2007 Geneva Auto Show: 2008 Audi S5 photos and assorted details

2008 Audi S5 - Scott Jacobs

Here are our photos of the 2008 Audi S5, which debuted alongside the A5 this morning but was quickly overrun by admirers who wouldn't stop popping the hood and opening all the doors.

2008 Audi S5 - Scott Jacobs

Of course, we popped the hood, too, to get a look at the S5's 4.2-liter direct-injection V8.

2008 Audi S5 FSI V8 engine - Scott Jacobs

At dinner this evening I had a few moments to talk to Michael Dick, a member of Audi AG's board of management for technical development, and who, despite the longish title, seems to have taken a hands-on role in the development of the A5 and S5. He said he's already logged 10,000 km behind the wheel of these new coupes. Naturally, he's driven them in all the good places -- Audi's proving grounds, the Nurburgring, etc.

I asked him how the driving dynamics have changed, compared to the A4 and A6 families, with the engines located further back in the chassis. His reply was pretty much what we expected: "The weight shift from the front to the rear is better, and the understeer tendency is much less." And with the steering column positioned close to the wheels, he added, "it has a very good reaction on steering command."

We also asked Mr. Dick how he would equip his coupe were he to buy one. He didn't hesitate: "I would get the S5 with the manual gearshift and the sport seats." Just as in the A5 we saw on stage, the S5 at the Palexpo had creamy leather upholstery. But the lateral bolstering is much more aggressive, and Mr. Dick pointed out, these upgraded seats have integrated neckrests.

2008 Audi S5 interior - Riches