Project Audi A5 2.0T Quattro Sline

PROJECT

I couldn't wait to late September or October for my A5 delivery from Audi.
I had to find a new car out on the market. I found two objects, one brand new 2009 TT 2.0T Quattro with Sline Exterior and 19" RS4 style rims and one 2009 A5 with 4000km and I had a hard time deciding which one to choose.
In the end I couldn't resist this brilliant red A5 with Sline Exterior and the great 5-spoke Y-designed 19". The brilliant red Audi TT 2.0T Quattro with Stronic, Sline Exterior and 7 dual-spoke RS4 19" is a great looking and fun car to drive. The price was more or less the same and it's two great cars but very different from each other. The A5 was located in Gothenburg and the TT in Sundsvall. The distance to Sundsvall and the fact that the A5 is more versatile car convinced me to choose the later. It was a hard choice and I'm sure that the TT would have pleased me greatly. Many thanks to Mikael Saltin at AB Berner & Co in Sundsvall.

TT with Sline Exterior and 19" RS4 wheels.

A5 with Sline Exterior and 5-spoke 19" Y-design wheels.

Specification:
2009 Audi A5 2.0T Quattro
6-speed manual
350Nm @1500-4200rpm
211hp @4300-6000rpm
0-100km/h in 6.5s
Top speed 246km/h
Combined 7.4l/100km, 173g/km CO₂

C8C8 Brilliant red
GD Interior code black/black/black/silver
N5F Empore black fabric interior
5TE Inlays in Aluminium hologram
2Z7 Deletion of model and engine capacity at the rear
6NQ Black headlining
6XE Door mirrors - electrically-folding
7D3 Audi Music Interface for 3rd generation iPod or USB memory stick
9AQ 3-zone Automatic Climate Control
9Q4 Drivers information system with 6.5" colour display
9VD Audi Sound System
9ZF Mobile phone preparation with Bluetooth handsfree
PQD Sline Exterior package
PRV 5-spoke Y-design 8.5x19" ET32 rims with 255/35-19 tires
QE1 Storage package
WAX Proline package
WKI Sport package

Sline exterior includes:
Larger air intake in front
Sporty designed diffusor
Down painted door cunnings
Sportier design on front and rear bumpers
Air intake under the single frame grill
Rear diffusor with aluminium optic
S-line logo front and rear and on the mid cunnings

Sport package includes:
Sport chassis
Sport seats with electrical lumbar support
Rims of your own choice

Proline package includes:
Cruise control
PDC Plus - Parking Distance Control by acoustically and graphically indicating distances to obstacles in front of and behind
Radio Concert with CD-player, SD-card reader and MP3/WMA from CD-media
Alarm
Through load facility with ski sack

Audi Sound System includes:
6-channel amplifier with total output 180W
10 speakers including centre speaker in dash and subwoofer in hatrack

Many brands are beginning to offer tuning upgrades for their turbo engines and I do hope that Audi will offer such upgrade in a near future. It would be fun to have this engine with +250hp. 350Nm of torque is OK and I don't need much more grunt but I would like a sportier character with some edge at higher revs.
I had my eyes open for a red 2008 Audi S5, but the price was too high, vehicle will be outside warranty quite soon and the fuel consumption specification is way to heavy for my driving. Even if my driving is not mainly city, it's more city than highway and I would easily end up with 14-15l/100km. I love acceleration too much and I know that I would not be able to resist the urge of letting the pedal touching the floor. For the moment I can't really defend this fuel consumption for myself and it might be acceptable with the RS4 performance. Maybe Audi has introduced the S4 V6T or even better the TT RS/RS3 R5T in the S5 coupé or launched a V8T RS5 when it's time for me to look for a successor.

Let's go home...

I will need new friction tires this winter and I've already started to look for possibilities.
AFL replica rims S5 design in 8x18" size or the 5-spoke Y-design in 8x18" size sold by JMK Däck & Fälg in Sweden.
Most likely I will go for Pirelli Winter SOTTOZERO Serie II in 245/40-18.

OR WITH

2009-06-16:
Four OEM Audi S4/S5 cabriolet 8.5x18" rims are ordered and I hope and believe that they will both look nice on the car and be easy to keep clean. Delivered 2009-07-27.

2009-06-21:
I like the A5 more and more and I don't regret choosing the A5 over the TT. I have never owned a red car before and I used to say that I would never buy a red or white car... Well, the brilliant red on the A5 is not so common and it's an attention magnet and depending on how one look at it, it's a good or a bad feature. I'm not so much exhibitionistic and people staring and even taking photos of the car is flattering but maybe a bit over the top.

