I think this car is going to be way more expensive than we think. let's assume it'll have the same engines as the current A6.

So I'm thinking base price will be at least:
A5 v6 (255hp): 40k
A5 v8 (350hp): 50k
S5 v8 (400hp?): 59k

I'm guessing these prices because of:
- what I read about audi's clk asspirations. The clk is 46k and 55k for the v6 and v8.
- the new base TT v6 is 42k!
- S5 price I put between the S4 and S6.

It's too bad because I love audi's and I think the car is really good looking, and would rather have this than the 335 coupe, but not if it's going to be slower AND more expensive. And the 335 coupe is a pretty nice looking and very quick car. I just don't see the v8 being priced anywhere close to the 335 coupe, but I think it'll take the v8 to get comparable performance.

But maybe the v6 will only be 3100 lbs.

performance vs. cost of Audis. It's all good to have nice interiors, and safety, but it gets harder and harder to justify the high prices if cars for half the price have similar (or better) performance. The new G35 model is a nice car, so is the 335i. We know that the A5/S5 is not going to compete against them vs. pricing and for equal performance, it will need at least 300bhp to just 'match' their power.

So if the A5/S5 is directed towards the CLK and 6 series, then it might make more sense. The BMW 650 comes standard with 360bhp and costs around $70k. The A5/S5 is going to need at least the FSI V8 to step up to that. For this reason, I think (hope) Audi will stick with the v8/v10 configurations. I hope that they do, there is no way that the 255bhp or uprated 300bhp v6 will be any threat against the 6 series or the $60k+ CLK 550 with 382bhp.

slightly above the 3 coupe, slightly below the clk and 6 series. An indirect competitor in all cases. No way to know for sure yet though...

like they did with the TT, Q7...

<center><img src="http://new-g35.com/0602_naias_029+2007_infiniti_g35_coupe_concept+sid e_view.jpg"></center><p>
It's not all that bad. The first couple of years had cheap interiors but the latest one is about as good as the 3 series' interior. It comes with 330bhp in the base engine. My point is that Audi better step up their game and take the 'Never Follow' campaign to heart. Both the cars mentioned above will hit 60 in less than 5.5 seconds. I'd like to see the 'base' A5 do at least that.

I use to think the same way as you about comparisons between Japanese and German cars but after having had 6 Audis in a row since the B5 1.8T came out, I have to wonder just how big the gap is today between the luxury nameplates and how much more they are really worth.<ul><li><a href="http://new-g35.com/default.htm">2008</a></li></ul>

I was reading an Australian site today about the S5, and it said it would probably be about 80,000 Australian dollars, which is about $63,000 U.S.

Man, I want an S5 so bad. I use to have a TT, and I havent been to this site in a few years. Hopefully Ill be sticking around.

So, given that.....

In order for Audi to have a V8 in the A5, in the near future, they'd have to give up the possibility of an RS5.

While Audi could have some magic new engine coming soon, it's still over the horizon as far as anyone can tell.

So, I see it like this...

A5 tops out with a V6, for the forseeable future.

S5 comes with the 340-350 hp 4.2

Leaving room for the 420-430 hp RS4-ish V8 in an RS5 should Audi decide to build one (which I see as likely in a year or two).

Audi can only take this model so far "upmarket" without rendering the upcoming A7 completely irrelevent.

No class, as I see it. You don't have to agree.

And the fact that they would go through so much trouble to make a full presentation (complete with lengthy PowerPoint) about it makes it a 'real' possibility. The U.S. Market is getting treated differenty than it has in the past. I think Audi knows that they need to offer real performance with this car to satisfy our power hungry market. We'll 'officially' know in 10 days...

Check out what WindingRoad had to say:

"Feast your eyes on Audi's new A5, some two weeks before the car's actual unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show. We broke news of this car testing at the Nurburgring back in October and it appears the company has-thankfully-put some more emotion into the design of the production version. This show car will debut with the company's 3.0-liter TDI V-6, giving diesel fans a reason to cheer. Will the A5 come to our shores with this engine? Don't bet on it for the first wave of orders, but once we get our 50-state self in order, we expect that to be the case. Look for V-6, V-8, and V-10 gasoline engines for our market at launch.

