I think that the direct comparisons of the A5 3.2 being a 335i competitor are incorrect. The S5 seems to actually be the direct competitor to the 300hp BMW coupe, even price wise.

For example, a 335i spec'd to match a base S5 will need the following extra options:

- All wheel drive: $1800 (expected for 2008)
- Sport package: $1000
- Adaptive steering: ($1400)

This would put the base price of a 335xi at around $45,000. I expect the base price of an S5 to range between $48,000 to $50,000 (up to 2k more than the current S4).

I would personally cross-shop the 335i with the S5 since both would probably fall with $5,000 of each other when similarly equipped, with the S5 being a couple of K more expensive to justify the 50 more horsepower and larger V8.

Anyone else agree?

328 > A5 > 335i > S5 > M3 > RS5

current A4 Cabrio. If that's truly the case, the S4 Cabrio that I saw at the dealer today had a $65k number on the sticker from Audi with no added dealer options. Makes one think...

not so much the BMW models... typical of Audis the (eventual, hopefully!) RS5 will compete with the next gen. M3, but the S5 will be more comparable in price... it might just be the wine speaking, but that's what I think... for now.

And the RS5 will compete with the M3.

counting the B&O sound system or back-up cameras. I think that's being more realistic for what we will see, since Audi doesn't generally bring any of their models over here as strictly base models without any options. There is obviously the choice to order the car 90 days out, but with no S-Line pkg, no NAV, no Convenience, and no nice leather, it probably won't be very desirable... No question about it, the A5 will be over $50k and the S5 will be deep into the $60k range.

If the A5 lands at ~$40k base, which makes the most sense for the lineup, and they offer in the same ball park of options as the A4, then it won't be able to reach $55k. The A4's only have ~$9k worth of options available, and that's including options I think most people wouldn't bother with like the sun shades. It's reasonable to expect a well optioned A5 to land at $50k.

The S4 offers even less options, so a well optioned S5 assuming a starting price of $50k would probably just hit $60k at worst.

I suppose they could add options to approach what the A6 offers which is able to hit $16k in options. That would make your prediction a reality if you want absolutely every option available.

Really hope they release pricing information with the Geneva launch. I'm ready to stop speculating and start figuring out if I can afford one of these things. =P

i thought you were kidding, hence the lol.

But, i suppose that the S5 will compete with the 650 and kill it on price.

RB

... it is essentially an A4 coupe.

The A5 is a direct competitor to the 3 series coupe, not the 6 series.

It's like saying that the next-gen A4 (which will share the A5's larger wheelbase) is going to be a 5 series competitor. It just makes no sense.

look at it this way:

base S4 sedan = $47.5k
base S6 sedan = $72k

divide the difference by 2 = $12,250.

add that to the base S4 sedan price...

= $59,750 *base* S5

with GG tax it's over $60k.

add options (including a $5k-$6k B&O stereo) and you're easily in the neighborhood of $70k.

the top cog to something that doesnt pull as many revs at highway speeds. I think it's retarded in the S4 to have that sort of gearing.

Then, maybe the car can avoid the gg altogether.

RB

But on that subject, the A5 is NOT simply an A4 coupe...the base equipment will be at a much higher level than a base A4 sedan (or the 3-series coupe for that matter). I think the A5 will have a base price around $40k, and will probably be over $50k loaded. Remember, a base A4 3.2 sedan is $35k...the A5 coupe has got to be $5k more in base trim, at least.

Don't be confused by platform sharing...the $75k RS4 shares a platform with the $28k A4 2.0T.

