The Audi S5 Sportback four-door coupé brings a refreshed and far more angry face as it returns to a fast-expanding Ingolstadt portfolio in India.
Story: Jim Gorde
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
Memories are a funny thing. A fleeting thought occupying the mind space for a brief second can make one laugh out loud or tear up. Yet the power they hold is rather substantial. I have some history with the Audi S5 Sportback since the first time it was launched in India. Though that’s a story for another day, it still sends a little shiver down my spine.
The new Audi S5 Sportback is a facelift model and retains its creases and flowing eye-liner but now gets a more purposeful and meaner-looking daytime light strips across the top of the Matrix LED headlamp clusters. There are also a more aggressive looking lower air-dam and fog-light housings. The Singleframe grille gets a subtler aluminium matte finish but with those studs in the honeycomb, it’s far from subtle. The pronounced double-wave shoulder-line complements the bold creases on the bonnet and those, together with the sloping roof and 19-inch wheels, make for an attractive side profile. The swoopy stance culminates in a tight rear with twin tail-pipes. It was never an understated looking car and, while the first one I drove was a bright yellow and the second matte olive green, this one’s choice of shade adds to the appeal but looks far too similar to the signature shade of a certain Polestar. The wheelbase of the Sportback is 60 millimetres longer than that of the Coupé version and that hints at a more spacious interior.
The cabin is an equal dose of sporty and luxurious but what’s missing is a touch of flamboyance. The grey-themed interior with a lack of contrast could be the culprit. However, if understated is what one wants, this is ideal. There are several S-line elements: sport seats for the driver and front passenger, matte brushed aluminium inlays and the flat-bottom steering wheel with multiple functions a thumb away, and inlaid with the “S” emblem. The touchscreen adorns the centre console like a crown and while it has large and crisp display with excellent smartphone-like response and feedback, it sticks out rather blatantly. The alcantara elements add a touch of exclusivity and the horizontal dash elements, together with the evolved multimedia interface, a state-of-the-art infotainment platform, tick all the boxes on the equipment list.
The sport seats are firm and supportive in the right way and finding a comfortable driving position is easy. The view out is expansive and I get set to get out and explore its capabilities. As with most S models, the left-hand-drive layout means I have to stretch to the opposite side of the centre to access the Audi drive select modes. Thankfully, though, the start button is on the right side. The engine fires up with a growl and a slight bark as it settles into idle. Tapping the button shows the modes at my disposal are efficient, comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual. Let’s get moving.
