Audi S5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI quattro S-tronic (A) Review
04 Jul 2012|19,574 views
Cabriolets are cars that are bestowed with the special ability to shed their top when mood and clear skies converge. While Singapore is not exactly the best place for drop-top motoring, the pure allure of it is just too enticing, not to mention attention grabbing.
So be it for the exposure to the elements, or for a boost of egoism, the S5 Cabriolet seems to fit many bills - that is if footing them is never a wringer too tight on your finances.
The refreshed S5 takes on subtle exterior changes, with majority of the works in the underpinnings, all in the name of efficiency. We sample an eye-catching example to find out if it does more than the usual cabriolet.
Exterior
The facelifted S5 drop-top retains much of the clean, pure cabriolet design found on its well-received predecessor. However, tipping towards the other end of the debate, it may seem that the people at Audi have undertaken the strenuous task of changing everything but nothing at all. Take for instance, the close resemblance between the different A4 and A5 variants.
So be it for the exposure to the elements, or for a boost of egoism, the S5 Cabriolet seems to fit many bills - that is if footing them is never a wringer too tight on your finances.
The refreshed S5 takes on subtle exterior changes, with majority of the works in the underpinnings, all in the name of efficiency. We sample an eye-catching example to find out if it does more than the usual cabriolet.
Exterior
The facelifted S5 drop-top retains much of the clean, pure cabriolet design found on its well-received predecessor. However, tipping towards the other end of the debate, it may seem that the people at Audi have undertaken the strenuous task of changing everything but nothing at all. Take for instance, the close resemblance between the different A4 and A5 variants.
 |
The most distinct aesthetic change has got to be the daytime-running LED - now in the form of a singular stripe taking on a more dimensional wedge shape. While other carmakers are busy incorporating the cult into their latest offering, there is little denying that Audi still makes one of the best-looking LEDs.
No denying the Ingolstadt marque is still the best in business for daytime-running LEDs.  |
Interior
Familiarity strikes hard in the S5, especially if you have previously been acquainted with the marque's offering. Head into the cabriolet, and it is not hard to spot the inheritance from the parts bin - steering wheel, sports seats just to name a few.
That said, the interior is by no means shabbily built, or anything less of what you would expect from Audi. Buttons still feel good, despite being a tad over-clustered in the central panel. Like its stablemates, climate control switches are not the most straight forward to work. Otherwise, it is hard to fault the ergonomics.
Sports seats and red stitching are part of the go-fast package
Familiarity strikes hard in the S5, especially if you have previously been acquainted with the marque's offering. Head into the cabriolet, and it is not hard to spot the inheritance from the parts bin - steering wheel, sports seats just to name a few.
That said, the interior is by no means shabbily built, or anything less of what you would expect from Audi. Buttons still feel good, despite being a tad over-clustered in the central panel. Like its stablemates, climate control switches are not the most straight forward to work. Otherwise, it is hard to fault the ergonomics.
 |  |
For a two-door cabriolet, the S5 packs useful leg rooms at the rear - not that it will not beat any four doors at their games, as the more vertically-inclined individuals will still struggle to get comfy at the back. Though the S5 comes with a protruding rump, the boot space is hampered by the lack of height, which takes away a wee-bit of functionality.
Rear quarters pack adequate leg-room; boot has depth but lacks height
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The Drive
Entrance into the cabriolet is first met with the weighted doors, closing with aplomb - a tell-tale of its build quality. While many of the improvements on the facelift model are hidden well beneath the hood, some others are more conspicuous, such as the self-actuated seat belt feeds which take away the hassle of 'sit and reach'.
Automatic seat-belt feeds are part of the latest niceties package for the cabriolet
Like many other drop-tops, the wind in the hair amplifies the sense of velocity - in other words, the magnitude of fun. Roof down, subtle burbles from the quad pipes are your constant companion, as well as the intoxicating exhaust blow-offs. Those however, are as much as drama goes in the S5. With all four wheels tasked to despatch the horse to the tarmac, the car grips tightly, even if you should flex your right foot halfway through the curve.
Bearing the blood-red emblem, the S5 packs a load of grunt - 333bhp of them. What is more notable is the relative less effort needed to drive fast, not to mention the ease of getting to speeds.
Tweaks in the springs put the S5 firmer on the grounds, resulting in lesser body-roll, but adds harshness to the ride quality.
Entrance into the cabriolet is first met with the weighted doors, closing with aplomb - a tell-tale of its build quality. While many of the improvements on the facelift model are hidden well beneath the hood, some others are more conspicuous, such as the self-actuated seat belt feeds which take away the hassle of 'sit and reach'.
