CTC Review: 2008 Audi A5

[wing]

I was looking at Audi's site this morning and nada.  Then I found some info somewhere else saying the auto would come later -- but that was for the US so perhaps US only -- not sure.  Unfortunately I'm in the dark and can only go by audi.ca on this one -- but you are correct the US offers the tiptronic 6-speed auto.

[Mitlov]

It makes no effing sense whatsoever to offer a luxury car as a manual transmission only, unless we're talking about the absolute fringe of high performance (M3).  And an A5 3.2 certainly isn't at the razor's edge like the M3 is.

[carcrazed]

I've seen a white S5 in downtown Toronto here.. it had four people.. two in the back, both adults.

Simply beautiful.. but I just hope I won't see it as much as I see the 3 coupes.

There are just too many of those around!

Audi will probably offer auto/tiptronic very soon...it's hard to believe that they aren't offering the tiptronic initially.

But as soon as they do, there's going to be so many of these on the road and it won't be as beautiful as much......

[The Mighty Duck]

Audi wanted the A5/S5 to go to the enthusiasts first, no?  I thought they had released the S5 manual first, then the S5 auto, now the A5 manual, and eventually an A5 automatic...  makes sense to me.  Not offering an automatic A5 would hurt sales in a big way, I highly doubt Audi would do that.

[Kai]

Hopefully, Audi releases a DSG, twin clutch system instead of a conventional automatic/tiptronic system with torque converter with the A5/S5.  Would be like the one on the TT.  That would make a very big difference with performance close to or better than the manual.

[Julie]

What a gorgeous car!     

[rrocket]

It makes no effing sense whatsoever to offer a luxury car as a manual transmission only, unless we're talking about the absolute fringe of high performance (M3).  And an A5 3.2 certainly isn't at the razor's edge like the M3 is.

There's no pleasing you.  You when there is no stick on offer, and you when it is offered...

[Mitlov]

It makes no effing sense whatsoever to offer a luxury car as a manual transmission only, unless we're talking about the absolute fringe of high performance (M3).  And an A5 3.2 certainly isn't at the razor's edge like the M3 is.

There's no pleasing you.  You when there is no stick on offer, and you when it is offered...

Every once in a while, a manufacturer does something TRULY CRAZY and offers consumers a CHOICE 

[Wally]

Was this sexy machine waiting at the Terry Fox/Hazeldean lights this morning? Very nice!

[wing]

Around 7:15 yeah that would be me.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

'08 A5 6-spd Tiptronic is in the order guide priced at $53,350. But you're right, don't see it on Audi.ca... maybe hasn't arrived yet or is just now?

Gorgeous car. Plastic part covering the middle of the centre console (by the CD slot?) on some models (not yours) looks a little cheap, but that's about the only gripe. Oh, and wish the roof slid open instead of just venting up. To me overall, A/S5 looks far more upscale and elegant than a 3 Coupé, and I think I'd prefer touring coupe over sports coupe in my day-to-day driving, granted the 335i has oodles of power for less money. Still, the is one hot number, and much less of them littering the road.

Can you explain more about how the electronic parking brake works? Does it operate like the Passat's? I haven't used either, so if you (or a Passat owner) could chime in would appreciate... I think I'd prefer it over the regular hand brake (tho e-brake certainly is easy to grab) and does take up less space. Probably would take awhile to adjust to a button.

[wing]

SAM.

In the passat the hand brake is just a button you hit.

In the A5, you have to pull a switch to set it and push it to take it off.  It's just annoying because sometimes I'll push it instead of pull it etc.  Also it is suppose to disengage when you just drive away but sometimes it doesn't for some odd reason.

[mmret]

The electronics are already breaking?

[Railton]

So James, which would you buy and why between the Audi A5 or G37 coupe?
Railton

[wing]

Oh tough question that one there -- Nissan should send me a G37 Coupe to compare!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

SAM.

In the passat the hand brake is just a button you hit.

In the A5, you have to pull a switch to set it and push it to take it off.  It's just annoying because sometimes I'll push it instead of pull it etc.  Also it is suppose to disengage when you just drive away but sometimes it doesn't for some odd reason.

I hadn't noticed the difference before. Was wondering because Tiguan has the switch (as seen here) which I guess is like the A5's you describe? Moves kind of like a power window switch up and down? I had incorrectly assumed for whatever reason you pulled up to engage (and the light would turn on) and up again to disengage.


Passat's button really would be much easier, although I don't like the placement of the button on the dash (no where near the shifter, long stretch of the finger).


Thanks!

[wing]

Yeah that's the same, minus the autohold.  Certainly in a better spot than the passat, I was stuck for like 10 min looking for that button

[Eric Harper]

Would like to see how the car handles against a BMW 335Xi Coupe

[Mitlov]

Would like to see how the car handles against a BMW 335Xi Coupe

Fifth Gear's test of a 335i versus an S5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHj0zbhjLZI

If all you care about is handling, get the BMW.  But in my opinion, the Audi offers the better "total package"--interior materials, interior and exterior design, roomy trunk, good standard equipment, etc, with 90% of the sporty performance of the Bimmer.  It all depends on whether you want a highly-focused driver's car or a stylish jack-of-all-trades.

[The Mighty Duck]

That fuel mileage sounds fantastic.  I was on the Honda lot the other day, and I seem to recall the Civic Si got ~10l/100km too...  and it's down 65hp, two cylinders, two drive wheels, and I should expect a fair bit of weight...