http://www.fourtitude.com/news/publish/Audi_News/article_5495.shtml
Audi S5 with 4.2 V8 Will Continue For Now
It was a bit of a surprise when Audi followed up the introduction of its 4.2-powered S5 with a migration to a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 as standard propulsion for the chassis-sharing S4 sedan. Moving to smaller displacement and forced induction was applauded by both green-minded consumers looking for higher efficiency and S4 enthusiasts romantic for the highly tunable B5 S4 of yore. A 3.0T S5 Cabriolet followed alongside the S4 for 2010 and it was expected that the V8 in the coupe would be replaced with the 3.0T for 2011 though we now know otherwise.
Well-placed sources had hinted to Fourtitude and other publications that the V8 might remain in the near term and this very question was the subject of discussion in Ingolstadt and Audi of America’s Herndon, VA headquarters this year. According to more recent discussions with sources, a decision has been made and the V8 will continue on in the coupe until the car receives its mid-cycle facelift likely no sooner than the 2012 model year.
This website has been touting the merits of the 2010 Audi S5 as of late. Efficiency and affordable tenability are great for the higher volume S4, but the S5 has always impressed us as a well-balanced GT, exuding more luxury and style a step above the BMW 3 series and in some ways more in line with the higher-priced BMW 6 series. In as much, the V8 with all that torque and melodic note simply suits the car better - CAFE standards and fuel prices be damned. Add in new-for-2010 kit like Audi’s Sport Differential and 3G MMI and you have a best of the breed. Under the belief the 4.2’s departure was imminent, we recently likened the 2010 S5 configuration to a fine vintage of wine that should be savored. Fortunately those of like mind when it comes to the S5 coupe will enjoy even more availability.
As mentioned, the A5 and S5 product range will receive a mid-cycle upgrade that may result in the adoption of ‘B9’ chassis designation as a similar evolution did with the B7 back in 2005. Likely the car will receive styling in line with Audi’s latest language most recently expressed with the new A8. At that time we’re told, the change to the 3.0T will be made. At this time we’re not aware of any plan to update the S5 V8 with the latest Valvelift equipped 372 hp / 328 lb-ft 4.2 V8 revealed in the new A8 last week (up 18 hp and 3 lb-ft from the current S5 4.2). As much as we’d like to see the latter carry on in the coupe to help further differentiate market position between S4 and S5, a continued V8 version beyond the facelift would likely compete too much with the planned RS 5 and its 450 hp 4.2 V8 that will first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring.
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Dedi
La vita è troppo corta per non guidare italiano.....
), I have decided not to wait for this car, and order an S5. Having now driven one twice, I will be quite happy with its power and refinement; it is a very classic GT car with excellent winter and poor conditions ability, and of course styling that will not likely date very quickly. Speccing an S5 is about as simple as a performance car can be (only 3-4 options!). I have gone for a fully specced one:
Will post pics... in 4 months! 
or not... 
Why?
). It will be intrduced this year.
Finally, the $30,000 saved can be used to help convince my wife to finally order a Cayman with all the right options... 
coming later...
I love the new efficient turbos, but they do lack that muscle experience... 