Notes: The cruise control is more advanced from what I'm used to. If the cruise is active and set it will hold the speed even during gear change, both up and down. The cruise control will also us the brakes to make sure that set speed is held. With the cruise control set at 90km/h you push the pedal to overtake a slower vehicle and the speed soon exceeds 120km/h. Lift the accelerator and press resume and the car will brake by itself and resume stored speed. This is also a good feature when driving in slopes where the speed normally increase by gravity.

I also love the fact that I finally can add MP3 music on a CD and play it in my car. Functionality and presentation in the colour display is very good. The Bluetooth functionality is also much better than what I'm used to from Volvo and I'm now convinced that this is a very good option. Sound quality both in the car and landside is very good and the phone book is presented with many options making it easy to access.

PDC Plus - Parking Distance Control is more needed in the A5, than what it was in the A4. It's hard to see the rear corners and wide A- and C-pillars can hide quite large obstacles.

If you know someone working within Audi Powertrain development, please have him/her contact me!

2009-07-08:
Fuel consumption Combined is stated to 7.4l/100km (225/50-17 wheels) and I believe this to be a hard to reach figure. My A4 2.0TS Quattro managed an average of 10.8l/100km over ~35000km. The A5 is still new, but after 1100km with me behind the wheel the average fuel consumption is 11.3l/100km. Latest tank shows 10.7l/100km. Not the result I had expected and some related to extremely hot weather in Sweden with ACC working hard and some to 255/35-19 wheels...
I hope to see an improvement over the next pit stops and if the fuel consumption stay above 10l/100km I will be very disappointed. I can only imagine what fuel consumption I would have got from the S5...

2009-07-17:
Some items on my to do/buy list. Mud flaps in all four corners, LED license plate illumination and maybe LED H11 fog lights. I will also look for a used S5 rear diffusor and catback exhaust system. I think that the design on any car looks more balanced and sporty with one (two) tail pipe on each side.

2009-08-02:
Full tank today and 598,9km and 57,66l equals 9,6l/100km. With ~350km of highway and motorway driving this is really not the fuel consumption that I hoped for. I expect the fuel consumption to drop at least 1l/100km over the next 4000-5000km. If I can reach 9l/100km combined I would be satisfied even though I would hope 8,5l/100km.
I know that it normally takes 10000-12500km to break in a new car and so it's not time to loose hope yet!

2009-08-17:
Full tank today and 509,4km and 53,08l equals 10,4l/100km. That's 3l/100km above stated fuel consumption.
I'm curious to find out if fuel consumption will drop later this autumn when I mount the 245/40-18 Pirelli Sottozero...
For the moment I'm far from impressed!

I had a talk with Audi Germany and Audi Sweden in search for a SW tune approved by Audi, but at the moment there's nothing available. I've also been in contact with ABT in Germany but they don't offer any warranty outside Germany and I don't want to risk my ride when I don't have any warranty or insight in the SW tune.
If I new that a tune followed my philosophy and I could have a look at the calibration and see that it is done according to my high quality expectation, don't stress the powertrain without boundaries and most importantly, don't change any safety parameters, I wouldn't hesitate with a SW tune!

I want to be convinced and dazzled - claimed 275hp @5400rpm and 390Nm @2000-4900rpm is impressive and with a price tag of 1554€ it ought to be. Still I can't help being sceptical to any power figure above 250-255hp. Why would Audi leave so much margin for a power tune and not use it themselves!?
Audi TTS and S3 comes with tuned 2.0T engine with 272hp/265hp and that's with bigger turbocharger etc.
A tuned 211hp/350Nm A5 2.0T with 275hp/390Nm will of course crush the 265hp/320Nm 3.2Q in performance and most other features except sound and maybe vibrations, so why keep the door open for tuning if you don't intend to use it?

Why not do as Volvo and Polestar and sell an official SW tune together with any trustworthy Audi racing team?

2009-08-23:
I would like to buy a stock Sline Exterior diffusor and rebuild it with a dual exhaust look.

I would like to have a personal touch that is similar to the S5, but even though it looks as an original part is unique. There are many styling companies offering diffusor's for the A5, but they do too much! Now I just need to find someone or a company that can build this for me with high quality and finish.

The different diffusors of A5/S5.

Together with mud flaps in all four corners I'm also considering 5-10mm rear spacers and 3-5mm front spacers.

2009-09-22:
Another full tank today and fuel consumption is higher than ever. 10.8l/100km and the car now has 7703km. Last tank at 2009-09-04 showed 10.6l/100km and I just don't know how to get the fuel consumption down. I drive 50/50 in the city and on 70-90km/h highways and 7.4l/100km mixed driving seems like a fairytale!

2009-10-07:
I can't get the fuel consumption down to a decent level. With 8228km the fuel consumption still stays far above 10l/100km and I have yet another 10.8l/100km.

Comparison
1996 Volvo 850 T-5R 2.3l turbo tuned from 240hp/330Nm to 300hp/440Nm, performance +25%
Average fuel consumption last year in my possession 12.7l/100km with a final distance of 65424km before it was sold
1550kg and 225/35-18 wheels and and claimed 9.4l/100km mixed driving, difference +35%

2001 Volvo S60 T5 2.3l turbo tuned from 250hp/330Nm to 320hp/450Nm, performance +28%
Average fuel consumption last year in my possession 11.4l/100km with a final distance of 73272km before it was sold
1580kg and 245/35-19 wheels and claimed 9.3l/100km mixed driving, difference +22%

2006 Audi A4 2.0TS Quattro 2.0l turbo stock 220hp/300Nm,
Average fuel consumption last year in my possession 10.8l/100km with a final distance of 50100km before it was sold
1700kg and 235/40-18 wheels and claimed 9.0l/100km mixed driving, difference +20%

2009 Audi A5 2.0T Quattro 2.0l turbo stock 211hp/350Nm
Average fuel consumption 10.8l/100km between 4250km and 8228km
1565kg and 255/35-19 wheels and claimed 7.4l/100km mixed driving, difference +46%

All four cars have been driven the same (Volvo's most likely a bit harder) and used on the same roads, but fuel consumption in the stock A5 is close to the highly tuned S60 even though it lacks more than 100hp and 100Nm...

I just wonder where I would have been today if I had bought the S5?
2009 Audi S5 with 6-speed manual is specified 12.1l/100km mixed driving and add 46% to that, I would have ended up in around 17.6l/100km and with higher insurance and double road tax it would have killed the fun.

Besides the fuel consumption I really love my A5 and it's without any doubt the best car I have ever owned. Quality is near perfect and far from what I got used to in Volvo. Not one unwanted noise, not a squeak or a rattle under any circumstances, firm but yet comfortable despite the Sport chassis and 255/35-19 wheels, great seats even though they lack alcantara or leather and I love both exterior and interior styling. I just wish that it had a more sporty character since 350Nm and 211hp doesn't match the appearance and with 10.8l/100km I don't approve the result made by Audi Powertrain division. The engine is too restrained and with 30-50Nm and 40-60hp more it would most likely be more efficient with fuel. The torque curve is exactly the opposite from the engine character that I promote.

2009-10-16:
One Sline Exterior diffusor is ordered and I hope that I can finalize the idea of two dual tailpipes with a personal styling that no one else got. The cost for the diffusor was lot less than expected, so at least I will not risk a lot of money on this part.

This is what I'm going for and the net will be painted in a darker tone of grey, most likely Volvo 214 dark grey met.!

I will also have to decide what colour to use on the diffusor.
Stock platinum grey met., phantom black pearl or solid briliant black...

If the result with the diffusor turns out OK I will most likely go for a Caractere rear spoiler as well.
I think that it's sporty with a discrete and "original" looking design.

2009-11-05:
Diffusor is sent for modification and I have decided that phantom black pearl will be the colour on the diffusor.

8.5x18" ET29 Audi S4/S5 cab rims with Pirelli Winter 240 SottoZero 245/40-18 mounted on the car.
I'm curious to see what will happen with the fuel consumption with the slightly smaller tire dimension...

19" summer wheels are washed, waxed, bagged and stored for the winter.

2009-11-07:
Diffusor modification in progress and I believe that it will look really good on the car.
Reinforced with carbon fiber and modelled it looks really promising.

2009-11-12:
Diffusor is at the paintshop and it will be painted in Audi Phantom black pearl Z9Y.
I have refilled and to my astonishment the fuel consumption was 10.9l/100km this tank!

The S4/S5 8.5x18" rims with Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero 245/40-18 works great.
Quiet, smooth and even if the feel is a bit less compared to the summer wheels, I'm really happy with this setup.

2009-11-24:
Diffusor is back from the paintshop. Painted in Audi Phantom black pearl Z9Y.
Gillis who made the plastic work did am amazing job. Gillis have worked for the Design department at VCC.

2009-11-28:
Diffusor is mounted on the car and I have to decide the colour on the "net".
Right now I'm thinking about solid black and then roll Volvo 214 dark grey to get depth and visual effect of metal net.
I will experiment and see...
Heat shield and exhaust mount for right side is ordered and as soon as I have the parts, we will start build the new stainless exhaust system.
Aim is to have two exhaust with dual Ø80mm pipes similar to the dual pipe on my S60.

