2011 Audi S5

The Audi S5 is sublime. It looks beautiful. It's fun to drive. It's comfortable. Most of all, the engine is utterly brilliant. The 4.2-liter V8 engine in the S5 has been used in many other Audis before, including the supercool Audi R8, but the S5 may be the best application of this marvel yet. The engine's smooth acceleration, glorious sound and impressive power are a perfect match for this sophisticated Audi 4-passenger coupe. The S5 is no race car, however. It's an executive coupe that excels in the role of luxury grand tourer. It has plenty of performance, but it isn't so focused that it becomes unpleasant for daily driving. It's just really, really good. And the engine is so good that just thinking about it keeps me awake at night. – Paul Hagger

The Audi A5 coupe is already one of the most beautiful designs on the road. Its sibling, the high-performance S5, with its subtle changes to the front fascia and 19-inch split-spoke wheels, has a more aggressive edge. That promise is backed up by Audi's high-revving 4.2-liter direct-injection V8 engine, which delivers 354 horsepower and is combined with a 6-speed manual and quattro all-wheel-drive to put that power to the ground. The S5 is quick, nimble and smooth; the engine pulls strong to 7000 rpm and the transmission is precise and easy to shift. The sports suspension delivers control with a nice overall balance, and the quattro system is biased to the rear for more of a rear-wheel-drive feel. Our test car was finished in Phantom Black Pearl Effect paint with Tuscan Brown interior, a classic European combination that adds to the elegance. The $60,000 price tag is steep, but this is one of those cars that I would really enjoy driving every day. – Mike Meredith

I've always wondered why I'd want a coupe version of a car if the 4-door sedan offers the same performance as the 2-door. The answer to this question is the Audi S5 coupe. Audi powers the S4 sedan with a supercharged V6 engine, but with the S5 you get a fantastic, throaty V8. With 354 horses on tap, Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system, and big, sticky tires, the S5 takes off from a standstill as if shot from a cannon. And it can easily handle full throttle coming out of a turn, making the S5 an absolute blast to drive. As expected, the rear seat is pretty useless and the best fuel economy I saw was 15 mpg on the highway. But the S5 is absolutely beautiful, especially in black, and the enjoyment behind the wheel can easily wash away worries about these negatives. Ultimately, I guess I'm willing to sacrifice the comfort of my rear-seat passengers for the power and sound of a V8. – Perry Stern