We first wrote about this Tesla-powered Audi S5 back in 2018 and in this video, are provided with a more in-depth look at it and the work that went into making it.
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Powering the car used to be a 4.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 but sitting where that engine once was is now the electric motor from a Tesla Model S P85D. Interestingly, whereas the P85D was produced with two electric motors, one at the front and one at the rear, this S5 only features one of them. Despite that, some ingenuity on the part of the owner means this electric motor has been mated to the factory Quattro all-wheel drive system.
One of the great things about electric cars is that much of their weight is mounted low, in particular the battery pack which is usually located in the floor. It would be impossible to slot the 85 kWh battery pack of the P85D into the floor of the S5 so it now resides in the trunk and where the rear seats would ordinarily be. Nevertheless, it’s said to handle very well.
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The owner clearly wanted to make the car look standard from the outside and with the exception of a missing tailpipe, you wouldn’t be able to pick this S5 apart from a regular one. The charging port sits under the gas cap, adding to the vehicle’s subtle looks.
The S5 is quite the performer in standard guise but the presence of an electric powertrain means this one lurches off the line at frightening speeds. We’d still rather have the sound of that lovely V8, however.