Sneak Preview of Audi S5 in Singapore! (Photos)

Well, that, and a celebration party for the fact that Audi’s annual sales around the world have been increasing steadily for the last 11 years. From a humble 492,000 cars in 1996 to 905,000 in 2006, the German automobile company looks set to continue breaking sales records.

OneShift Editorial Team

30 Jul 2007

Year 2007 has already been bright for them, with over half a million cars being sold in the first half of the year, an increase of 9.8% from 2006.

“In Singapore, sales more than doubled over the same period last year and Audi remains the fastest growing luxury brand. We intend to keep this momentum. With the shift in business structure, Audi customers can expect greater involvement with the brand in after-sales service and improved support in sales and marketing initiatives,” said Reinhold Carl, Managing Director, Audi Singapore.

Audi also sees Singapore as an essential bridge between the India and China markets, and have chosen to make it an Audi National Sales Company, where with effect from 1st October 2007, Audi will be taking over the importer function. However, Premium Automobiles will still remain the official dealer here.

So with all the attention coming up on our little island, what better way is there to celebrate it than with a big party?

[B]Rolling in with a bang[/B]

Audi held parties on two consecutive nights for owners and potential customers alike at the uber-chic club, One Degree Fifteen.

Guests were treated to a fashion parade, which also saw the likes of the Audi S3, TT Roadster 3.2, an S8, as well as an exclusively flown-in brand new Audi S5 strutting the stage and showing off their stuff.

And of course, having seen the new S5 in flesh up close, we can say it is every bit as gorgeous as it looks in the pictures, if not, better.

[b]Pictured here with the beautiful Sharon Tng from Premium Automobile's Marketing sector[/b]
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Having a 4.2 litre FSI V8 engine, the S5 will put out 354 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque, giving it a zero-to-hundred dash time of 5.1 seconds. The Quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system is also available as standard, splitting the torque 40-60 between the front and the rear.

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-2007073105614806.jpg[/IMG]

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Despite the excitement and anticipation though, the superstar/car Audi R8, expected to arrive in the fourth quarter this year, was unfortunately not present that night. However, [URL=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/first_official_picture.php?sid=892&page=1]we found something [/URL]which might cheer up those of you who did not get a chance to put your money down for an R8.

[B]Audi being a Powerhouse?[/B]

Being the fastest-growing premium brand in the world, Audi has set its sight on being the world’s most successful premium brand by 2015, targeting a figure of 1.5 million cars sold by that year.

It also aims to be recognised as a market leader in customer satisfaction, becoming the number one prestige brand, improve its profitability and be an employer-of-choice.

The impressive figures do not lie and Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management at Audi thinks so as well.

“We want to be the world’s leading premium manufacturer by 2015!” said Winterkorn.