I guess there's only so many dollars you can spend on materials. With Audi maintaining the class-leading interiors, fit and finish, and for me, overall "best feel", I guess there's just not any money left over for new 4.2 technology or DSG or suspension. I guess to add those changes without reducing quality would be too difficult to remain price-competitive.

Too bad really...I almost think Audi should have waited to release the 5 series until they could offer some "better" changes. Advanced key and rear-view camera are cool, but I guess Audi isn't looking at the competitors offerings very closely.

To be completely honest, 350HP is more than enough for my drive to work. But no DSG, and to utterly disregard how Audi is falling behind in the performance wars, is really disappointing.

...but I don't care. Never have owned an auto or "manual-matic".

And performance wars aren't just hp & acceration stats (yeah, I know you know that too). The key for this new ride will be how well it handles. This has almost always been BMW's secret weapon for winning comparos where the three series has usually been out-gunned. After all, Audi has suggested that the real technology here is the new B8 platform which may raise the A5 up to the lofty handling standards set by the Bimmer.

The A5 <i>has</i> managed to match the 335i's styling, which isn't such a good thing. Wish it was a little more like a TT with growth hormone disorder.

the new B8 platform.

If you look at this picture you can see the Roadjet style engine cover/intake and 4 spark plug wires. The S5 engine makes 260 kw while the current A6/A8/Q7 4.2 FSI only makes 257 kw. Sure it is a small difference but there is some new technology on the V8. Of course no mention of S-Tronic (DSG) yet.

EDIT: In the pictures for the A5 the V8 has the new engine cover, but the V6 which definitely has valvelift has the old engine cover. Confusing.<ul><li><a href="http://www.audiusa.com/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/aoa/product/s5my08/crops/exterior.Par.0234.Image.jpg">http://www.audiusa.com/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/aoa/product/s5my08/crops/exterior.Par.0234.Image.jpg</a</li></ul>

I see no mention of any automatic, which I find it hard to believe they would not have SOME automatic option. Leaving out DSG and magnetic suspension when it's showing up on a lower priced model also strikes me as odd. I'm just hoping this is more of a preliminary info page, and they're saving details to be revealed along with or following the official unveiling in Geneva.

On the up side, some of the new shots make the car look a lot better to me than the initial leaked photos did.

for the bodywork. One of my favorite parts of the current RS4. Simply makes a standard S4 look down right anemic when side by side.

First off, let me say, the comparisons are getting old already, and neither cars have even been released yet.

If you want an M3, that's great, buy one when it's released. We all know that both BMW and Audi make great cars. I love BMW, and I love Audi as well. But all of this fanboy bs is getting out of hand...

I see what tboned is saying...Audi needs something new that the competition doesn't have. Quattro is great and very desirable but its been around for 25 years. Audi needs a new selling point.

Let's use the official number - 5.3 seconds. Otherwise, S5 will be 4.5 seconds using the same math.

Another selling point? A5/S5 looks much better. But if you don't care about it, and you don't need quattro, 335i is a good choice for you. It is a good car, IMO.