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Audi S5 ...1

To say that I am a fan of Audi is to underplay my rekindled devotion to the brand. I know they get a lot of stick for what is perceived as slightly boring styling, but I am a fan of the look. It might scream accountant to some, but to me it is a blend of understated style with superb driving dynamics.

That said, I have had the pleasure recently of being offered all their new cars for tests. Only being able to drive one at a time, I decided that the new powerplant in the Q7 didn’t need my time as I had reviewed a diesel version in an earlier column. It was the S5 I wanted to get my hands on.

First impressions are often lasting ones, and from the first glance at the S5 in the parking lot and I was hooked. Sensuous curves in all the right places, that imposing wide mouthed grill ready to eat all that cross its path, suitably low slung and sporty. It really is a sexy, stylish looking ride. Clearly no accountant was in the mind’s eye when this one was penned. …/2

Audi S5 ...2

Sitting in the driver’s seat you are suitably hugged by the form following seats. Having driven the RS4 and having hated it, I was pleasantly surprised by the S5’s comfort levels. I am a broad shouldered man, and found the RS4 seats far too narrow. Yes, the RS4 performed admirably and had presence on the road, yes, it was fun flooring it and the handling on the bendy bits was mind bogglingly great. It was just that the Recaro race seats forced me into a hunched seating position that wore on me after a few minutes of driving. No such worry from this baby. And while the S is a detuned version of the RS powerplant, it is suitably quick, responsive and more than enough for its position in the model mix. And the looks just kept me enthralled. It is a truly beautiful car to look at in motion and at rest. …/3

Audi S5 ...3

It is an easy vehicle to spend time in, and all I wanted to do was go on long, winding road trips with the music pumping and not a care in the world. I wanted to move to Europe and spend weeks exploring mountain passes in different countries so that I could hear superlatives of praise heaped upon this car in as many languages as I possibly could. I wanted to sit in Italian and French pavement cafes, sip on a coffee and gaze at the perfect form of the S5.

The only downside was when I tried to shoehorn my infant son and his car seat into the back. Being a coupe there wasn’t much room to get the seat in, and the angle of the seating position was less than ideal. So much so that I was forced to abandon the proposed trip as the incessant, uncomfortable screaming emanating from the back seat was intolerable. …/4

Audi S5 ...4

So, the verdict is a definite buy. But only if you don’t have a baby that you expect to cart around. As a buy purely for dad’s enjoyment, and if the kids are no longer in a safety seat, this is extremely good value for money. It definitely has a place in my dream garage.