Review: Audi 8TA S5 Sportback (2010-16)

Review: Audi 8TA.I S5 Sportback (2010-11)

Overview

Released in June 2010, the Audi S5 Sportback was a five-door liftback. Manufactured in Ingolstadt, Germany, the Audi S5 Sportback was powered by a 3.0-litre supercharged petrol V6 engine that was mated to a seven-speed double-clutch transmission (Audi’s ‘S-Tronic’).

3.0 TFSI V6 engine

The S5 Sportback’s 3.0-litre CAKA TFSI V6 engine had an aluminium-silicon alloy crankcase, a die-forged steel crankshaft, a cast aluminium cylinder head, chain-driven double overhead camshafts, variable intake camshaft timing over a range of 42 degrees, four valves per cylinder (including chrome plated exhaust valves with sodium-filled stems), direct fuel injection (Audi’s ‘Fuel Stratified Injection’ or FSI) and a compression ratio of 10.3:1.

The 3.0 TFSI V6 engine featured a Roots-type positive displacement supercharger – produced by Eaton – that was positioned in the ‘V’ of the cylinder banks. The supercharger had twin four-lobe rotors and could force intake air into the combustion chambers at a maximum boost pressure of up to 0.8 bar.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the Audi A5 Sportback on which it was based, the S5 Sportback was 2 mm longer (at 4713 mm), the same width (1854 mm), 9 mm lower (1382 mm) and had the same length wheelbase (2810 mm). Furthermore, the S5 Sportback had five-link front suspension with upper and lower wishbones and trapezoidal link rear suspension.

quattro and electronic differential locks

The Audi S5 Sportback’s quattro system utilised a third-generation Torsen T-3 centre differential which provided a default front to rear torque split of 40:60. If traction was lost, however, up to 80 per cent of the engine’s torque could be directed to the front or rear axle.

The S5 Sportback was also fitted with front and rear electronic differential locks which could brake individual wheels to transfer torque across the open differential to the opposing wheel (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Audi S5 Sportback included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Features

Standard features for the Audi S5 Sportback included 18-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 R18 tyres, Multi Media Interface (Audi’s ‘MMI’) with a seven-inch colour display, ten speaker 180 watt stereo (including subwoofer), six-channel amplifier, six-stack CD player, auxiliary inputs (MP3/USB), TV tuner, satellite navigation, park assist display and voice recognition, three-zone climate control air conditioning, combination leather/Alcantara seats, power adjustable front seats, cruise control, directional bi-xenon headlights with LED driving lights, front and rear fog lamps, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, split and folding rear seats with load-through facility, remote central locking with proximity key, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, ambient lighting, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

Related links

• Specifications: Audi 8TA.I S5 Sportback (June 2010)
• Technical data: Audi 8TA.I S5 Sportback (June 2010)

Review: Audi 8TA.II S5 Sportback (2012-16)

Overview

Released in February 2012, the Audi 8TA Series II (8TA.II) S5 Sportback introduced fuel-saving technologies such as start-stop (i.e. engine shutdown in traffic), brake energy recuperation and an electro-mechanical power steering system. Other changes included revised rear suspension bearings and damper tuning and a crown gear centre differential for the quattro system.

Visually, the Audi 8TA.II S5 Sportback could be identified by its sharper bonnet edges, redesigned head- and tail-lights, larger front air intakes, sharper bonnet edges and new headlights with LED running lights. Inside, there new materials, a new multi-function steering wheel, white instrument illumination and revised switchgear.

Safety equipment

Compared to its 8TA.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Audi 8TA.II S5 Sportback was extended to include rear side airbags.

Features

As part of the 8TA.II update, the six-disc CD player was replaced by a single-disc player and standard features were extended to include a USB input, memory card reader, Bluetooth audio streaming and a 10GB hard drive for music storage.

Related links

• Specifications: Audi 8TA.II S5 Coupe, Cabriolet and Sportback (February 2012)
• Wikipedia.org: Audi 8T S5