2009-11-24 2009-11-28

2009-11-28 Photoshop edited

2009-12-09:
Diffusor and catback exhaust with 2x dual 80mm tailpipes on the car.
70mm pipes from connection to the Y-split and 57mm to the rear silencers.
Exhaust backpressure dropped from stock 9.32kPa which is really low (we reached 7.5kPa from stock 30kPa with the S60R Edition), down to 2.94kPa with the new exhaust system.
It's hard to trust the measurements, but 70% less back pressure is a trustworthy figure.
I'm extremely happy with these figures and the design and I hope that this can also show some positive affect on the fuel consumption.
(It was darker than what it appears in the photo - less image quality)

Is this the first dual tailpipe Sline Exterior diffusor for 4cyl in the world?

2010-01-09:
Simons Sport exhaust did the exhaust system and they obviously liked the result, since the car ended up on their website.

2010-05-06:
Summer wheels are mounted and I had a chance to wash as well.
Just down from the jack it's still standing high, but after some hundreds meters suspension will drop 10-12mm.

Yes, it's a 2010 S4 Avant Stronic in the back!
I would like to have that engine in my car...

2010-07-04:
The latest fuel consumption has been positive even though it's now on the 255/35-19.
I can also state that sound books is beneficial for the fuel consumption!
Listening to Dan Browns latest The lost symbol have most likely lowered the fuel consumption with 0.5l/100km.

I'm getting closer and closer to buying spacers. I do believe that the rear wheels need to be 7-10mm closer to the wheel archers and front wheels need 3-5mm spacer.

I have also begun to think of my next car...

2010-07-07:
9.1l/100km, lowest level since I bought the car. I had hoped for 9l/100km but this is a happy moment.

2010-10-17:
It's been a while since I updated this page. Fuel consumption is pretty much down to 10 l/100km.
I will check if I can add 15mm spacer rear to fill the space a bit better.

I really love this car and I have never had a car that comes near the total experience, but even so I'm looking for a successor.
At this point I can only see two alternatives, BMW 335i coupe with xDrive or a S5 coupe.
The xDrive coupe can't be ordered with 19" wheels due to the LoadIndex doesn't support the extra weight of the xDrive.
I can't understand why BMW haven't found a 19" size suited for the xDrive!?
19" can be bought as accessory but that will raise the price drastically.
After seeing an ibis white RS5 with black option package I fell in love.
An ibis white S5 with black trim and 5-spoke 19" rims is what my heart wants, but the BMW 335i xDrive coupe is nearly 15% cheaper and ought to run much more fuel efficient than the S5 V8. How lovely it might be with the V8, the V6T offers way better fuel economy and it would be great if the V6T found its way into the S5 coupe as well and the straight six twin-turbo in the BMW will most likely run much cheaper the S5.
I have also had a look at Porsche Cayman S, a great car with lot more sportiness than both the Audi and the BMW, but I can't really see myself in a Porsche.

2010-11-07:
Rear spacers mounted together with my S5 8.5x18" ET29 and 245/40-18 tires.
Since I had the car with hand brake engaged during the process the height is not correct.
I also want to apologize for the crappy image quality, but this still shows how the spacer affect the position.

Stock - no spacer

3mm spacer

5mm spacer

15mm spacer together with longer bolts

I believe 15mm spacer to be the perfect setup for a car with stock A5 sport (stiffer and stock height) and Sline (stiffer and -10mm) suspension.

Thanks to Ulf at Bilmodecenter who let me borrow 3mm and 5mm spacers to try them out!

2010-11-08:
Fuel consumption 10,3l/100km.

2010-12-11:
Fuel consumption 10,9l/100km.

2010-12-18:
Fuel consumption 9,7l/100km.

2010-12-22:
After an opportunity to test drive S4 Avant Stronic, S5 V8 coupe with both manual and automatic gearbox I came to the conclusion that S5 V8 coupe with auto would be a great car for me. Now Audi has presented the RS3 and it's very interesting... Sexy 5 cylinder turbocharged 340hp/450Nm, Stronic, Haldex 4WD and a claimed 0-100km/h in 4.6s is hard to resist. The RS3 might not be as refined and nice to look at compared to the S5, but it moves like the RS5 and it's cheaper and will most likely consume less fuel than the S5 V8!
Three alternatives, Ibis white S5 V8 coupe with all black trim, Daytona grey RS3 with aluminium trim or an RS3 with all black trim package. Great cars but fuel consumption in the V8 and the fact that A3 is soon to be replaced disqualifies them both, I'm sad to conclude.

2011-05-19:
Fuel consumption 10,1l/100km.

2012-05-04:
Car has done 52500km and it passed its first Vehicle Inspection with flying colors, of course. My company is nagging me about company car and I will start looking for alternatives. At the moment the S5 or similar is just out of reach. A4 2.0T Quattro, A5 SportBack 2.0T Quattro, BMW 320d xDrive and 328i xDrive and hopefully the new A3 2.0T Quattro are the cars in the scope.