If you ask us, coupes get a bad rap. When considered in terms of cost versus units sold from the eye of a corporate accountant, the need for a lower-number and less practical two-door almost always comes into question. The more esoteric argument of passion can be made, though a bean-counting bookkeeper typically has a hard time getting his head around passion. For most enthusiasts and even the average automotive consumer, the need for a company to sell a coupe becomes a bit more understood. Inquire just what cars have people talking or are likely to create a classic and the answer is probably a coupe. Fortunately, luxury manufacturers are beginning to wake to this idea and this means svelte and swooping deuces are making a comeback.
Audi recently re-joined the fray with the voluptuous S5 – a proper sports coupe based on their new longitudinal B8 platform. With a profile befitting an Aston Martin and some of the best hardware Ingolstadt offers, the car promises to raise the allure and passion quotients at the Audi brand. However, it also faces some of the stiffest competition this particular segment has had to offer in years – specifically competition from BMW’s turbocharged 3-series and Infiniti’s improved new G37. With that in mind, we decided to take a closer look at the new Audi, alongside BMW’s 335i and the Infiniti G37, tagging along with our sister publication Motive Magazine for an in-depth hashing of this newly rekindled automotive niche.
Read Article