Just got my Oct. issue of Car & Driver.
08-25-2007, 02:11 PM
#21
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Just ran the price for the 335ix and the number is:
$49,845 with the options that I'd order on a A5. My guess is the A5 will be priced right there. Remember, they still have to price their product right to compete. BMW still has more cache in the US than Audi.
My view is that the A5 will be priced at the 335 area, the S5 will be less than the M3 and the RS5 will be a little more than a loaded M3, plus it'll have near 500 Hp to boot. Plus, the M3 won't have Quattro or any other form of AWD. Won't work for me here in MN, or back in New England, or when I'm in the Rockies.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see now, won't we?
My view is that the A5 will be priced at the 335 area, the S5 will be less than the M3 and the RS5 will be a little more than a loaded M3, plus it'll have near 500 Hp to boot. Plus, the M3 won't have Quattro or any other form of AWD. Won't work for me here in MN, or back in New England, or when I'm in the Rockies.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see now, won't we?
08-25-2007, 02:37 PM
#22
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Never understoon AoA and it's thinking on overdrives. . .
especially when you have 5 other gears to get going. A tall 6th like the Corvette or the old Camaro/Trans Ams would be the way to go: 70 MPH @ 1,800 RPMs.
08-25-2007, 06:11 PM
#24
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In the 3 Series class....
nothing is as sporty as the 3 Series or sportier than the 3 Series. The A5 and S5 are certainly no exception to this.
That being said, what did C&D think of the handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure of the S5? Based on Car and Driver's good driver comments and the fact that C&D was extremely impressed overall with the S5, I am sure the editors at C&D thought that in these categories that the S5 was on par with or better than the G35/G37 and way ahead of the Mercedes CLK, Volvo C50 and Lexus SC430 if not up to snuff with the 3 Series.
But than again, apart from the RS 4 and numerous horribly expensive sports cars, what does match or surpass the RWD 3 Series in handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure? As far as I can tell, there is not a single vehicle on Earth that matches or exceeds the RWD 3 Series in handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure.
I would love for the magnetic ride suspension system with adjustable steering to become available on the A5 and S5 in North America in two years when the RS 5 comes out.
IMO, Audi should make the magnetic ride suspension and adjustable steering standard on the RS 5 and together only options on the A5 and S5.
That being said, what did C&D think of the handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure of the S5? Based on Car and Driver's good driver comments and the fact that C&D was extremely impressed overall with the S5, I am sure the editors at C&D thought that in these categories that the S5 was on par with or better than the G35/G37 and way ahead of the Mercedes CLK, Volvo C50 and Lexus SC430 if not up to snuff with the 3 Series.
But than again, apart from the RS 4 and numerous horribly expensive sports cars, what does match or surpass the RWD 3 Series in handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure? As far as I can tell, there is not a single vehicle on Earth that matches or exceeds the RWD 3 Series in handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure.
I would love for the magnetic ride suspension system with adjustable steering to become available on the A5 and S5 in North America in two years when the RS 5 comes out.
IMO, Audi should make the magnetic ride suspension and adjustable steering standard on the RS 5 and together only options on the A5 and S5.
08-25-2007, 09:09 PM
#25
imho, if the A5/S5 had DSG and magnetic ride, it would be easily worth the premium
as it currently stands, it's a car that costs $10k more than it's closest competition.
However, buying a car is not just a rational decision, and the styling and luxury of the S5 will be worth the premium for many buyers, but personally I'm finding it a bit hard to justify.
However, buying a car is not just a rational decision, and the styling and luxury of the S5 will be worth the premium for many buyers, but personally I'm finding it a bit hard to justify.
08-26-2007, 06:02 AM
#26
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I understand what you are saying, nirad
But, like I said before, judging by the good driver comment and the fact that C&D was extremely impressed overall, I think (but am not even close to 100% sure) that the only car in the A5's and S5's class that surpass it in being sporty, handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure is the 3 Series/M3.
I imagine that the G35/G37 comes close to or matching the A5 and S5 in being sporty, handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure, based on C&D's comments.
