From an engineering science viewpoint, the brand-new Audi S5 Cabriolet is faraway from flawless. It has a hint of steering judder, external noises penetrate the cabin at moderate speeds and the body is not as rigid as an equivalent hard-top model.
Also, the motorised extender for the front passenger seatbelt doesn't always work.
Yet, it's without a question among the most adorable autos we have come over this year. Make that any year.
First, it's beautiful. Even more beautiful than the S4 Cabriolet it replaces and the A4 Cabrio.
The bigger body accentuates the rag-top lines, particularly in alfresco mode.
At the front, you get Audi's distinctive new face, with shapely LED-lined headlamps. The rear quarter is beautifully executed, too. When viewed from the side, there is a touch of Porsche 968, a 1990s model that aficionados recall fondly.
Audi's brushed metallic A-pillar, a stylistic cue inherited from its predecessor, still looks awesome. The car, in short, is quite a feast for the eyes.
And as far as soft-top mechanisms go, the S5 Cabriolet works like a charm. It's really quick, very quiet and can be operated at speeds of capable 50kmh. So, when rain threatens, you merely need to move to the left, decelerate and have the roof up in a jiffy.
I put it to the test on the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway. Just before entering the stuffy tunnel, I hit the button to bring the roof up. I didn't even have to slow down much because traffic leading into the underground road naturally adopts a cautious pace.
Same thing when I exited: Hit the button to welcome sunshine and fresh air. No fuss.
The other unique proposition of the Audi is its stowage. It's bigger than what you'll get in most convertibles this side of a Rolls-Royce Drophead.
Space for rear passengers isn't too small, either. Really, in spite of the imperfections mentioned, the car scores quite high for comfort.
It rides exceedingly well for a convertible, the air-conditioning is efficient even when the canopy is folded away and you're spoiled with features such as keyless access, memory seats, one-touch all-window control, cruise control and electronic parking brake with self-release.
The only actual discomfort remains the restricted driver footwell.
Now, the drive. Despite the engineering flaws mentioned at first, the topless S5 is queerly engaging from the word go, chiefly due to the 3-litre supercharged engine - the same powerful heart last sampled in the Audi S4. Mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox with paddle shift, it dishes out punchy delivery, seamless shifts and a melodious note. Truly addictive.
But the feeling at the wheel is somehow different in the convertible. Because the steering transmits road imperfections and wrenching engine torque to your palms, because the fabric canopy is not as soundproof as a hard top and because you are able to detect the slightest twitch of body flex, the S5 Cabriolet offers a much closer connection between driver, car and road - in a sense no fixed-roof carriage will permit today.
Hence the engineering shortcomings of the Audi soft-top could well have become its special attributes, quite a welcome change from the sterility you find occasionally in perfectly engineered cars.
Together with its enormous output, the car will rekindle the love of driving in even the most jaded driver.
Also, the motorised extender for the front passenger seatbelt doesn't always work.
Yet, it's without a question among the most adorable autos we have come over this year. Make that any year.
First, it's beautiful. Even more beautiful than the S4 Cabriolet it replaces and the A4 Cabrio.
The bigger body accentuates the rag-top lines, particularly in alfresco mode.
At the front, you get Audi's distinctive new face, with shapely LED-lined headlamps. The rear quarter is beautifully executed, too. When viewed from the side, there is a touch of Porsche 968, a 1990s model that aficionados recall fondly.
Audi's brushed metallic A-pillar, a stylistic cue inherited from its predecessor, still looks awesome. The car, in short, is quite a feast for the eyes.
And as far as soft-top mechanisms go, the S5 Cabriolet works like a charm. It's really quick, very quiet and can be operated at speeds of capable 50kmh. So, when rain threatens, you merely need to move to the left, decelerate and have the roof up in a jiffy.
I put it to the test on the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway. Just before entering the stuffy tunnel, I hit the button to bring the roof up. I didn't even have to slow down much because traffic leading into the underground road naturally adopts a cautious pace.
Same thing when I exited: Hit the button to welcome sunshine and fresh air. No fuss.
The other unique proposition of the Audi is its stowage. It's bigger than what you'll get in most convertibles this side of a Rolls-Royce Drophead.
Space for rear passengers isn't too small, either. Really, in spite of the imperfections mentioned, the car scores quite high for comfort.
It rides exceedingly well for a convertible, the air-conditioning is efficient even when the canopy is folded away and you're spoiled with features such as keyless access, memory seats, one-touch all-window control, cruise control and electronic parking brake with self-release.
The only actual discomfort remains the restricted driver footwell.
Now, the drive. Despite the engineering flaws mentioned at first, the topless S5 is queerly engaging from the word go, chiefly due to the 3-litre supercharged engine - the same powerful heart last sampled in the Audi S4. Mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox with paddle shift, it dishes out punchy delivery, seamless shifts and a melodious note. Truly addictive.
But the feeling at the wheel is somehow different in the convertible. Because the steering transmits road imperfections and wrenching engine torque to your palms, because the fabric canopy is not as soundproof as a hard top and because you are able to detect the slightest twitch of body flex, the S5 Cabriolet offers a much closer connection between driver, car and road - in a sense no fixed-roof carriage will permit today.
Hence the engineering shortcomings of the Audi soft-top could well have become its special attributes, quite a welcome change from the sterility you find occasionally in perfectly engineered cars.
Together with its enormous output, the car will rekindle the love of driving in even the most jaded driver.
No comments:
Post a Comment