Every once in a while, you stumble across a piece of art that is so breathtaking that you sit for several minutes to calm your breathing and to take in the overall experience of what it is that you are really witnessing. Seeing “Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo” hanging quietly at the Musée du Louvre is one of those situations. We know it more commonly as the Mona Lisa, by da Vinci, but regardless, it is one of those times that we find ourselves caught up in the moment. Seeing a Gulf-liveried Porsche 917 is another breath-snatching moment.

And then we saw Audi’s S5.

What is it?
Like an Olympian, the S5 is pure athlete, but in a sexy body. A four-seater based on Audi’s equally attractive A5 coupe, it is the high-performance version of the vehicle that was introduced as a 2008 model. Using the platform of its sibling, the Audi A4 as the basis for its DNA was a good start, but the good looks push it into an entirely different realm.

What’s it up against?
The Infiniti G37 coupe comes to mind. So does the BMW M3. Mercedes-Benz’s CLK550 is another player on the field. But the S5, although in the same performance category as these vehicles, is equipped standard with the Audi Quattro package, which seemingly finds its way on to most of the Ingolstadt-based automaker’s products.

The only logical direct competition then, would be the BMW 335i coupewith xDrive, the BMW trademark for their all-wheel-drive system.

Any breakthroughs?
Just from an auditory standpoint, the Audi S5 doesn’t disappoint in the least. Step on the loud pedal, and a husky, purr alerts your senses with the knowledge this is not just a run of the mill Audi, or any other car for that matter.

How does it look?
Imagine, for a second, a long wheelbase, two-door, A4 body. Sure, that combination exists in the A4 Cabriolet model, but in an abbreviated form. This one goes a step beyond. Add in the swoopy roofline, the athletic Coke bottle shape of the arched fenders, and the fastback appearance, and it takes you to a completely different place. Making its way up front once again is the familiar “horse collar” grille with vertical chrome accents to identify the higher performance that is part and parcel of the S-division. We understand the look is a throwback to the old Auto Union C and D type racers, but from some angles it can look a little ungainly.

Chrome accents also carry the day around the side glass and help to define the opening. Brushed aluminum side-mirrors are jewel-like in their placement, and feature the now standard folding function, which has been a European staple for years, only recently gaining acceptance on these shores. Side scalloping on the lower flanks of the doors swoop up in a wedge fashion and form the perfect counterpoint for the rear of the car which is highlighted by the addition of a trunk lid lip spoiler for added high-speed downforce. The S5 is crowned by an oversized glass moonroof, which lifts but does not slide. In the rear, the wrap around taillights tuck in under the trunk lid to form a clean finish. Finally, the lower valance is finished off with a pair of chromed exhaust tips on either side of the S5.

And inside?
Aircraft-like at first glance, Audi continues to show why they are at the top of their game when it comes to interior design. Designing an interior like Ermenegildo Zenga designs suits, Audi allows for playfulness in a buttoned up, Teutonic sort of way. A double-needle stitched leather-wrapped steering wheel sits in the business side of the cockpit and is the centerpoint for everything else that happens there. The wheel seems to direct the driver’s focus to the teardrop-shaped gauges just beyond it, which show speedo and tach settings, as well as the now familiar information screen between the two.

The center stack is home to the Bang & Olufson audio system, which also incorporates Audi’s MMI interface. Standing for Multi-Media Interface, it is easier to use than that of other brands, and allows for quick “go-backs” by way of the return button. You need only to have experienced other units to appreciate the functionality of this one. By the way, at $850, the B&O audio package is a bargain. Since that is substantially less than one of their home entertainment units, it falls under my core philosophy that “you can’t drive your house, but you can always sleep in your car.”

Carbon fiber accents set off the short-throw shifter of the six-speed manual gearbox, and lead to the rear of the center console which houses a storage bin, and climate controls for the two rear passengers. Oh, did we mention the S5 is a four-place sports coupe?

Occupants of those four places get to place their backsides in Alcantara and leather-trimmed sport buckets which offer plenty of support to keep you positioned during spirited driving. The rear seats fold down in a 60/40 split and have a ski storage pass-through hatch, too.

But does it go?
Audi’s Quattro system has been around since Fred Flintstone was driving his cave-car to the drive-in for brontosaurus burgers. But it is still one that manages to impress with its sensible handling, and moveable torque, adapting from the standard 40% front, 60% rear bias, to whatever current driving situations require.

Powering the all-wheel-drive is Audi’s FSI direct injection 4.2-liter V8. A jewel that manages 354-horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, it is beautiful to look at as well as drive. An aside: How is Audi able to design a good looking powerplant while other manufacturers would rather cover theirs with gobs of plastic cladding? But we digress.
Sixty miles-per-hour clicks off in 4.9-seconds. Not supercar territory, but semi-respectable for a sled that tips in at nearly 3,900 lbs. Speed is electronically limited by that (ahem) gentleman’s agreement to 155 mph.

Get in the Captain’s chair, and back up using the review camera that’s part of the MMI works. Throwing the six-speed into first gear makes you appreciate the precision of the S5’s manual gearbox. It’s just one of those “snick, snick, snick” affairs where you think where you want it to go next, and it does so, almost effortlessly. Banging through the gears brings up the vehicle’s “soundtrack,” which is pure music in a high performance sort of way.

Steering from start adapts progressively according to your speed. The handling seems to have gotten a boost by the extra length of the wheelbase over the A4 that it is based on. Weight distribution has received an assist as the engine sits between the axles instead of over the front pieces. The five-link setup in front, and the independent rear with its anti-dive bits help the S5 to track true. Special S-type 13.6-inch discs in front, and 13-inch platters out back help to bring things to a halt. But while the longer wheelbase helps settle things, it does not make for a super sharp handler of the caliber of say, the TT. For intents and purposes, lets consider this a boulevardier that would provide the ultimate in a grand touring experience, but could still muster up the stones to throw down when needed.

Not that it might make a difference to those willing to plunk down 58-Large, but at 14 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, expect to pay a visit to your local purveyor of petrol every 200 miles or so.

Why you would buy it:
All your neighbors are beside themselves over the Mercs and BMWs in their drives. You think the folks in Ingolstadt can do no wrong, and besides, you agree with VW Group design chief Walter de’Silva, who claims this is the most beautiful car he has ever designed.

Why you wouldn’t:
You become severely claustrophobic in a car with less than four doors.

2009 Audi S5, $50,500. As tested, $58,015.
Audi Navigation Plus, $2,390; Techonology package, $1,700; Bang & Olufson audio system, $850; Carbon Atlas inlays, $500; Gas Guzzler Tax, $1,300; Destination, $750.

Words and Photos by Mark Elias.