One of our most viewed articles here was the comparison we have done between the Audi S5, Infiniti G37 and the BMW 335i coupe. The comparison was strictly based on the exterior design and we mentioned that in our article. Many of our readers have told us that the direct competitor to the S5 will be the BMW M3 and we fully agree.
Therefore, when we saw the review on the Audi S5 made by forbesauto.com, we knew that we had to share it with you.

The Audi S5 coupe is sexy, agile, and packs a strong V8 punch.
BMW has long reigned atop the upper echelon of the compact sports coupe market with its high-performance M3. The two-door Audi S5 challenges the M3’s authority with a powerful V8 engine and other assorted upgrades over the A5 model upon which it’s based. That A5 is, in turn, derived from the next generation of the A4 sedan.

Exterior
Much of the Audi S5’s sleek styling — inspired by the striking Nuvolari Quattro concept coupe that graced the auto show circuit in 2003 — is carried over from the A5, but with a few more aggressive touches. The brand’s signature outsized trapezoidal grille is finished in platinum gray and fitted with chrome inlays.
It’s flanked by wide headlamps and larger lower air intakes, with bulging wheel wells, a flowing beltline, and a squared-off rear-end treatment; this last region features a more pronounced rear spoiler than on the A5, with quad exhausts lurking below.

Performance
A direct-injection 4.2-liter V8 engine can propel the Audi S5 to 60 miles per hour in around five seconds, which makes it a full second quicker than the V6-powered A5. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic with manual gear selection. Unfortunately, the automaker’s acclaimed manual/automatic Direct Shift Gearbox is not available on the Audi S5.
The Audi S5’s design places the engine closer to the center of the vehicle than in the S4. In addition to allowing a shorter front overhang, the automaker says this configuration results in better front-to-rear balance and improved driving dynamics. To that end, the Audi S5 rides on a specially tuned sports suspension with 18-inch wheels and performance tires; while this setup maximizes the car’s handling abilities, it does so at the expense of ride comfort.
The coupe’s performance is further enhanced by the automaker’s standard quattro all-wheel-drive system. Here it’s rear-biased on a 40/60 front-to-rear ratio for sportier handling than afforded by the usual 50/50 setup; the system can send additional power front or rear as needed on a continuous basis, both for added foul-weather traction and to maximize the Audi A5’s dry-pavement cornering abilities. The car’s standard stability control system can be deactivated in two stages to allow a varying degree of wheel spin for more aggressive cornering without computer intervention. Beefed-up four-wheel antilock disc brakes come with black-painted calipers.

Interior
The Audi S5’s leather-clad interior is handsomely cast with a cockpit-like dashboard design and a choice of wood, carbon, aluminum, or stainless steel trim. It’s distinguished from the A5 by virtue of its gray gauges, aluminum sill plates, and supportive sport seats. Two passengers can ride in the rear, though taller riders will have issues with the diminished headroom that’s a byproduct of the car’s sharply sloping roofline. Front, front-side, and side-curtain airbags that cover both rows of seats are standard on the Audi S5.
The latest version of the automaker’s MultiMedia Interface, which uses a joystick-like knob and LCD display to control the audio, climate control, and optional satellite navigation systems, is included on the Audi S5. It’s not as confounding as BMW’s widely vilified iDrive system, but it’s still more complex to operate than a conventional array of buttons and knobs. The Audi S5 includes adaptive high-intensity headlamps and a 14-speaker premium audio system from Danish hi-fi specialist Bang & Olufsen.
The S5 includes an Advanced Key keyless entry and starting system that stores vehicle data, such as warning messages from the vehicle’s information center and the car’s current mileage, to make servicing easier.
Closest Competitors
BMW M3; Mercedes-Benz CLK 550





- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

These readers must have been smoking the wrong substances because clearly the S5 IS NOT the direct competitor to the BMW M3. How can these people "fully agree" with their ignorant readers? The new M3 is more comfortable and civilised than before but it is still more hardcore and focused than the S5.

The difference between the S5 and the M3 is that the M3 perform exceedingly well in all areas on both the road and track, the S5 can only hope to match the M3 on road and it has no chance on the track at all. The S5 is a GT with a powerful enough engine to provide the occasional thrill for the driver blasting down a straight road, however when it comes to true driving pleasure, the M3 is still unmatched, well at least until the RS5 arrives. I guess I am stating the obvious but it is clear these people just don’t get it.

S5 is M3 rival?!!

Yeah, I was laughing quite hard when I read that too.

The S3 is a 330ci competitor.

Maybe when they produce an RS5, it may be an M3 competitor?

The S5 like the S4 had no competitor from BMW- they were never direct competitors to the M3. The introduction of the 335i changed that dynamics- the 335i does everything an S5/S4 does but at a bargain price.

Me as well. The S5 is a great car, but in no way can it rival the M3.

on a wet track, the S5 will drive circles around the M3

Not necessarily, Bill Auberlen bested some S4s in the Speed World Challenge in the wet a couple of years ago. Thou, not many of us can drive like Bill can.

Well that depends on the driver,but if u r talking about average drivers then yes.