[Seminole]

So this new experimental S5 powered by a 230hp 4 banger (you read that right) and 880 pounds lighter than a normal S5 ran a lap around The Ring 8 whole seconds FASTER than the V8 powered S5. YIKES!

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/t...e-less-weight/

Audi is developing the groundwork for an entirely new way of building its cars. The future for the four rings is light weight, giving it the proper base to support the best hybrid and electric cars, as well as extract the most from its traditional offerings.

As previously reported, the first example from the test lab is an S5 that is 400 kg -- yes, 880 pounds -- lighter than a traditional S5. Whereas the conventional S5 uses a 354 hp V8, the experimental utilizes a 230 hp four-cylinder, yet laps the 'Ring a humongous eight seconds faster than the V8. The test, of course, is to make such technology cost feasible to consumers and safe to boot.

The reduced calorie S5 is a hybrid steel and aluminum body built over a spaceframe, but Audi didn't say what the spaceframe was composed of. One hopes that they haven't started off with something unobtanium, and that given time, VW group scale could keep the price within a single-digit percent of the current car. If Audi does manage to get the light weight, safety, and affordability equation correct, that could make them... Lotus.

[skoot3r]

Originally Posted by Seminole

So this new experimental S5 powered by a 230hp 4 banger (you read that right) and 880 pounds lighter than a normal S5 ran a lap around The Ring 8 whole seconds FASTER than the V8 powered S5. YIKES!

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/08/t...e-less-weight/

now lets hope bmw does this with all of their cars.

[c0nstant]

oh snap

[94JZA80]

LOL that S5 is lighter than an S2000.

[ejazbmw]

230hp seems weak i know its fast since its light weight, but shit if i know audi there gonna put a big price tag on it at least they could have given it 300 or something

[The__J__Factor]

Thats some awesome weight reduction.

What have they done to the S5 to drop that much weight? Is it a fully complete car?
As in does it have interior, spare wheel, air con, sound proofing or is it carbon body + stripped interior and 1 race seat?

[ArmyBimmerDude]

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

Thats some awesome weight reduction.

What have they done to the S5 to drop that much weight? Is it a fully complete car?
As in does it have interior, spare wheel, air con, sound proofing or is it carbon body + stripped interior and 1 race seat?

Read the third paragraph in the first post. Combination of the engine and an entirely different frame.

[c0nstant]

~2700 is way light. i just wish they made the reduction without removing 4 cylinders

[ZJP]

It's cool to see that Audi did this, however, giving an 'S' model less than 300bhp and a 4-banger is stupid.

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by ZJP

It's cool to see that Audi did this, however, giving an 'S' model less than 300bhp and a 4-banger is stupid.

The thing I like about the S5 is the torque from a v8... Do weight savings, but keep the v8. Take that engine away and the car just becomes pointless imho.

[c0nstant]

Originally Posted by rcracer_tx

The thing I like about the S% is the torque from a v8... Do weight savings, but keep the v8. Take that engine away and the car just becomes pointless imho.

the purpose of the S5 or any other car similar isnt to have a big, thirsty V8. its purpose is to perform well. as long as it runs, handles and looks great, then its purpose is fulfilled; it doesnt matter what the powerplant is.

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by jh valley

the purpose of the S5 or any other car similar isnt to have a big, thirsty V8. its purpose is to perform well. as long as it runs, handles and looks great, then its purpose is fulfilled; it doesnt matter what the powerplant is.

Yeah, but while a turbo 4 banger can perform well if you kick the hell out of it, you have to rev it out of it to get power... That totally ruins the fun of the car on the streets. An aluminum or magnesium block turbo 6 would have been much if they wanted to drop weight IMHO.

Torque band is very important to a lot of people, and a 4 cylinder engine simply cannot fulfill that for many people.

[ptack]

The v8 S5 was a like a beauty queen in high heels and a gown - not exactly going anywhere quickly. I think it will have to be proven by 3rd parties that a lighter, less powerful S5 will be any faster. It should feel faster, but I bet it's only barely so.

