By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

From an engineering standpoint, the new Audi S5 Cabriolet is far 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 does not always work.

Yet, it is without a doubt one of the most endearing cars we have come across this year. Make that any year.

First, it is gorgeous. Even more gorgeous than the S4 Cabriolet it replaces and the A4 Cabrio.

The larger body accentuates the rag-top lines, especially 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 is very fast, very quiet and can be operated at speeds of up to 50kmh. So, when rain threatens, you merely need to move to the left, slow down 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 did not 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 is more generous than what you will find in most convertibles this side of a Rolls-Royce Drophead.

Space for rear passengers is not too small, either. Actually, despite 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 are pampered with features such as keyless access, memory seats, one-touch all-window control, cruise control and electronic parking brake with self-release.

The only real discomfort remains the restricted driver footwell.

Now, the drive. Despite the engineering flaws mentioned at the start, the topless S5 is strangely 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 can detect the slightest twitch of body flex, the S5 Cabriolet offers a much more intimate connection between driver, car and road - in a way 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.

christan@sph.com.sg

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