Three cars came one vote short of unanimous in our balloting, and the Audi 5000S and/or Turbo was one of those three. The Turbo version has been criticized because it costs an extra 5770 and offers only a marginal increase in raw performance numbers, yet the Turbo is so silky, so turbinelike in the way it delivers the power to the pavement, that it still comes up a winner—and marginal or not, there is an increase in perfor mance. “Feel” is difficult to quantify, yet the Turbo has it all over the standard 5000S where feel is concerned. Both the 5000S and the Turbo feature superior aerodynamics, and both cars offer superior interior accommodations. Tall drivers may find the front seats too short under the upper legs, but this is virtually the only complaint we can register regarding creature comfort. The Audi offërs the smoothness and isolation of a Cadillac combined with truly worthwhile over-the- road performance. Really vigorous driving is possible without raising one’s voice to be heard in the rear seat. It is a uniquely sophisticated car, and right now, the big Audi is about as close as you can get to the car of the future. Truly one of the very best, and very reasonably priced.
Specifications:
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE: $16,480
ENGINE TYPE: naturally aspirated or turbocharged 5-in-line, iron block and aluminum head, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection
Displacement: 131 cu in, 2144cc
Power (SAE net): 100-140 bhp
TRANSMISSION(S): 5-speed, 3-speed auto
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 105.8 in Length: 192.7 in
Curb weight: 2850-3100 lbs
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city driving: 19-22 mpg
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