2012 Audi S5

2012 Audi S5

2012 Audi S5

2012 Audi S5

2012 Audi S5

Audi’s stylish A5 range is in store for a very mild facelift, with the first prototypes for the new S5 variant spotted today running laps at the famous Nurburgring circuit in Germany. Looking at the shots, one would easily think this is just a regular S5 but look more closely and several new subtle details are revealed.

We can clearly see a new set of tail lights with LED detailing similar to the units fitted to the more upscale A7 Sportback. The detailing especially becomes apparent in the image where the car’s brakes are applied. The front of the car also has some minor styling changes, noticeable in the indicator elements installed in the head lights.

What’s unclear is whether or not Audi is planning to keep its grunty 4.2-liter V-8 in the latest S5 or switch to a ‘downsized’ supercharged 3.0-liter V6 like it did with the S4. A six-speed manual should remain the standard option, though an eight-speed automatic may be offered alongside the trick dual clutch transmission on this 2012 model.

The facelifted 2012 Audi A5 range is expected to go on sale towards the end of the year, following a world debut most likely at September’s 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The changes will eventually make their way across the rest of the A5 range, including the S5 seen here, A5 Convertible and A5 Sportback.

2014 Audi S5

2014 Audi S5

2014 Audi S5

2014 Audi S5

The current Audi S5 coupe is gorgeous, fast, and luxurious, but at over 3800 pounds, it's not dainty. And the upcoming 2010 S5 cabriolet will weigh about 4300 pounds--more than a lot of mid-size SUVs--so forgive us for thinking Audi product planners were being intentionally ironic when they spoke at the car's launch about their green philosophy and success in downsizing. They conveniently neglected to mention weight and focused on their powertrain strategy: a far more efficient supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 replaces the naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8 in the S5 cabriolet and S4 sedan for 2010, with the S5 coupe getting the new engine for 2011. These cars are claimed to achieve the same acceleration as the V-8 models while using 20 percent less fuel.

Still, any idiot knows you can only get so far with engine downsizing in a performance car that weighs more than two tons. So we sat down with Michael Dick, Audi's global head of product engineering, and asked him about how he squares the company's stated smaller-is-better credo with the reality of its hefty cars.

We expected to hear some mumbo-jumbo about how safety standards and consumer expectations for features and refinement dictate ever-growing curb weights, but Dick's response shocked us: Audi is currently testing a prototype of the next-generation S5 that weighs 880 pounds less than the current car. He outlined the ongoing increase in the use of aluminum, magnesium, and high-strength steel as a main reason behind the mass reduction. The current TT's chassis is 69 percent aluminum, and the next-generation A6 (probably due in 2011 or 2012) will have an even higher proportion, Dick says. The amount for the next A4/A5/S4/S5 will be higher still when they debut, likely as 2014 models.

Dick also said that the supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 is an "intermediate step" for Audi. The next S4 and S5 will have lighter turbocharged four-cylinder engines. We can look at the TT lineup for direction: the base TT in the U.S. has a 2.0-liter turbo four that makes 200 hp. The TT S has the same basic engine, but makes 265 hp with beefed up internals and a bigger turbo. Future S4 and S5 models will have about 20 percent less weight and up to 30 percent less engine displacement than the current S5, making combined fuel economy in the mid to high 20-mpg range likely.

Audi S5 Cabrio-HS Motorsport

Audi S5 Cabrio-HS Motorsport
Audi S5 Cabrio-HS Motorsport
Audi S5 Cabrio-HS Motorsport

Audi S5 Cabrio-HS Motorsport

Audi S5 Cabrio -HS Motorsport Review:

An exhaust silencer from Cargraphic with four round inclined rolled-in 89 mm exhaust pipes announces soon arrival of the Audi S5 Cabrio like a post-horn did in its time. At the present moment, there is only one version assigned for export.

The customers fairly expect over and over again something extraordinary from the HS Motorsport company from Eching, located near Munich, the more so the perfection for a valuable client is the highest precept for Bavaria’s tuner.Strictly speaking, the external loo k of the cabriolet from Ingolstadt doesn’t need any upgrades. Therefore, the crew begins with the engine output increase which is not visible at first glance. This results in the fact that substantial 375 HP instead of standard 333 HP are now waiting for calling. The maximum torque shows 525 Nm in comparison to initial 440 Nm, which is now blasting the crankshaft without mercy. Increasing the limit of Vmax to the new value of 290 km/h is just a logical way at such performance.

Tested version for Germany:

Wheel disks at the front axle in 9x21 inch with 255/30ZR21 tyres and in 10,5x21 inch with 295/25ZR21 tyres at the rear axle are produced by Cargraphic also. Use of Bilstein thread suspension B16 PSS10 ensures perfect match of the wheel/tyre combination to the wheel housings.On demand – and at this performance absolutely advisable – a brake system from Brembo with double 380x32 mm brake disks and 6-piston monoblock saddle for the front axle can be installed. In conclusion, various carbon parts for the external cover and also for the interior should be mentioned.