The 6-series/CLK-fighter looks slightly longer than we had originally imagined, but it could be just the perspective of the photos. Audi's decision to move the engine behind the front axle is a huge part of this long-legged look, and although we don't have a dead profile shot here, we can hope the front overhang is as short as it appears."<ul><li><a href="http://news.windingroad.com/category/auto-shows/geneva-motor-show/">WindingRoad</a></li></ul>

There will be an engine upgrade in the new G35 coupe, likely 310+ HP. Most magazines report the 300HP understated for the 335i (turbo's are nice) with reliable 0-60 times in the low 5's for the manual version, mid 5's for auto. In order for Audi to compete they will need power for their standard A5 model with an upper engine range output above 310 hp (for my dollar at least). The new G35 will be substantially lower in price and will offer a much improved interior and handling packages. Audi's and BMW's are pricey and performance will need to be there in my opinion. Hope the 4.2 V8 is on tap for the standard model. If the 4.2 is only in the S5, at rumored prices loaded near 60k then I will be dissapointed. I would think the RS5 is the vehicle to target the M3, the new IS with V8, etc. I would like to see the A5 and S5 options outpace the 3 series coupe offerings from 328 up to 335i with comparble costs--regardless how Audi decides to badge and configure. If they keep the pricing of their top A5/S5 offering at a fully loaded 335i with more V8 based power and performance, coupled with quatro I'd be a happy camper. I can live with skipping the cheaper G35 option.

Not saying, I would run out and definitely buy one, but I'll probably test drive it and see what it's all about.

I agree as you mentioned, it isn't in the same class as the A5/S5 but when cars are (potentially) just as performance oriented for half the cost...

This is an Audi, so it is going to be heavy.

Yeah, I was kind of saying that as a joke. But maybe they'll incorporate a lot of aluminum like with the TT and it won't be 4000lbs. I just looked at the UK TT site:
2.0t 6MT: 2772 lbs
3.2 Q6MT: 3102 lbs

That's amazing, i had no idea they've become so light. Then again, the TT isn't exactly a big car.

The Actual production version will look similar But not exactly like that.

shape is looking really good. I'm sure we'll see one sitting at every other driveway down the street though. The V6 has about 75bhp on my 3.2 though. Hope there are major changes down the pipeline for us because even the Passat has a bigger V6 that Audi now.

The S6 and S8 both have the V10 engine and a RS6 variant is planned. A V10 powered S5 would upset the M3 balance and position the car closer to the M6. There is an engine designation marking on the rear of the front fender on the leaked photographs but I am not able to make it out.

At this point, I honestly believe, that no conjecture can be ignored. In the next few weeks, everyone will have a better idea about the specifications and capabilities of the new A5 and S5. Consider a product flank maneuver versus a direct attack on the BMW 3-series. After all, the A5 is a larger car than the 3.

a more sporty, probably more luxurious A4 coupe.

Sure, the A5 is, obviously, larger than the B7 A4, but we haven't seen anything about the B8 A4 other than specualtion that it will grow in dimensions from the B7.

Now, I could, definitely, be wrong about that, but it makes the most market sense.

So, in that light, the RS5 isn't going to get a V10 unless the RS4 gets one. Anyone, honestly, believe that's likely?

It seems like a really high percentage of folks here seem to think the A5 should be some magic supercar and are disappointed that it doesn't seem to have several features that Audi's actual supercars already have.

I just don't think they've fully considered where Audi is most likely to fit the A5 series in their line-up.

Above the A4 and below the A6.

Therefore, the S5 is positioned between the S4 and S6 or between a V8 and a V10. It could fall either way.

But the idea of a 2-door RS4 makes sense too...

...But mother company Nissan does actually better job....and I tought Infinity should be the better half ;D

has anyone read R&amp;T, motor trend, C&amp;D, or automobile mag. there was an article in one of those magazines about the pricing on the car.i cant remember which one. as i recall the article says, the A5 will be priced a notch up the 3 series (don't know if its 328 or 335)but below the mb clk..thats what i read..anyone thinks they will put the 2.0T on the A5 or strictly
V6?