Audi scores a coup with S5 coupe

Beautiful, sophisticated and dynamic, the powerful 2008 S5 sport coupe is the car that finally allows Audi to challenge BMW as the premier luxury-performance brand.

The S5 is the V8-powered performance version of the new A5 coupe, which in turn is the two-door version of the German brand's great-looking new A4 sport sedan.

The A4 is to go on sale this fall as a 2009 model. The S5 and A5 are available now as 2008 models.

Prices for the S5 start at $50,500. Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system; a 354-horsepower, 4.2-liter direct-injection gasoline engine; and a six-speed manual transmission are standard.

Quattro also is standard equipment on the A5, which gets Audi's 265-horsepower, 3.2-liter, direct-injection V6 and starts at $39,900 with a manual six-speed. A six-speed automatic transmission adds $1,300 to the price of the S5 or A5. All prices exclude destination charges.

Interior

The S5 is extremely well-equipped. The only options on the car I tested were wood trim, a navigation system, a technology package that includes push-button start and a backup camera and a crystalline Bang & Olufsen stereo.

Soft leather upholstery is standard, as are beautifully shaped front sport seats that cup their occupants like a catcher's mitt. The rear seats are equally attractive, but rear legroom is minimal.

The power window switches had a mind of their own, occasionally rolling a window down when I pulled up, but they always mended their ways the second time I pulled the switch.

The interior is logically laid out and covered in attractive materials. Poor cupholders and the lack of power operation for the tilt and telescoping steering wheel were the only disappointments.

The center console has two cupholders, but only one is sized to hold anything much larger than a small-caliber Red Bull can, and the spring-loaded clips tend to crush paper cups.

Exterior

Luxury coupes exist to be beautiful and graceful, not practical, however, and the S5 fits the bill perfectly.

Wide and low, it is by far the best-looking big car ever from Audi. The sophisticated exterior can look simple, almost bland, at first glance, but it abounds in details that grow more appealing every time you see the S5.

The subtle, sweeping shoulder line from stem to stern is elegant; the long hood and wraparound fenders promise power and performance.

The fadeaway roofline follows the formula of the classic sport coupe. Audi was so enamored of the roof that it fitted the S5 with a large glass sunroof that tilts upward slightly but does not slide open — the designers thought having the glass panel slide back would spoil the car's lines.

They were right, but they should have ranked the driver's pleasure above that of bystanders admiring the S5 as it sweeps by. A sunroof that won't open is not much better than no sunroof at all.

Performance

Shortcomings such as cupholders and sunroof become minor indeed when the V-8 rumbles to life.

The free-revving direct-injection engine, which requires premium gasoline, provides excellent acceleration in all gears. But the shifter is a bit notchy, and the slightly heavy clutch gets tiresome in stop-and-go traffic.

The 51/49 weight distribution between front and rear axles keeps the car planted on the road through fast, fun curves.

The steering is sharp and precise with perfectly modulated speed-variable power assist. Steering feel and the S5's smooth and eager acceleration though curves further benefit from a new version of Quattro.

Audi has been a leader in interior and exterior design for decades. In the S5, it has delivered an exceptional sport coupe.