Earlier this year Audi’s plans for a lighter pair of next-generation S4 and S5 performance variants were revealed. Now Volkswagen has been tied to a similar program with its popular Golf platform.
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I took delivery of my Audi S5 on Thursday and here is a brief review of my first weekend with the car.

First, the facts: the S5 produces 260 kW and 440 Nm of torque. It pierces the air at a top speed of 270 km/h and annihilates the 0 – 100 km/h test in 5.1 seconds.

This performance had a direct impact on my wallet as it consumed fuel at a rate of 20 l/100 km. Seeing that I had the S5 from Thursday morning, I had the opportunity to drive it over 2 000 km during the weekend, which resulted in a petrol card-crunching fuel bill of R2 700. Just as drug addicts spend their money on their fix of choice, I spend mine on petrol.

As a car enthusiast, I do not care for economical driving or how much carbon dioxide is produced. What I do care about is brute power, beautiful design, acoustic pleasure for occupants and bystanders, and handling that is precise and entertaining.

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Recently I’ve had the pleasure of going for a spin in one of these beasts. I must say it was a pleasant surprise from the average A4. It has more pickup, luxury lines and torque then the A4, without the price tag of a 6-Series BMW. I often wonder why Audi entered into this market and weather it will fall into a trap of trying to cater to too many people in its product assortment. I feel that Porsche is doing that first with the Cayenne then with the Panamera concept.

Anyways back to the S5. I kinda wish the one I drove was a 6 speed, as I don’t really like automatics. It has the Quattro system and holds the road very well, but that race factor was just missing from it.

I guess it’s all in the eye of the beholder. The outside lines of the vehicle are well defined and remind me of the Avus from the early 90s. I still have a model replica of it’s polished aluminum body and it’s rims in 1/18^th scale, that later became standard equipment on S8 and B5 S4 models.

I can’t hide it I love the Avus. Here is a pic:

The S5 was nice, and deserves to be part of the S line, but if you want a hardcore racer, go for the R8.

Heres a few pics of just like the one I drove today: