Audi S5 S 2007 review

Two doors and a V8 seems to be flavour of the year. BMW's M3, Mercedes' CLK63 and now Audi's S5, the latest to combine sports performance with luxury coupe styling.

Audi has launched its new A5 coupe range from the top down, starting with the top-spec S5.

And this is the key to its agility.

With all-wheel drives renowned for understeer, the S5's drive and balance is markedly improved over the similar previous generation S4.

Our test laps around Phillip Island raceway and a 200km drive back to Melbourne revealed a highly competent sports coupe; with a wide spread of power and torque from a thrumming V8 coupled with a package of handling, braking and agility that surmises the S brand.

Like many Audi S models, it's full of subtle aggression, with 18-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights and integrated spoilers on the flowing lines. There's little interior with discreet S badges on the steering wheel and seats.

Three-zone climate control caters for rear passengers who are offered reasonable room, but six-footers might be cramped for head and leg room.

It has all the expected luxuries in a coupe at this price, such as a six-stacker CD, satellite navigation, cruise control and Bluetooth compatibility, as well as keyless entry and button start.

This is oddly not even available on the R8 sports car. Audi also offers options including an iPod interface for $550, a reverse park camera with on-screen reversing guidelines for $1100 and TV reception for $2400.

Available in six-speed manual only until the tiptronic version arrives in May 2008, this might be frustrating for both Audi and potential customers, because it's suggested the manual will account for just 30 per cent of S5 sales.

Slick and quick to shift, the manual covers 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds.

Fuel consumption of 98 octane is rated at 12.4 litres/100km for the combined cycle, reasonable for its 1630kg.

The four-model A5 range will drip-feed into Australia over the coming months, including the 3.2-litre multitronic in November at $91,900, quattro in April, 1.8-litre turbo in May and 3.0-litre quattro tiptronic in August 2008.

For now, the S5 is the sporting athlete carrying the torch.