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"Iron Man 3" was released a few weeks ago, and it features an Audi R8, which has up to 550 horsepower which we decided to test and review.
We had to settle for an S5 that Audi loaned us. It didn’t feel like settling.
“Much more power than I’m accustomed to,” said Paul Johnson, our guest tester. He’s been driving since he was 8 years old, but mostly farm equipment and small cars. It’s the first time he’s even been in an Audi.
“I’m probably easily impressed,” he confessed during a spirited drive up Logan Canyon, but added, “I felt very secure, and I could go much faster.”
We did a review of the Audi A5 back in the winter, when its all-wheel drive did quite well. It makes 211 horsepower from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The S5 builds on that. The V8 gets replaced by a supercharged V6 this year. Audi says it makes 333 horsepower, but it gets better gas mileage.
This is one sports coupe that’ll hold its own against almost any car, unless it’s up against almost any car. Trying to get out of a car with two big doors that’s parked next to another car, while sitting very low to the ground, is not a graceful proposition.
Rear seat entry and exit is a pain, too. As is sitting back there if you’re not a kid.
Cargo space is excellent for the sports coupe class.
Radar cruise control is the most impressive on the gadget list, and it’s not controlled by the wheel and screen. The S5 also has blind-spot detection. When another car is in your blind spot, a light comes on on the outside rear-view mirror.
However, extra conveniences are not why you shell out an extra 18 grand for the S: It’s for the speed, all-wheel drive, paddle shifters for the seven-speed, and a special differential to help with handling.
“It’s definitely my friend, it feels like it has the power but it can also handle that power on all the curves that I was on,” Johnson said after his canyon drive.
It may not be Iron Man’s car, but it’s close enough for Johnson. For now.
Brian Champagne has reported on cars for more than nine years. He holds a master's degree in communications from the University of the Pacific and teaches at Utah State University.
