This entirely new model is Audi’s interpretation of a classic touring coupe, combining dynamism with refined elegance to produce an undeniably stylish vehicle.

The new S5 is the company’s top coupe, arriving in Australia ahead of other A5 models and signalling Audi’s strong focus on performance. The sporty S5 4.2-litre V8 quattro Coupe with 260 kW and 440 Nm arrives first in manual guise, with a swift six speed manual transmission, priced at $131,900 (RRP). A tiptronic version, priced at $134,900 (RRP), will follow in May 2008.

Audi Australia’s Managing Director, Mr Joerg Hofmann, says the new A5/S5 range heralds a clear step forward for the brand in terms of desirability.

“This new Coupe is a stunning vehicle and we believe it is the best in its class. With competitive pricing, advanced engine technology and elegant design, the A5 and S5 models will surely turn the heads of the luxury car-buying public,” Mr Hofmann said.

“Audi is a brand on the move in Australia and this new model will help propel us towards yet another period of record sales growth.”

With a length of 4.63 metres, the new Coupe is capacious, with four comfortable seats and an ample load volume of 455 litres. Its generous proportions are another nod to its purpose as a genuine long-distance tourer.

The complete A5 range will feature powerful and economical FSI, TFSI and TDI engines, matched to a completely new high-precision running gear, which, along with innovative, luxury-class equipment features.

For design chief, Walter de’Silva, the Audi A5/S5 is a very important car, successfully combining sportiness, power, sophistication and elegance – the core elements of the Audi brand’s genetic code.

“The A5 is of course a very powerful and superlatively sporty car,” said Walter de’Silva. “It is the most beautiful car I have ever designed.”

“Nevertheless, it doesn't come across as the least bit aggressive or arrogant.”

There is a classic elegance and a harmony of proportions, lines and surfaces that set the Audi brand’s new two-door model apart.

“It is especially the way the shoulder line extends, with the back roof pillar flowing into it and the long transition to the short rear, which gives the A5 and its S5 sibling the identity of a typical gran turismo, a sophisticated touring sports car,” de’Silva added.

At the very top of the range, the first vehicle to arrive - the purist Audi S5 with manual transmission - is a superb athlete with an unique character amongst high-performance coupés, thanks to its combination of V8 FSI technology, quattro permanent four-wheel drive, dynamically-tuned S sports suspension and mighty high-performance brakes. Subtle but clear design elements inside and out serve to visually reinforce the sporty character.

With these qualities the S5 follows in the footsteps of the legendary Audi quattro. As the pioneer of permanent four-wheel drive for the road, the Audi quattro was nothing short of a revolution in handling at its launch in 1980.

High levels of standard specification, vehicle security and safety are assured with this new model. Alongside the 18-inch wheels and the electrically adjustable S5 sports seats, the standard equipment specification for the S5 features items such as the swivelling Audi adaptive light, in conjunction with xenon plus headlights and daytime running lights in the form of an LED light strip, Bluetooth telephone preparation, DVD-based Navigation System and three-zone automatic air conditioning. All luxury-class options from the A5 programme are also available, including the Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Launch Timeline for Australia