Audi S5 Coupe 3.0 TFSI qu S tronic Review: S good S it gets

What we like:

No noticeable loss in performance over the old 4.2 model

superb ride

improved steering

stylish looks inside and out

improved fuel consumption numbers

What we dislike:

Doesn’t sound as muscular as the old V8

Inside, the S5 offers an unparalleled ambience among cars in its class. The interior just oozes class and quality that is as good as it can be for a mass produced model. The S5 offers a highly supportive drivers’ bucket seat that is electrically adjustable as well as bespoke gauges with a speedo that reads to an optimistic 300km/h.

Like the S4, the facelifted model features Audi’s improved MMI system with new menu interface, a new ‘skip’ function incorporated on the volume knob, a new hot key for the Drive Select instead of the two buttons that was needed to operate the system in the old car. Other new bits include a revised steering wheel design, new trim materials and a new gear knob.

Unlike the TT, this is a true four-seater coupe so there’s more than enough head and legroom for two full sized adults to full comfortable in for a long journey. The boot is also well sized for overnight bags and the obligatory golf set. Equipment levels are exceptionally high – a standard S5 comes with sat nav, bi-Xenon headlamps, 19-inch alloys, leather upholstery, keyless operation, electric sunroof and so on.

The S5’s package is one that is very hard to fault. If there’s one fault we have to nitpick on then it’s the two less cylinders that makes the V6 doesn’t sound as muscular and rumbly as the old car’s V8. But still, the V6 sounds angry enough on its own and together with the new S-Tronic gearbox not only endow the S5 with improved straightline speed but also more fuel saving than ever before. The new S5’s package is topped off by its refreshed new looks. BMW’s new two-door 3 Series needs to be exceptional to upstage the improved S5.

Credits: Story by Raymond Lai Photos by Yang and Raymond Lai