One thing you can be sure of: for as long as Audi->ke14 keeps building the A5, you can bet that there's an accompanying S5->ke2297 in there.

As the high-performance variant of the A5, the S5 first greeted the world in 2007 and since then, it's became a staple in Audi's performance-oriented lineup. This longevity is an achievement that shouldn't be taken lightly, given that the S5 was introduced to compete with an enormously popular German sports car from one of Audi's fiercest rivals: the M3->ke2366 from BMW->ke178.

For the 2013 model year, the S5 returns with some refreshed styling and brochure load of features that customers can choose from.

Performance numbers are down from the previous model, but that's been offset by improved fuel efficiency. That's the kind of news that might disappoint the speed nut, but works pretty well for those who want a German sports car without having to feel guilty about dumping tons of fuel in the tank.

Click past the jump to read about the 2013 - 2014 Audi S5

2013 - 2014 Audi S5 Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 - 2014 Audi S5 Coupe
  • Horsepower: 333
  • Torque: 325
  • Transmission: six-manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Although there aren't that many significant upgrades to the 2013 - 2014 S5, there are a few things worth noting, including the revised front fascia with the new headlamp clusters.

Considering that Audi was the pioneer of the LED movement, it's not surprising that it took to great lengths to give the S5 the full-LED treatment, front and back.

Other than these minor totes, and the accompanying features of the S5's Premium Plus Package, the S5's looks remain the same from last year's version.

Exterior Dimensions:

Wheelbase (in)

108.3 inches

Length

182.7 inches

Height

53.9 inches

Width

73.0 inches

Trackfront / rear

62.5 inches / 62.0 inches

Curb weight

3,858 lbs (Quattro M/T) / 3,924 lbs (Quattro S Tronic)

Weight distribution

n/a

Ground clearance (loaded)

n/a


2013 Standard Exterior Features (Premium Plus Package)

-Platinum Gray matte front grille with chrome struts

-Body-colored door sill blades (beneath doors)

-Alu-optic mirror housings and front & rear diffuser blades Dual twin-outlet exhaust

-V6T badging on front fenders, S5 logos on grille & trunklid

-Space-saving spare tire

-18" Five-parallel-spoke S-design wheels w/ 245/40 summer tires

2014 Standard Exterior Features

- All 2013 standard features

Interior

The interior of the Audi S5 offers an uncompromising blend of renewed suave and functionality, which is all you can ask for from a basic facelift.

Audi took lengths to revise the instrument cluster, ensuring a more simplistic look that you can get used to pretty quickly. Everything else is still pretty much on the same spots as the 2012 model, although Audi is offering a selection of new upholstery options for those interested in leveling up their leather.

In the same breath, a host of new interior colors have also been added, ensuring that you'll have a far more difficult time picking which of these colors suit your personality best. Audi says that the Chestnut Brown interior choice will come with a black headliner option. Pretty interesting, right?

Save for these added choices, the S5's interior still packs all the space, style, and functionality you'll need in your sports coupe.

Interior Dimensions:

Headroom sunroof (in, front/rear)

39.1/ 36.0

Headroom sunshade (in, front/rear)

37.9/ 36.0

Legroom (in, front/rear)

41.3/ 31.7

Shoulder room (in, front/rear)

54.3/ 52.8

Luggage capacity (cu ft)

12.2


2013 Standard Interior Features (Premium Plus Package)

- Audi music interface with iPod cable

-Audi premium sound system (one CD) with SiriusXM Satellite Radio Audi xenon plus front lighting with LED daytime running lights & taillights

-Auto-dimming interior mirror with compass

-Auto-dimming, heated exterior mirrors

-Brushed aluminum decorative inlays

-Color driver information system with trip computer Garage door opener (HomeLink)

-Heated, twelve-way power front seats with driver memory Preparation for mobile phone (Bluetooth)

-Three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel (with shift paddles on auto)

-Split-folding rear seatback

2014 Standard Interior Features (Premium Plus Package)

- All 2013 standard features, plus:

- Audi Drive Select

- Audi advanced key

2013 Standard Interior Features (Prestige Package)

-Audi adaptive light

-Audi advanced key

-Audi MMI Navigation plus package

-Audi side assist

-Band & Olufsen Sound System

2014 Standard Interior Features (Prestige Package)

-All 2013 standard features

Performance

The 2013 - 2014 Audi S5 is powered by a 3.0-liter Quattro engine that produces 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, good enough to still hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The output is down by 21 horsepower from the 2012 model, but still, no complaints coming from us, especially since the fuel efficiency is up by 3 mpg in the city and as much as 4 mpg in the highway. We guess it’s a matter of valuing priorities, right?

Top speed is still electronically limited at 155 mph. That's hardly going to change unless you take the electronics out of the equation, something that can easily be done anyway.

Performance Specs:

Engine type

Six-cylinder

Arrangement

Front mounted-longitudinal

Bore

3.33 inches

Stroke

3.5 inches

Displacement

182.8 (2,995 cc)

Compression ratio

10.3:1

Horsepower @ rpm

333 @ 5,500 rpm

Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)

325 @2,900 rpm

Induction / Fuel injection

Supercharged / FSI

quattro manual (0-60 mph))

4.9

quattro S tronic (0-60)

4.9 / 5.3

Top speed (electronically limited)*

155 mph


Suspension

The suspension components for the Audi S5 include a five-link front suspension with stabilizer bar, an S5 sports suspension calibration, and an electromechanical power steering system.

Pricing

2013 Model Year

b>Engine

Trim Package

Transmission

Price

Premium Plus

Quattro Manual

$50,900

Prestige

Quattro S Tronic

$52,300


2014 Model Year

Trim Package

Transmission

Price

Premium Plus

Quattro Manual

$52,000

Prestige

Quattro Manual

$58,250

Premium Plus

Quattro S Tronic

$53,400

Prestige

Quattro S Tronic

$59,650


Competition

2013 BMW M3

The new Audi S5 Coupe will always have the BMW->ke178 at its crosshairs. That doesn't change. But if you're really looking into the full equation of what makes for a better choice, the faster and more powerful M3 seems to be the ideal option.

Compared to the S5's 3.0 mill, the 4.0-liter V-8 under the M3's hood gives it some serious performance strength in the form of 420 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Top speed, though, also remains at 155 mph, shackling whatever power advantage the M3 may have over the S5.

And like we said, it's all a matter of priorities. If you're not too enamored by the M3's mighty muscles, you can take comfort knowing that the 2013 - 2014 S5 is far more fuel efficient than its German counterpart's 14/20 mpg city/highway fuel economy.

Conclusion

It's a little disappointing that the S5's power is down significantly - 21 horsepower is nothing to sneeze at - so that's a bummer. But there are some positives to the car, particularly its fuel efficiency, which looks like a true strength of the S5 relative to other cars in its market.

And it's not like you're getting a tortoise under that hood. Despite carrying just 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, the 2013 - 2014 S5 is still good enough to hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. That, on its own, is a victory for this German sports coupe, the kind that can translate to healthy sales, too.

Category

Rating

Details

Driving

B+

Handles pretty well and flexible enough to tackle serious turns

Performance

C+

Lower output from past models is a bit of a downer

Look

B

Didn't change a great deal, which is a good thing

Value

B

It'll cost you some money, but still around the market standards

Overall

B

German sports coupe gives you enough of what you need while expecting little in return