Audi S5 Sportback 3.0 TFSI qu Tiptronic Review
The Business

Just about a decade back, I had the chance to experience the first generation S5, which was powered by a ‘milder’ 4.2 litre V8, which was also found in the previous R8. The car made all the right noises from its roaring NA soundtrack. Due to a mix of pressure from green groups and basically the European Union and the like, the second generation S5 lost two cylinders, but benefitted from supercharged force-feeding, and delivering a healthy 333hp.

In its third generation, the S5 ditches the supercharger, and gets a turbo delivering 354hp, and 500Nm of torque, 60Nm of twist more than the previous car.

Styling-wise, the departure from the previous car is quite minimal, and anyone unfamiliar with the A5 range might not even notice them.

We do like how Audi had incorporated the hood closure (clamshell style) together with the characteristic wave-pattern shoulder line, there are tiny bits of trim which distinguishes the S5 from its milder A5 sibling. Black-accented side sills, a very tiny wing in the rear for very tiny added downforce we suppose, a set of quad pipes versus the twin-piped A5, because the last we counted, four are better than two, and with brakes “decorated” with red callipers, providing stopping power to our test car’s 255/35 R19 tyres.

We love how the sleek styling, despite its sporty lean is never loud, which lets you “fly under the radar”. There is even a slight hint of a Porsche Panamera, especially around the hind quarters. In my lens, the Sportback body is the most important model within Audi’s Fiver range, as it is the most practical, and offers that all-important alternative for those who have steered themselves away from the ‘boring’ three-box sedan.