[eclivia]

i love the changes, Think EVO or STI. How much does those car weight and they are a 4 banger. This s5 is lighter and more luxury.

[Draman]

Originally Posted by eclivia

i love the changes, Think EVO or STI. How much does those car weight and they are a 4 banger. This s5 is lighter and more luxury.

I would not want the engine from an Evo or STI in any luxury car. They perform great but they are some unrefined (again, from a luxury stand point) engines. The S5 is a luxury touring car and needs an engine that fits that profile.

[amgthis]

Originally Posted by Draman

I would not want the engine from an Evo or STI in any luxury car. They perform great but they are some unrefined (again, from a luxury stand point) engines. The S5 is a luxury touring car and needs an engine that fits that profile.

At 2700 pounds, I suspect much of the luxury is gone anyways

[BlueSander]

Originally Posted by amgthis

At 2700 pounds, I suspect much of the luxury is gone anyways

yea, keep all these coming and I'm sure I'm the first to leave Audi.

[taliesen]

And 8 seconds on an 8:30 'ring lap is what, 1.5%? OK, so cool it could at least keep up, but that's not really a big performance gain at all.

[Vudoo4u2]

its the Honda NSX vs. luxury muscle argument all over again....

props to Audi for ENGINEERING something, instead of slamming an ever growing thirstier engine in an ever growing line of cars.

There used to be joy in engineering, and the excitement of driving a car with low weight and high power. Something your luxo audi s5 v8 cruiser doesnt touch. Yes I know, its a luxury car and should cruise around like one....but losing 880 lbs doesnt mean the car cant be luxo.

honda nsx...engineered in 1992...still considered a track great, and certainly a very eye catching car. All aluminum body, 290 hp v6...seemingly nothing too special under the hood on todays standards...but man is that car fast stock. And 17 years later, its still an engineering achievement. Compare it to an M3 or an S5 or an RS5, and sure maybe theyre a tick faster NOW....but consider that over 17 years they designed these cars, the NSX had a headlight change. Modern luxo sports has just gotten fatter, and more gas guzzling. Ferarri, lotus, porsche...do you notice a theme in their designs? Low weight, high power...why not do it for these cars if you can use the engineering prowess and create a strong safety cage w/less weight?

[footie]

Originally Posted by taliesen

And 8 seconds on an 8:30 'ring lap is what, 1.5%? OK, so cool it could at least keep up, but that's not really a big performance gain at all.

I think you are missing the point if you see this as no great improvement, 8 seconds is huge, it's down over 100hp and yet is lapping the ring in a class well above the normal S5. It's basically the difference between a GT2 and a 997turbo.

Oh and the rumour is that this experiment will form the basis for a RS5 lightweight which will swap the 4 cylinder 230hp unit for a high revving forced induction V6 with 400+hp.

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by footie

I think you are missing the point if you see this as no great improvement, 8 seconds is huge, it's down over 100hp and yet is lapping the ring in a class well above the normal S5. It's basically the difference between a GT2 and a 997turbo.

Oh and the rumour is that this experiment will form the basis for a RS5 lightweight which will swap the 4 cylinder 230hp unit for a high revving forced induction V6 with 400+hp.

8 seconds is nothing... a new set of tires can give you that, or a $350 tune on a n54... with 800lbs of reduction and a 4 banger powerband, they better come up with something better than that...

[footie]

Originally Posted by rcracer_tx

8 seconds is nothing... a new set of tires can give you that, or a $350 tune on a n54... with 800lbs of reduction and a 4 banger powerband, they better come up with something better than that...

You haven't a clue have you, 8 seconds when all else is equal is exceptional. We aren't talking about the difference between bald tyres and brand new ones or tuning a car, we are talking about reducing the weight AND REDUCING THE OUTPUT. A drop of over 100hp in a car like the S5 and weighing the same would increase it ring time by a minimum of 8+ seconds, so basically the difference is the weight reduction is accounting for approximately 16 seconds and truth me that is HUGE.