Audi's Final Manual Quattro Coupe: A Future Classic

Audi is a carmaker that can trace its roots back way more than a century, but it could be argued that it wasn't until the '80s that cars with four rings on the nose really burst onto the scene. This was normally bursting through the fog on a forest stage, accompanied by the sound of a turbocharged five-pot being blasted through the gears, with Michèle Mouton or Stig Blomqvist at the wheel. Audi's iconic all-wheel-drive Quattro changed the world of performance cars in an instant , using mechanicals that were once the preserve of farm vehicles combined with the latest in turbocharging technology.

When the road car arrived , with a five-speed manual gearbox, the aforementioned all-wheel-drive, and a 172-horsepower 2.1-liter five-cylinder engine, it was a technological masterpiece and a recipe that inspired a whole era of JDM legends . What more could we as gearheads want? Well, it turns out that times have changed, and along with electrification, the times of manual-transmission AWD performance cars are numbered .

But, perhaps surprisingly, there was one turbo Audi coupe, with Quattro and a manual 'box, that was available new until not that long ago. Not only are these cars a bargain today, they are capable sleepers, and also future classics. Let's take a look.

The Audi S5 Is A Performance Audi Coupe Quattro With A Manual

When the Audi RS5 hit the market in 2010 (or 2013 for American buyers), it had all the markings of being a spiritual successor to the original Audi Quattro of the '80s. The flared box arches were there as a reminder of the RS5's iconic forebear, with a coupe body-style and all-wheel-drive. But, that's where the similarities seemed to stop. The RS5 has a 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 (with 450 horsepower on tap, forced induction simply wasn't necessary), and Audi’s seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic is the only choice of transmission.

The S5 Is The RS5's Sleeper Cousin

But the RS5 has a slightly lesser-known sibling that makes do without the muscular bodywork while being something of a sleeper instead. The S5 has fewer cylinders, too and less power, but it has a trick up its sleeve. Up until the 2017 model, the S5 was available with a proper six-speed manual gearbox (along with the option of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters) and turbocharging, making it perhaps closer in spirit to the '80s original. It was considerably cheaper new than the RS5 , and it's cheaper to buy secondhand, too, as we will discover later on in the article.

An In-Depth Look At The Manual Audi S5

The Audi S5 may be seen by some as a lesser model to the fire-breathing RS5, but it's certainly not short of punch. The S5 was launched with Audi's 4.2-liter V8 in the nose, but later the company quietly replaced this with a supercharged 3.0-liter direct-injected V6. This may sound like a bit of a let-down, but the V6 is smooth with a subtle-yet-purposeful growl and a decent 333 horsepower (just 30 horsepower down on the V8) and 325 lb-ft of torque.

The V6 S5 will scoot to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, cover a quarter mile in 13.4 seconds, and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. You can't help thinking that without the RS5 around, which pips it to the 60 mph post by 0.4 seconds, the S5 would make a very capable range-topper for the A5 range. As it is, it shrinks a little into the shadow of the RS5 - but this works in its favor.

The S5 Is Practical And Fast

With less aggressive styling, the S5 is a sleeper coupe for anyone wanting to make less of a fuss, but it will still keep up with a lot more showy muscle and sports cars at the lights. The styling is grown-up and quietly purposeful, with a ton of practicality , and it's a proper driver's car. Then there is the fact that there is a six-speed manual, which means that it may have more appeal to some hardcore enthusiasts than the paddle-auto RS5. You'll get better fuel economy too, if that's your thing with a performance car. It's worth noting that there are also some lesser, non-S Audi A5s with a manual gearbox around this time, but these are not typically viewed as performance models.

Here's Why The Audi S5 Is A Future Classic

Just as with BMW M-cars, Audis with the letter/s S or RS on the bootlid generally generate a lot of interest and have a loyal following. The Audi coupe has been a staple of the company's line-up for decades, including the '70s Audi 80 L, the 1980 Quattro, and the TT ( the iconic Audi that is heading for a reboot ), so it will always have a special place in the hearts of fans. Hagerty has plenty of praise for the S5: 'Audi’s first true four-seater coupe since the 80 Coupe production halted in 1995, the Walter de Silva-penned Audi A5 was basically a sleek and smart two-door version of the A4 sedan. It was also an armor-piercing bullet aimed right at the twin-kidney grille of the BMW’s 3 Series.'

Manual S5s Are Worth More Than Autos, Say The Experts

Of course, it's hard to predict what cars will be stonecold classics and which won't, but users at the Audi section of Reddit seem to agree that the S5 will be sought-after in the future. One user said: 'Undoubtedly. The 3.0T is one of the best engines ever put in a B chassis car. Last manual S cars. Arguably the best-looking generation. Arguably the most reliable S cars (URS4/6s were bulletproof too). It checks all the boxes for a future classic imo.' Hagerty says that manual cars hold a premium, and Reddit owners say the fact that the S5 comes with a stick shift will increase the desirability of the S5 in years to come. 'The design may hold pretty good, but in 10/15 years I think people will be looking for 2017 as it was last year for the manual,' said another.

Here's What To Pay For An Audi S5

Before we get to Audi S5 pricing, let's have a look at what to pay for the RS5. Expect to pay around $30K for an Audi RS5, says Classic.com, with 2013 models selling for an average of $32,993, 2014 models going for $29,703, and 2015 cars fetching $33,343. The S5 remember came with both the V8 and the V6, changing to a six-cylinder in 2013. A 2010 S5 coupe will cost $14,933, going up to $19,083 for the 2014 model year, and $24,583 for a 2015 car. For reference, the S5 coupe cost $54,050 new in 2015, with the cabriolet being priced at $62,050.

The S5 Is A Useful Saving Over The Faster RS5 - And Comes With A Manual

Ultimately, you are looking at a saving of around 30% by going for an S5 over an RS5, and you get a manual transmission too. For an interesting alternative to the Audi S5, look to the Ford Mustang GT. The 2015 Blue Oval car also comes with a six-speed manual, this time mated to a 5.0-liter V8. A 2015 Mustang GT ( which was also available with a space program-themed car ) will cost more than the S5, however, with an average price of $30,910, according to Classic.com.

Sources: Audi ; Classic.com