Audi S5 test drive since 2007

Red fever

In my opinion, the red color is very to her face. For the test, I took just such a bright car, and therefore a noticeable and once again testifying to the outstanding character of the owner. Although in a restrained dark color that emphasizes elegance, the compartment looks excellent for the photo, compare. So far, I will pay attention to the fact that, despite the obvious sports ambitions of the brand compartment in the model range, there was not enough. The TT, which sank into the Audi S2 fly, whose production ceased in 1996, here and everything that was offered by the manufacturer from Ingolstadt until recently. Now another thing: more recently, the AI \u200b\u200bintroduced readers to the Audi R8 sports car, and literally a couple of weeks later I got another 2-door novelty, A5 compartment, and in the hottest version S5.


The work of the master

Audi A5 for me the most beautiful car of all that I have ever created is declared by the chief designer of Audi Walter de Silva. And I will not argue with him. The Italian meter managed to bring to the design of Audi cars that healthy aggression and sports, which did not get the brand so much. The smooth contours of the body, the elongated silhouette, the feeling of the inspiration frozen in every detail, is what the author’s style of de Silva is, and now what is the A5 compartment. Long wheelbase, short overhangs, alternating concave and convex surfaces give models of the form of the Grand Tourismo car. True, evil languages \u200b\u200bhave already managed to blame Audi of plagiarism, claiming that the back of the car, and primarily lighting equipment, strongly resemble the BMW coupe of the 3rd series. But this is a very controversial statement.
 
The charged version, S5, is even more aggressive. Chrome in the lattice and the lower part of the bumper, successfully inscribed in the silhouette of an aerodynamic body kit, large 18-inch wheels with low-profile tires of 245/40 and two double-sided exhaust systems, all sported on the sides of the stern! And what about inside?


General idea

I can honestly say that Audi salons are always not particularly pleased. Not in the sense of any ergonomic omissions or quality, but in terms of style of interior decoration, which has changed little from the model to the model. For example, you can sit in A6, then climb A8 and hardly find ten differences. Unification, of course, is great to reduce costs, but the general idea can tire. Therefore, it is pleasant that the designers tried to endow the interior S5 at least some kind of originality.
 
Yes, the front panel and the bagel, the central console and the tunnel between the driver and the passenger are very reminiscent of the already mentioned A6. However, in the case of the compartment, the creators slightly deployed the console to the driver, trying to emphasize his dominance and hinting at sports. This is also evidenced by the instrument shield with the arrows of the tachometer and speedometer lowered downward, which, alas, again resemble Audi, but already R8.
 
However, we will not be too picky and admit that in general, the interior S5 makes a very pleasant impression. It correlates well with the general style of the model and has a good level of manufacture. True, for some reason a pen in the driver's door was jerked in a test coupe, but this is so, small flaws. There are no complaints about the accuracy of fitting the remaining parts, the quality of plastic and finishing materials.
 
You can not complain about the ergonomics of the salon. The driver's seat is convenient and has developed lateral support; It is equipped with all the necessary adjustments, including the ability to change the degree of lumbar backup and the length of the pillow. Moreover, despite a small overall height, a fairly tall person will be able to get behind the wheel due to the low location of the chair itself. Naturally, the steering wheel is adjusted both in height and in departure. It is not to understand the purpose of numerous buttons and labor levers. In addition, most of the functions are entrusted to the MMI proprietary system, which is controlled by a joystick on the tunnel. With the help of MMI, you can configure some parameters of the car, as well as get acquainted with the readings of the on -board computer. In addition, most of the necessary information can also be brought to the monitor located between the tachometer and the speedometer. The audio center that issues a very high -quality sound is easy to control, without tearing off the hands from the steering wheel using buttons on the steering wheel.
 
It is useful to pay attention to a roomy glove compartment, as well as spacious pockets in the doorway and a compartment under the central armrest. The trunk is also surprisingly roomy, its volume is 455 liters. But the place is not enough behind. Two separate seats are well profiled, but there are very few legs. If you can still get a job behind the passenger, having shifted the front seat, then the driver will be able to accommodate only the child. On the other hand, the Audi S5 car for the driver. Moreover, the driver is not a beginner.


