The 2009 Audi S5 is the performance version of the Audi A5. Introduced in the 2008 model year with minor but important changes for 2009 (especially in the looks) its competitors are the Chevrolet Corvette, Jaguar XK, BMW 6-Series and Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class. Although the S5 can get from zero to sixty in less than five seconds, it's hard to say just how fast it really is. The S5 is electronically limited to 155 miles per hour. So all you can actually say is that it's really, really fast.

How did it get so fast?

The S5 has a 354 horsepower 4.2 liter V8 engine matched with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, either with overdrive. There are no current mileage figures, but last year's model had the same engine-transmission combination. For that model, the fuel efficiency numbers were sixteen miles per gallon city and twenty-two miles per gallon highway with the automatic transmission or fourteen and twenty-one with the manual transmission. Those numbers are a little higher than class average, and about the only knock on the S5.

The S5 bills itself as a coupe, but as you might expect given that it is almost a trim of the A5, there is only one trim level on the S5. Very, very nice. Standard features include automatic headlights, alloy wheels, power everything, heated outside mirror, leather covered tilt/telescoping steering wheel with mounted controls, CD changer, premium sound system, heated power front seats with power lumbar support and a sunroof. Not enough? For just a smidge more you can get interior wood trim and a navigation system.

The S5 hasn't been tested by NHTSA but it does have the full array of safety equipment including tire pressure monitor, antilock disc brakes, two-stage adaptive front airbags, airbags all around, LATCH system for children, electronic stability with anti-slip regulation, side impact protection with sensors and a first aid kit.

Superficial as it is, maybe the very best thing about the S5 is its looks. Every car looks great to somebody, of course. But the S5 has a look that combines the best of both modern and classic in a way that makes it a piece of art, worth something just sitting in your driveway on display.

Surprisingly for what it is, the S5 is something of an affordable piece of art. The $51,400 base price is up less than a grand from the 2008 model. It's not the new model T ("a car in every garage"). But if you're in the market for something fast and gorgeous, you'll find the 2009 Audi S5 very hard to beat in either category.