A5, and (potentially) the A7. It's a modular chassis that will be used for multiple models. Since it's closer to the size of an A6 than an A4, it appears it will be it's 'own' model. Also, it is doubtful that the A4 will simply be an A5 with 4 doors. I think there is a reason that this car is called an A5 and not an A4 coupe and also why Audi mentions that its competition is higher than the 3 series and equivalent to the CLK. I think we all want to 'think' of it as an A4 Coupe because we can better speculate the prices and plans for this model (hoping that prices will be comparable)but we have to remember that it was designed around the 5.2 V10 motor (and turbocharged) at that. Although the next B8 sedan will be larger, I can't see it being too much larger as it is Audis model that competes with the 3series and C-Class. It's Audi's bread and butter car and I doubt they will want to risk losing customers that want a more compact sedan and not a 'boat' like the A6. However, Audi does surprise me sometimes, as is the case with the new 'S' cars that are essentially purposely diluted from the 'S' that they used to be and replaced with the 'RS' line...

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14368/z.jpg">


<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14368/z2.jpg">

trouble if emissions standards are tightened down and made mandatory. The German horsepower race will come to a halt quick. 500-600bhp AMG Benzes will be a thing of the past. Gas Guzzler tax sucks for those of us that want to by these cars. It's reported that the only car that would survive the new mandated emission laws (in Audi's line-up) is the A3. Hope they can get those new diesels over here quick...

I think you have your dimensions off.

A5 is listed at:
Wheelbase: 108.3"
Overall length: 182"
Overall width: 73"
Overall height: 54.1"

A4 is listed at:
Wheelbase: 104.3"
Overall length: 180.5"
Overall width: 76.5"
Overall height: 57.2"

A6 is listed at:
Wheelbase: 111.9"
Overall length: 193.5"
Overall width: 79.2"
Overall height: 57"

That makes it 1.5" longer and 3" more narrow than the current B7 vs 11.5" shorter and 6.2" more narrow than the A6. That to me would make it right in line with the probable size increase from B7 to B8 for the A4 and substantially smaller than the A6.

is what is a measure of the actual interior space and (likely) useable size of the car IMO. It appears that the A5 does not contain as large of a boot as compared to either the A6 and A4 sedans, which may contribute to a shorter overall length. The bumper to bumper measurements do paint a different picture concerning exterior length of course, but if you look at the A5's hood area it is much more similar to the A6 unlike the current A4.

I doubt that the new A4 will be nearly as large in these two areas. Also, as you pointed out, the A5 is 3" shorter in height than the A4. The A4 height does however, match the A6 height identically - though I doubt that the basic A4 sedan will be as low in height as the Coupe. IMO, there is a reason that Audi created a new platform called the 'A5' and not simply, the NEW A4 Coupe...

I thought Audi was trying to improve handling across the board by moving the engine back in relation to the front axle in order to improve weight distribution. They've accomplished this in the A5 by moving the axle forward some 4" in comparison with the A4. I'd expect the A4 to experience the same wheelbase increase when it moves to the B8 platform.

The height I didn't bother mentioning explicitly because it was basically the same difference between the two current models, but I wouldn't be suprised to see a coupe version have a more crouched stance than it's sedan counterpart. It gives a bit more sporty feel which I think is somewhat the intent of a coupe. Look no further than the 3 series for that, the 335 coupe sits 1.8" lower than its sedan counterpart.

It may not be called an A4 coupe, but it is very close in overall dimensions to the current A4 which should place it more in competition with the 3 series and CLK's of the world than the 6 series class of cars.

But again, we're speculating about a model that isn't even close to release when we're talking about what the B8 A4 will look like and what size it will be. We'll have a lot longer wait to find the answer to that I suppose.

Agreed, it will be interesting to see how Audi markets this A5 compared to the competition and even models within it's own line-up. I'm sure it will be an exciting automobile regardless of where it ultimately fits between and in the spectrum.

. . . and also Merc CLS etc.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/country/gcf/spyphotoID/6060612.001/audi/2009-audi-a7-spy-photos<ul><li><a href="http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/country/gcf/spyphotoID/6060612.001/audi/2009-audi-a7-spy-photos">http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/country/gcf/spyphotoID/6060612.001/audi/2009-audi-a7-spy-photos</a</li></ul>