Automatic seat-belt feeds are part of the latest niceties package for the cabrioletLike many other drop-tops, the wind in the hair amplifies the sense of velocity - in other words, the magnitude of fun. Roof down, subtle burbles from the quad pipes are your constant companion, as well as the intoxicating exhaust blow-offs. Those however, are as much as drama goes in the S5. With all four wheels tasked to despatch the horse to the tarmac, the car grips tightly, even if you should flex your right foot halfway through the curve.
Bearing the blood-red emblem, the S5 packs a load of grunt - 333bhp of them. What is more notable is the relative less effort needed to drive fast, not to mention the ease of getting to speeds.
Tweaks in the springs put the S5 firmer on the grounds, resulting in lesser body-roll, but adds harshness to the ride quality.
Like many other offerings in the lineup, the S5 cabriolet feels over-assisted at the helm, most obvious when settings are left in comfort mode. While the Dynamic setting will add weight to the steering, there is still the slight numbness at triple-digit speeds.
Conclusion
With the current hype on individualisation, Audi has offered a long list of optional extras, which in unison will radically alter the experience of the S5, or any other Audis in fact. Finding black interiors overly-inert? There is a wide range of interior trims to choose from, not to mention the exterior paint finishes, and even the colour of the fabric top.
Despite retaining most of its styling cues from its predecessor, there should be no doubt in the S5's ability to turn heads, especially when you get the colours right. Our white with red-top test car for instance, is naturally an attention magnet.
While it brings aesthetical pleasure (which comes along with looks of envy) to the surrounds, the effortless driving and top-notch build quality will also bring a smile to the owners.
We call it access to the skies.
Conclusion
With the current hype on individualisation, Audi has offered a long list of optional extras, which in unison will radically alter the experience of the S5, or any other Audis in fact. Finding black interiors overly-inert? There is a wide range of interior trims to choose from, not to mention the exterior paint finishes, and even the colour of the fabric top.
Despite retaining most of its styling cues from its predecessor, there should be no doubt in the S5's ability to turn heads, especially when you get the colours right. Our white with red-top test car for instance, is naturally an attention magnet.
While it brings aesthetical pleasure (which comes along with looks of envy) to the surrounds, the effortless driving and top-notch build quality will also bring a smile to the owners.
We call it access to the skies.
Cabriolets are cars that are bestowed with the special ability to shed their top when mood and clear skies converge. While Singapore is not exactly the best place for drop-top motoring, the pure allure of it is just too enticing, not to mention attention grabbing.
So be it for the exposure to the elements, or for a boost of egoism, the S5 Cabriolet seems to fit many bills - that is if footing them is never a wringer too tight on your finances.
The refreshed S5 takes on subtle exterior changes, with majority of the works in the underpinnings, all in the name of efficiency. We sample an eye-catching example to find out if it does more than the usual cabriolet.
Exterior
The facelifted S5 drop-top retains much of the clean, pure cabriolet design found on its well-received predecessor. However, tipping towards the other end of the debate, it may seem that the people at Audi have undertaken the strenuous task of changing everything but nothing at all. Take for instance, the close resemblance between the different A4 and A5 variants.
So be it for the exposure to the elements, or for a boost of egoism, the S5 Cabriolet seems to fit many bills - that is if footing them is never a wringer too tight on your finances.
The refreshed S5 takes on subtle exterior changes, with majority of the works in the underpinnings, all in the name of efficiency. We sample an eye-catching example to find out if it does more than the usual cabriolet.
Exterior
The facelifted S5 drop-top retains much of the clean, pure cabriolet design found on its well-received predecessor. However, tipping towards the other end of the debate, it may seem that the people at Audi have undertaken the strenuous task of changing everything but nothing at all. Take for instance, the close resemblance between the different A4 and A5 variants.
|
The most distinct aesthetic change has got to be the daytime-running LED - now in the form of a singular stripe taking on a more dimensional wedge shape. While other carmakers are busy incorporating the cult into their latest offering, there is little denying that Audi still makes one of the best-looking LEDs.
No denying the Ingolstadt marque is still the best in business for daytime-running LEDs. |
Interior
Familiarity strikes hard in the S5, especially if you have previously been acquainted with the marque's offering. Head into the cabriolet, and it is not hard to spot the inheritance from the parts bin - steering wheel, sports seats just to name a few.
That said, the interior is by no means shabbily built, or anything less of what you would expect from Audi. Buttons still feel good, despite being a tad over-clustered in the central panel. Like its stablemates, climate control switches are not the most straight forward to work. Otherwise, it is hard to fault the ergonomics.
