Audi refines S5 Cabriolet styling, massively updates electronics

For the 2018 model year, Audi launches a whole new generation for its A5 and S5 models, the latter being the performance-oriented version of the A5. The line-up gets refined styling from Audi's current design book, and a big upgrade in electronics.

The S5 Cabriolet, shown here, seats four and has a power-operated cloth top.

At 4,211 pounds, the S5 Cabriolet is the heaviest of the A5/S5 line-up, but it still feels very light and agile.

The hallmark of Audi's new styling shows up in the grille, which pushes outwards, giving it more dimension than the previous iteration.

LED headlights come standard on the S5 Cabriolet.

The S5 Cabriolet comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine making 354 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

The S5 Cabriolet comes with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and can be optioned up with adaptive suspension and a torque vectoring rear differential, which throws torque to the outside rear wheel in a turn, aiding handling.

If you're not interested in open air driving, you can also get the S5 in coupe format for about $8,000 less than the Cabriolet.

One of the S5 Cabriolet's biggest improvements is the Virtual Cockpit, which puts a screen in place of the instrument cluster to show navigation and other functions.

The S5 Cabriolet is an extraordinarily good car, comfortable for a variety of driving tasks, from the everyday commute to a weekend spin in the country.