A5/S5/RS5 Road Test Review: 2008 Audi S5

[Bartek S.]

Slide into the surprisingly comfortable seats with Alcantara inserts and push the start button. The 4.2L, 354-hp DOHC V8 doesn't roar to life like you would expect, but just sort of wakes up from its slumber. The shift knob for the 6-speed manual transmission fits solidly and comfortably in your hand.
Give the S5 some gas and you are off...not in a flurry of tire smoke and wheel spin, but in a calm and collected movement with a barely noticeable burble from the dual exhaust. The exhaust on the Audi S5 is almost too quiet at times but when you do notice it, it sounds wonderful. A low-end burble that is almost reminiscent of a Subaru WRX STi...weird, I know.

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