The new Audi S5 Coupe turns to turbo power, the German manufacturer having selected a 3.0 litre turbocharged V6 engine to power the new model.
It replaces the 3.0 litre supercharged V6 from the old S5, and making 354 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, this new Audi S5 makes 21 more horsepower than the outgoing car and 44 lb-ft more torque.
While that doesn’t sound like a lot, it feels like a lot more on the road. This is because the new turbocharged engine makes its peak torque at 1,370 rpm, while the older supercharged engine needed 2,900 revs to do so.
So while the new S5 has a touch of lag, its torque comes on like a sledgehammer immediately after and it pulls hard through the rev range, bringing up 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Paired to that engine is an eight-speed ZF-sourced automatic and it works perfectly. Sure, a dual-clutch might be snappier and a bit more exciting but the ZF eight-speed is a delight, with smooth, rapid shifts in manual-mode and the ability to disappear and softly shrug off gear changes in auto-mode.
