If any engine puts the final nail into the coffin of the mainstream V-8, it's the new 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 in Audi's 2010 S5 Cabriolet and S4 sedan. Rated 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet, it's 20 horses shy of the 4.2-liter V-8's power number and its match on twist. We got a quick sampling of the new engine in the cloth-lid S5.
Our testing reveals the S5 ragtop is just half a second slower -- or less quick -- from 0-60 mph than the V-8 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG and V-8 S5 coupe. In the quarter mile, it's 0.8 second slower than the Benz, 0.5 slower than the S5 hardtop. The Cabriolet's new engine seems poised for the new CAFE order, with 17/26 mpg EPA numbers, versus 16/24 for the S5 V-8 coupe with the S tronic and 14/22 for the manual coupe. (The S4 sedan with the supercharged 3.0 gets 18/27 mpg with the manual; 18/28 with S tronic.) Engine downsizing, even among expensive German performance cars, is the Next Big Thing, and Audi has trumped BMW, which is going back to a six-cylinder engine for the next M3.
The 3.0 TFSI features gas direct injection and the intercooled supercharger -- "T" typically means "turbocharged" in VW and Audi engines, but apparently SFSI doesn't seem sporty enough. While its sound is distinctively blown-V-6, Audi has tuned it to sound the part of a V-8 killer, but with a higher pitch. The brappy soundtrack is accentuated by back-pressure burbles during upshifts of the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, when you get aggressive with the throttle.
The 3.0 TFSI features gas direct injection and the intercooled supercharger -- "T" typically means "turbocharged" in VW and Audi engines, but apparently SFSI doesn't seem sporty enough. While its sound is distinctively blown-V-6, Audi has tuned it to sound the part of a V-8 killer, but with a higher pitch. The brappy soundtrack is accentuated by back-pressure burbles during upshifts of the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, when you get aggressive with the throttle.
Audi's facelifted '10 A6 sedan is available with the new supercharged 3.0, detuned to 299 horsepower. Even in the larger, heavier car, the engine is a match for any non-tuner V-8 competition, whether BMW 550i, Mercedes-Benz E550 or Audi's own 4.2-liter-powered A6. And we averaged 21.9 mpg.
The S5 ragtop is more a Mercedes AMG competitor than a BMW M competitor. It's substantially bigger and heavier than a BMW 3 Series/M3, and it feels a bit more relaxed, more like a big AMG Benz. As with all Audis, the brakes feel like they could stop a locomotive on a dime. Our 60-0-mph figure beats the Benz SLK55 by nine feet and a Lexus SC 430 by 14. The seven-speed S tronic remains perhaps the best dual clutch in the industry, with close ratios that will have you upshifting and downshifting maybe a bit too much. While we were unable to figure-eight-test it, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GTs offer tons of grip and the suspension is sufficiently stiff for flat cornering and slick handling. If you're seeking a more relaxed convertible, look elsewhere. The S5's suspension feels stiff over road imperfections, and the car feels heavy. There is enough suspension compliance for the casual enthusiast, however. Steering is quick and direct, with good feedback. Cowl shake is minimal, but it's there -- this is a unibody car designed first as a coupe, after all.
