Audi S5 Part 1: Design Review

When you think of car companies with emotional and evocative designs, what brands come to mind? I suspect you probably pictured some of the famed Italian marques like, Ferrari, Lamborghini, or even Alfa Romeo. The chances that you thought of a German company though, are pretty slim.

Audi is attempting to change this perception by adding a good dose of Italian flair to its already excellent German engineering. How exactly? By appointing an Italian named Walter de'Silva as the company's Chief Designer.

Working for the Volkswagen Automotive Group since 1998, and now its head of design, de'Silva has influenced the Audi product range with a sense of style not typical of German brands.

De'Silva introduced the Audi single frame grille, which hasn't exactly been universally applauded. So he's not afraid of controversy. You can think of him as an Italian Chris Bangle: all the brilliance and risk taking, but arguably with better judgment.

The Audi S5 is one of De'Silva's newest designs, and according to the designer himself, it's his most beautiful. While de'Silva's portfolio is impressive and includes some great-looking Alfas Romeos, one look at the S5 will convince you that he's right. This car is his masterpiece. It is quite simply, gorgeous.

Previewed loosely by the Nuvolari Quattro concept of 2003, the S5 is one of those rare production cars that improves on its concept version. From the side window graphics, to the tauter surfacing, to the now more mature Audi grille, this car is miles ahead of the Nuvolari Quattro concept in its execution.

From every angle, the big Audi coupe holds your attention. From the side we see the main character line flowing gracefully along from headlight to taillight, cresting over the front fender and then the rear fender with seductive curves that your eyes can't help but follow.

From the rear three-quarter perspective, you can follow that same line forward as it disappears over the front fender, and you also see the highlight from the lower body flare up toward the rear bumper integrating nicely with the bumper part line. The taillights and exhaust outlets complete the look from the rear, feeling very purposeful without being overly aggressive.

On to my favorite part of the car: the front. Much has been made of that now-trademark, single frame Audi grille, but with the S5 any negative comments can finally be put to rest as the grille is very well integrated and doesn't look tacked on as it did on some past models.

The headlights are also beautifully designed with LED daytime-running lights that seem to catch everyone's attention. These are becoming Audi trademarks as we've seen them on the R8, the S6, the S5, and soon, the new A4.

The more you look at the S5, you start to realize that not only is it a gorgeous car, it is also a very confident car. It doesn't scream "hey look at me!" like some cars simply because it doesn't have to. It is secure, composed, and confident. And as we all know, confidence is beautiful.

Watch the video
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Power

Audi S5

Performance - Acceleration: Difficult to launch due to all that grip - pulls strongly from anywhere on the tach
- Handling: THE best handling Audi (excluding the R8) by a mile - finally more options than just understeer
- Braking: Excellent feel, stability, and effectiveness

Design
- Exterior: A candidate for world's most beautiful coupe, just stunning
- Interior: Typical Audi levels of quality now, with great design as well

Utility
- Comfort: Good ride/handling compromise - solid, vault-like structure
- Space: Great in the front, not so much in the rear

Safety
- Dynamics: Definitely leans toward safety with its moves, but still fun and adjustable
- Technology: All the airbags - excellent stability control that can be defeated - and of course, Quattro

Value
- Price: Sits in an interesting valley between 335i and M3 in both performance and price - a lot of car for the money
- Mileage: Direct injection does its part to keep the thirst of the V8 at acceptable levels given its performance

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Just looking at it gets your pulse racing, driving it is a bonus - stunning car
- Fun to spank: It's reluctant to rotate, and with Quattro, it's difficult to break traction, so not the most fun car to spank

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / all-wheel drive
Engine: 4.2 liter, DOHC V8
Power (SAE): 354 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque: 325 lbs-ft @ 3500 rpm
Redline: 7000 rpm
Gearbox: 6 speed manual
Curb Weight: 3891 lbs.
0-60 mph: 4.9 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.3 sec.
Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 14 city / 21 highway
Base Price: $50,500
Competitors: BMW 335i, Mercedes-Benz CLK550