Express
Under the hood of the Audi S5, a 8-cylinder atmospheric gasoline engine with a volume of 4.2 liters is installed well-known from other models of the company. In the case of S5, he develops 354 hp. And gives a moment of 440 nm. But, which is especially pleasant, the engine with a mechanical 6-speed KP is aggregated.
 
The first acceleration reminded me of Sankeansen’s high -speed train in Japan from acceleration literally breathtaking. Is it a joke, the second hundred on the speedometer is exchanged in 5.1 seconds, and only the maximum speed is limited by electronics at a mark of 250 km/h. Moreover, thanks to the branded all -wheel drive transmission of Quattro with the implementation of this remarkable potential, no problems arise.
 
Working in the transmission of Wytheft directs 60% of the moment to the rear wheels and 40% to the front ones, but this ratio may vary depending on the situation. However, in any case, no more than 60% of the power can be transmitted to the front axle. Therefore, in my opinion, it is the QUATTRO-Kili that are the most predictable and controlled.
 
Of course, in order to cope with such a car, certain skills are required. The main thing is to feel how obedient it is and predicting in reactions. Thanks to the magnificent power unit with direct fuel injection, the S5 reacts very sensitively to the gas supply slightly touched the pedal, and pressed into the chair.
 
In addition, the engine dashed to 7000 rpm of the mark, when the maximum power is achieved. The engine demonstrates its best abilities after 3000 rpm. Naturally, its spinning is accompanied by a very pleasant sound of the motor itself and the configured exhaust system, which is why others begin to actively turn their heads in search of a source of a well -fed growl.
 
Such a coupe should be able to not only accelerate well, but also to slow down no less effectively. And it knows how. Moreover, the pedal pleases with transparency, the ability to accurately calculate the right force, which should be applied to it at one time or another. Suspensions are quite loyal. Despite the sports orientation of the S5, springs and shock absorbers provide a more than decent level of comfort. At the same time, they manage to practically not roll the body in turns, which makes a pleasant feeling that you can rush tirelessly and for a long time.
 
What still upset me somewhat was a clutch. The pedal has just a huge move. And its relative suppleness is a stick about the two -edges: it is easy to squeeze, and it is not easy to feel the moment of picking up. And this despite the fact that you can switch the gears of the 6-speed manual transmission quickly and clearly the mechanism has enviable selectivity. But I somehow do not want to wield a short comfortable lever once again, that in a sports type is the desire to be wrong.
 
By the way, there is one funny option in the S5: a small scoreboard reports which program is on, and recommends at what point to go on an increase
shanned to achieve better fuel efficiency. Follow these tips is boring, I want to notice. Yes, the electronics seem to understand this itself and disconnects when the driver begins to move in sports mode, and only when it reaches the maximum revolutions timid, arrow shows that it was time to switch.
 
In trusting the conversation about the running qualities of the S5, I want to say that I had complaints to the steering. It can not be called sharp from the edge to the edge of the steering wheel a little more than three revolutions a lot for a car of this type. And the intervention of the hydraulic wrap is always noticeable. If, with unhurried maneuvering in the city (this is on S5!), The steering of steering is more likely than a minus, then with active driving problems begin to arise with the accuracy of control. Yes, the steering wheel is heavy, but still to my taste is insufficient. On the other hand, the S5 is a rather comfortable car, focused not on the racing track, but on everyday operation. Well, and such a consideration can be taken into account.


Place in the market
This place is, and the demand for the Audi A5/S5, it seems to me, it will be. And it’s not easy to find direct competitors: Mercedes-Benz and BMW are now in the range of medium-sized coupe; Only Lexus SC, and soon debut in Russia Infiniti G37 Coupe will be able to join the competition with Audi.
 
Prices begin at 51,800 euros for A5, and from 64,953 euros for sports modification S5.
 

Andrey Osipov
 

 
 

Source: Magazine Automobile Izvestia [November-December 2007]