And, I imagine everything else in the A5's and S5's class falls short or well short of the A5 and S5 in being sporty, handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure again, based on C&D's comments.
I imagine that the G35/G37 comes close to or matching the A5 and S5 in being sporty, handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure, based on C&D's comments.
And, I imagine everything else in the A5's and S5's class falls short or well short of the A5 and S5 in being sporty, handling, driving dynamics and overall driving pleasure again, based on C&D's comments.
08-26-2007, 10:49 AM
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Not as bad as the roads here in southeastern New York State
We here in southeastern New York State have the worst roads on the planet.
I wonder which 19 tires in what size are used for the S5.
And, I wonder how wide and what weight the S5's 19 inch wheels are.
I wonder which 19 tires in what size are used for the S5.
And, I wonder how wide and what weight the S5's 19 inch wheels are.
08-26-2007, 02:39 PM
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The engine in the B8 RS 4 and RS 5 will produce near 500 hp? I don't think so, 1990V85speed.
But I have to admit, it is nice to fantasize.
The B8 RS 4 and RS 5 will have a high revving (8,600 or 8,700 RPM redline), regularly aspirated 4.2L FSI VL V8 producing 450/456/336 SAE hp/DIN hp/kw and 332 lbs/ft of torque/450 nm or 339 lbs/ft of torque/460 nm.
With the exception of a supercharged V8, a force fed V8 of all kinds (including twin charged with both a supercharger and a turbocharger in the same engine) simply will not fit in the engine bay of any vehicle on the B8 platform without the following being done excessively: Minimum of six inches longer overall with a wheelbase that is a minimum of five or six inches longer and minimum of three inches wider overall with front and rear tracks that are each a minimum of two or three inches wider.
This would all translate into a minimum weight increase of 300 pounds and a minimum cost increase of $2,000-3,000. Not to mention, fuel economy would be much poorer (which would result in a massive gas guzzler tax) and it would be far more difficult for the B8 RS 4 and RS 5 to meet or exceed (exceed far more so than meet) all emissions standards worldwide, particularly the USA, which has by far the toughest emissions standards on Earth.
Oh, a 6-speed manual transmission that would be able to safely and reliably handle the mammoth torque that a force fed V8, even with a miniscule 4.2L of displacement would be too big to fit in any vehicle on B8 platform without the excessive modifications made to it that I mentioned in the fourth paragraph.
I hate to rain on your parade, 1990 V85speed, but this is reality that you will just have to deal with. It is for your own good. Trust me on this.
The B8 RS 4 and RS 5 will have a high revving (8,600 or 8,700 RPM redline), regularly aspirated 4.2L FSI VL V8 producing 450/456/336 SAE hp/DIN hp/kw and 332 lbs/ft of torque/450 nm or 339 lbs/ft of torque/460 nm.
With the exception of a supercharged V8, a force fed V8 of all kinds (including twin charged with both a supercharger and a turbocharger in the same engine) simply will not fit in the engine bay of any vehicle on the B8 platform without the following being done excessively: Minimum of six inches longer overall with a wheelbase that is a minimum of five or six inches longer and minimum of three inches wider overall with front and rear tracks that are each a minimum of two or three inches wider.
This would all translate into a minimum weight increase of 300 pounds and a minimum cost increase of $2,000-3,000. Not to mention, fuel economy would be much poorer (which would result in a massive gas guzzler tax) and it would be far more difficult for the B8 RS 4 and RS 5 to meet or exceed (exceed far more so than meet) all emissions standards worldwide, particularly the USA, which has by far the toughest emissions standards on Earth.
Oh, a 6-speed manual transmission that would be able to safely and reliably handle the mammoth torque that a force fed V8, even with a miniscule 4.2L of displacement would be too big to fit in any vehicle on B8 platform without the excessive modifications made to it that I mentioned in the fourth paragraph.
I hate to rain on your parade, 1990 V85speed, but this is reality that you will just have to deal with. It is for your own good. Trust me on this.