2010 Audi S5 Review

The following is a performance-capsule review of the 2010 Audi S5. The 2010 Audi S5 impressed auto critics with its sporty yet comfortable nature. The "2010 Audi S5" is a performance-tuned variant of the 2010 Audi A5 -- which earns praise for its elegant exterior design and comfortable cabin, but suffers when compared to luxury sports cars because of its less-than-stellar performance abilities.

Where the A5 suffers, the 2010 Audi S5 excels. For 2010, Audi introduces an S5 Cabriolet (convertible) trim -- which replaces the S4 Cabriolet. Quattro All-Wheel Drive remains standard.

The 2010 Audi S5's repertoire expands thanks to the new soft-top S5 Cabriolet and its exclusive supercharged V6, while the classy V8 continues to power the coupe. Sensuous styling, coupe's stellar V8, sharp handling, upscale interior, available convertible body style.

Artificial steering feel, convertible is pricey and lacks a retractable hardtop and the coupe's V8.

The 2010 Audi S5 gets a cabriolet (soft-top convertible) variant that's available only with a new supercharged V6, whereas the coupe keeps the previous V8. Also, the S5 receives Audi's standardized trim level structure, and navigation-equipped S5s get the third-generation MMI system with a revised controller and real-time traffic.
The 2010 Audi S5 is a calculated addition to Audi's arsenal, a high-performance luxury coupe/convertible intended to counter BMW's growing stockpile of turbocharged sporting machines.

Shared with other performance cars in Audi's lineup, the cabriolet's force-fed V6 makes 333 horsepower and as much torque -- 325 pound-feet -- as the coupe's 4.2-liter V8.

If you're in the market for a performance coupe or convertible, you'll also likely be checking out the S5's natural rival, the BMW 335i coupe and convertibleThe high-performance 2010 Audi S5 is available as a coupe or soft-top convertible (the cabriolet) in two trim levels: Premium Plus and Prestige.

The base S5 Premium Plus comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlamps, foglamps, power heated exterior mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, an electronic parking brake, a multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel, a panoramic tilt-only sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, power and heated front sport seats, napa leather upholstery, a 50/50-split-folding rear seatback, Bluetooth, Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI) with dash-mounted controls and a CD audio system with satellite radio and an auxiliary input jack. Optional on the Premium Plus trim are the navigation system and Bang & Olufsen sound systemA six-speed manual transmission is standard on the coupe, and a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional. On the cabriolet, a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual is the only available transmission.

In performance testing, we spurred a manual-transmission 2010 Audi S5 coupe from zero to 60 mph in a fleet 4.9 seconds.
The V6-powered cabriolet comes in at 17/26/20 mpg.
Coupes have side curtain airbags as well, while cabriolets have active roll bars behind the seats.
The optional variable-ratio steering system that comes with the Audi Drive Select package provides a similarly contrived feel.
The coupe's 4.2-liter V8 is simply one of our favorite engines.