The S5 has impressive road-holding capabilities. It easily navigates through sharp turns at speeds that would overwhelm lesser vehicles. The all-wheel-drive system deftly supplies power to specific wheels to aid the car's handling balance around turns. - Edmunds
Engine and Transmission
The Audi S5 comes with a powerful 3.0L turbocharged V6 with a much smoother torque curve than youd expect. With virtually zero turbo lag the throttle control is a bliss in both stop and go traffic in cities as well as cruising through highways. The tiptronic automatic transmission is quick and intuitive enough that it does not constantly need to shift through the gears to find the right one.
Models
|
Audi S5
|
Mercedes Benz E450
|
BMW 4-Series 440i
|
Lexus RC
|
Price
|
$52,400
|
$59,800
|
$51,200
|
$50,790
|
Engine
|
3.0-Liter Turbocharged V6
|
3.0-Liter Twin Turbo V6
|
3.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline6
|
3.5-Liter V6
|
Transmission
|
8-Speed Automatic Tiptronic
|
9-Speed Automatic
|
8-speed automatic
|
8-speed automatic
|
Horsepower
|
349 hp @5400 rpm
|
362 @ 5500
|
322 @ 5500
|
311@6600
|
Torque
|
369 lb-ft @ 1370 rpm
|
369 @ 1800
|
330 @ 1380
|
280 @ 4800
|
In comparison, the E class Mercedes-Benz has a more powerful engine, but the rear-wheel-drive coupe feels like it could reach the edge of the traction. The 4-series BMW, on the other hand, is rather underpowered for the price and you'd find much more pleasure in the M4 instead.
Acceleration
The Quattro all-wheel coupe's smooth acceleration is not to be taken lightly. Flooring the pedal makes the coupe accelerate hard and takes it to 60 in a matter of 4.3 seconds. The quarter-mile is covered in 12.8 seconds, quite unexpected for a coupe that doesn't have Audi's RS badge.
Models
|
Audi S5
|
Mercedes Benz E450
|
BMW 4-Series 440i
|
Lexus RC
|
0-60 MPH
|
4.3 seconds
|
4.1 seconds
|
4.4 seconds
|
5.9 seconds
|
Quarter mile
|
12.8 seconds
|
12.6seconds
|
12.9 seconds
|
N/A
|
Engine
|
3.0-Liter
|
3.0-Liter
|
3.0-Liter
|
3.5-Liter
|
Emission
(Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Comparatively the Mercedes is faster to 60 with a much more powerful engine and subsequently quicker through the quarter-mile. However, the Lexus is at a major disadvantage here, with merely 311hp, it takes 5.9 seconds to reach 60.
Ride and Handling
With an improved multi-link suspension and a stiffer chassis, the S5 coupe has a much better ride quality than the previous model. The optional adaptive dampers and sport suspensions slightly stiffened up the ride but make your daily commute sportier by keeping the coupe planted to the tarmac.
The optional dynamic steering mimics the intuitive steering usually found in high-end supercars, which varies the gear ratio based on your speed and steering angle. It has been specifically designed to give the driver optimum feedback and can be adjusted based on the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.
Braking
The Audi S5 Coupe has robust brakes that help stop it the quickest amongst its competition. The technology used is immaculate and proves to be life-saving in case of situations demanding sudden braking as well. It has 13.8-inch diameter front brakes to ensure quick braking.
Model
|
Audi S5
|
Mercedes Benz E450
|
BMW 4-Series 440i
|
Lexus RC
|
Brake Front (in.)
|
13.8
|
14.2
|
13.4
|
14
|
Brake Rear (in.)
|
13
|
14.2
|
13
|
12
|
Curb Weight (lbs.)
|
3847
|
4200
|
3635
|
3748
|
70-0 MPH (ft.)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
166
|
N/A
|
The brakes used in the Audi are not the biggest, but still, it is able to stop before the Mercedes does and also before the much lighter BMW does. The Audi is no doubt the best as far as braking is considered.