Sports seats and red stitching are part of the go-fast package
Familiarity strikes hard in the S5, especially if you have previously been acquainted with the marque's offering. Head into the cabriolet, and it is not hard to spot the inheritance from the parts bin - steering wheel, sports seats just to name a few.
That said, the interior is by no means shabbily built, or anything less of what you would expect from Audi. Buttons still feel good, despite being a tad over-clustered in the central panel. Like its stablemates, climate control switches are not the most straight forward to work. Otherwise, it is hard to fault the ergonomics.
| |
For a two-door cabriolet, the S5 packs useful leg rooms at the rear - not that it will not beat any four doors at their games, as the more vertically-inclined individuals will still struggle to get comfy at the back. Though the S5 comes with a protruding rump, the boot space is hampered by the lack of height, which takes away a wee-bit of functionality.
Rear quarters pack adequate leg-room; boot has depth but lacks height
| |
|
The Drive
Entrance into the cabriolet is first met with the weighted doors, closing with aplomb - a tell-tale of its build quality. While many of the improvements on the facelift model are hidden well beneath the hood, some others are more conspicuous, such as the self-actuated seat belt feeds which take away the hassle of 'sit and reach'.
Automatic seat-belt feeds are part of the latest niceties package for the cabriolet
Like many other drop-tops, the wind in the hair amplifies the sense of velocity - in other words, the magnitude of fun. Roof down, subtle burbles from the quad pipes are your constant companion, as well as the intoxicating exhaust blow-offs. Those however, are as much as drama goes in the S5. With all four wheels tasked to despatch the horse to the tarmac, the car grips tightly, even if you should flex your right foot halfway through the curve.
Bearing the blood-red emblem, the S5 packs a load of grunt - 333bhp of them. What is more notable is the relative less effort needed to drive fast, not to mention the ease of getting to speeds.
Tweaks in the springs put the S5 firmer on the grounds, resulting in lesser body-roll, but adds harshness to the ride quality.
Entrance into the cabriolet is first met with the weighted doors, closing with aplomb - a tell-tale of its build quality. While many of the improvements on the facelift model are hidden well beneath the hood, some others are more conspicuous, such as the self-actuated seat belt feeds which take away the hassle of 'sit and reach'.
Automatic seat-belt feeds are part of the latest niceties package for the cabrioletLike many other drop-tops, the wind in the hair amplifies the sense of velocity - in other words, the magnitude of fun. Roof down, subtle burbles from the quad pipes are your constant companion, as well as the intoxicating exhaust blow-offs. Those however, are as much as drama goes in the S5. With all four wheels tasked to despatch the horse to the tarmac, the car grips tightly, even if you should flex your right foot halfway through the curve.
Bearing the blood-red emblem, the S5 packs a load of grunt - 333bhp of them. What is more notable is the relative less effort needed to drive fast, not to mention the ease of getting to speeds.
Tweaks in the springs put the S5 firmer on the grounds, resulting in lesser body-roll, but adds harshness to the ride quality.
Like many other offerings in the lineup, the S5 cabriolet feels over-assisted at the helm, most obvious when settings are left in comfort mode. While the Dynamic setting will add weight to the steering, there is still the slight numbness at triple-digit speeds.
Conclusion
With the current hype on individualisation, Audi has offered a long list of optional extras, which in unison will radically alter the experience of the S5, or any other Audis in fact. Finding black interiors overly-inert? There is a wide range of interior trims to choose from, not to mention the exterior paint finishes, and even the colour of the fabric top.
Despite retaining most of its styling cues from its predecessor, there should be no doubt in the S5's ability to turn heads, especially when you get the colours right. Our white with red-top test car for instance, is naturally an attention magnet.
While it brings aesthetical pleasure (which comes along with looks of envy) to the surrounds, the effortless driving and top-notch build quality will also bring a smile to the owners.
We call it access to the skies.
Conclusion
With the current hype on individualisation, Audi has offered a long list of optional extras, which in unison will radically alter the experience of the S5, or any other Audis in fact. Finding black interiors overly-inert? There is a wide range of interior trims to choose from, not to mention the exterior paint finishes, and even the colour of the fabric top.
Despite retaining most of its styling cues from its predecessor, there should be no doubt in the S5's ability to turn heads, especially when you get the colours right. Our white with red-top test car for instance, is naturally an attention magnet.
While it brings aesthetical pleasure (which comes along with looks of envy) to the surrounds, the effortless driving and top-notch build quality will also bring a smile to the owners.
We call it access to the skies.
Photos by Nicholas Low
Car Information
Audi S5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI qu S tronic (A)
CAT B|Petrol|11.8km/L
Horsepower
248kW (333 bhp)
Torque
440 Nm
Acceleration
5.4sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Audi S5 Cabriolet
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