

Convenience and enjoyment are recurring themes inside the Avant with our test model being equipped with the optional ($1,950) navigation system and a Bose premium sound system with Sirius satellite radio. Changing and/or viewing stereo settings, navigation route guidance and system options are easy for the driver thanks to the dials mounted on the steering wheel and viewable in the instrument cluster digital display.

Besides the seats and a slightly different instrument panel, the S4 Avant had an interior that was almost identical to the 2007 S4 Cabriolet we previously tested. Unfortunately, our main complaint about the Cabriolet’s interior was also present in the Avant. The placement of the parking brake lever under the height-adjustable center console made setting and releasing the parking brake feel awkward and unnatural. In a car with such a refined interior, it’s rather disappointing that such an obvious conflict of space is present.

One glaring weak point in the otherwise flawless design of the A4/S4 line is its crash-test rating. Although receiving a good rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Avant and Sedan models a four-star rating for frontal-impact and rollover protection (side-impact crash tests resulted in a five-star rating for front passenger protection and four stars for rear passenger protection).

As was the case with the S4 Cabriolet, drivers looking for the high-performance version of the A4 Avant need to come up with a considerable premium over the standard four-cylinder variant’s asking price. The base A4 Avant model starts at $32,000, while the S4 Avant and all its performance glory have a starting MSRP of $49,610. Toss in the all the option upgrades and the 2008 Audi S4 Avant we drove had an as-tested price of $57,310.

Premises courtesy of Sunshine Dragstrip of Clearwater, Fla.

Review written by: Jeffrey N. Ross
All photos copyright Jeffrey N. Ross/Autotropolis.com © 2008

2007 Audi S4 Cabriolet Review | New S4 Reviews | Audi Convertible Review

Jeffrey Ross — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:08:00 GMT

The Audi S4 Cabriolet is a performance-minded vehicle that also offers the enjoyment of top down driving. With its high-horsepower engine and sport-tuned suspension, the S4 Cabriolet feels like a car meant for race days, but with the look and attitude perfect for a Friday night out on the town. Keep reading below for a full review on the 2007 Audi S4 Cabriolet.

With all the topless cars we’ve been featuring lately, we could probably rename the column Cars Gone Wild. From the small and sporty Mazda MX-5 to the spacious and luxurious Volkswagen Eos, our recent reviews of drop tops have offered completely varying experiences.

Up next, a convertible bred for the Autobahn offering a luxurious interior and stuffed with a powerful V-8 - the Audi S4 Cabriolet.

The 2007 Audi S4 Cabriolet is a perfect example of what happens when a manufacturer lets its performance technology trickle down to everyday models. Building off Audi’s success in various levels of automotive racing, Audi has created competent rivals to BMW’s M vehicles and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG vehicles with their own performance brand, the S- and RS-line. Upon applying the S-line performance enhancements to the mild-mannered A4, Audi had a car that performs even better than it looks.

From a mere performance standpoint, the S4 feels like a pure sports car. Powering the S4 Cabriolet is a 4.2-liter DOHC V-8 that produces 340 horsepower and 302 lb-ft of torque. Upon acceleration, the S4 roars up to its 7,000-rpm redline where it finds its peak horsepower as the quad chrome-tipped dual exhaust belts out an enjoyable, yet aggressive, note. The S4’s sport-tuned suspension provides stiffer shocks and stronger stabilizers for increased handling and cornering, while Audi’s famed quattro® permanent all-wheel drive system helps to keep all that power under control.

Running from 0-60 mph in the mid five second range, the S4 is a quick and agile vehicle. Although Audi’s six-speed Tiptronic transmission is available for duty, we’re glad the car we tested was equipped with the six-speed manual transmission that provided smooth, effortless and precise shifting. While “cowl shake” and “body roll” are commonly associated with convertibles, the S4 is both solid and steady whether it’s being taken over bumpy roads or driven hard into tight corners.

Visually, the S4 Cabriolet varies little from the basic A4’s already stunning looks. Apart from the athletic stance that is 30 mm lower than a stock A4, Audi limited the S4’s exterior upgrades to keep the car’s clean, stylish look in tact. In addition to the S4-specific front calipers peering out from behind the 18-inch, seven twin-spoke alloy wheels, S4 badges grace the decklid and Audi’s trademark grille, while small “V8” badges under the side marker lights reaffirm what rests under the hood.

While most soft-top convertibles have a less inspiring design than their steel-topped counterparts do, the S4 Cabriolet offers a very attractive profile. The roofline has a slight upward curve that not only improves the S4 visually, but it also adds an increased sense of interior space.

Inside, the bright red leather interior features black stitching and beautifully complements our S4’s Ibis White exterior, while carbon fiber accents adorn the instrument panel, center console and door trim. From the driver’s seat, all of the controls are easy to reach and to operate. A large tachometer and speedometer flank the digital information system, while smaller temperature and fuel level gauges finish off the instrument cluster. The S4-specific tachometer bumps the redline from 6,500, on the regular A4 models, up to 7,000, which the ferocious V-8 isn’t afraid to hit.

Our only complaints about the S4 Cabriolet’s interior are the awkward placement of the parking brake lever and speed control stalk. The armrest itself is quite useful providing a small amount of storage and is height adjustable. Unfortunately, when it comes time to park, the armrest gets in the way of the parking brake lever making the motion of setting the parking brake not as fluid as one would expect. As for the speed control stalk, first timers may find a bit of a challenge in operating the speed control due to the stalk being located directly behind the left spoke of the steering wheel (when the wheel is straight). Once accustomed to the positions of the various buttons, the cruise control is easy to engage with the left hand.

Cruising with the top down is the only reason to buy a convertible in the first place, and the S4 transforms from a quiet coupe to open-air luxury in just 24 seconds. With the top up, the S4 Cabriolet is surprisingly quiet - sounding almost as quiet as its solid-topped brethren. Even dropping the top on a nice sunny day won’t result in the necessity for blaring the optional Bose radio or loss of conversation. At highway speeds, there is no problem holding a conversation without yelling or hearing a moderately tuned radio especially with the windows up and, even better, with the removable wind deflector in place over the rear seats.

Despite the fact that many manufacturers are switching to retractable hardtops, the A4 Cabriolet lineup continues to use a cloth top. Ample headroom is available for both front- and rear-seat passengers, although the long-legged passengers may want to avoid the rear seats. Up front, passengers get up to 37.8 inches of headroom and 41.3 inches of legroom; in back, headroom drops to 36.3 inches, while legroom shrinks to just 32.4 inches.

Being a performance car with a heavy price tag, anyone in the market for an Audi S4 Cabriolet should not be squeamish when it comes time to fill ‘er up. The lovely, rev-happy, powerful aforementioned V-8 gets has an EPA rating of just 14 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. Running on premium unleaded only, it’s not exactly cheap to fill the 16.6-gallon fuel tank.

The performance and luxury attributes of the S4 Cabriolet don’t come cheap. The 2007 S4 we tested had a starting MSRP of $55,700 and came with a laundry list of optional features and a $1,700 gas-guzzler tax for an as-tested price of $64,100.

2007 Audi S4 Cabriolet Pictures and Wallpapers

Review written by: Jeffrey N. Ross
All photos copyright Jeffrey N. Ross/Autotropolis.com © 2008