When it comes to performance drop-tops, few come as sorted as the beautiful new Audi S5 Cabriolet, writes The Wheel Deal.

For as long as I can remember, droptop versions of performance models have always been treated with disdain by true motoring enthusiasts. And rightly so because back in the days before us humans had invented clever things like keyhole surgery and social networking, we just didn’t have the technology to successfully lop a car’s head off without screwing with the rest of its body. In fact this operation would often just create something that wobbled and flexed and fussed its way through every corner – a machine void of the qualities that made its coupé sister so good to drive in the first place. Fortunately things have evolved since then and the latest batch of hair-ruffling hotshots actually seem to be silencing the fiercest critics with a level of go that finally matches all that boulevard show. And one of the cars that has aced this formula with the most success is Audi’s racy S5 Cabriolet.

Indeed, climb inside its beautiful Walter da Silva-penned form blast towards the horizon line, and you’ll immediately notice that the S5 feels like it has a tin top resting upon its shoulders. And this is because Audi’s engineers have spent eons fettling its chassis with all manner of torsional tweaks to ensure that it does that S badge justice. Quite frankly I don’t know how these Germans have managed it but when you steer the S5’s nose down a loop of bitumen spaghetti, it responds with a keenness that never ceases to amaze. There might be a little flex, particularly over rougher surfaces, but on the whole the S5 Cabriolet displays the same road manners as the V8 coupé.

This means masses of grip, plenty of feedback – despite that slightly artificial steering – and the sort of failsafe handling that massages your driving ego and makes you feel like you really could quit your day job and pursue that career in motor racing. What’s more, responding to criticisms that their Quattro all-wheel drive system was a little dull when compared to the rear wheel-drive setup favoured by rival manufacturers, Audi have equipped the S5 with their new active sports differential. Designed to quell understeer, this piece of electro trickery really does make driving on the limit considerably more enjoyable and – with the traction control neutered of course – allows you to actually shake the S5’s tail loose through more tighter sections of tarmac. Obviously it’s no BMW M3 in this department but there’s still just enough rearward shift to entertain your inner driving purist.

Impressive through the curves, Audi’s S5 Cabriolet kicks ass across the straight and narrow too. Ditching the 4.2-litre V8 of the coupé in favour of a more economical but equally brawny supercharged V6, acceleration is brisk enough to show most cars in its class a clean set of quad exhaust pipes. Oddly enough the build up of forward momentum doesn’t feel especially quick, probably due to the impressive amount of in-cabin refinement, but a glance down at the clocks will soon dispel any doubts you may have about its performance credentials. Fantastically smooth and silky all the way up to its 7000rpm redline, this muscular three-litre also benefits from Audi’s excellent seven-speed S-Tronic transmission that not only ensures seamless cog-swapping but adds much to the S5’s already cracking soundtrack. Mildly aggressive with the top up, once it’s stowed your skin will prickle to a falsetto engine note that warbles and pops every time you change gear.

Undeniably sporty and great to look at, the final string in the S5’s bow can be found in its surprisingly cushy ride. Equipped with Audi Drive Select and Adaptive damping (both optional), when clicked into Comfort mode the Cabriolet drives with a fluency that seems at complete odds with all the extra stiffening lurking beneath its bodywork. Composed across most surfaces, this Audi also offers its front occupants a high degree of comfort thanks to its superbly supportive sports seats and plenty of legroom. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the rear accommodation, as the space available will only ever be useful to small children and/or amputees. Still, this should be of little concern to the people who’ll buy this car in the first place. No, as a purveyor of open-air kicks that successfully emulates all the appeal of its hard-topped brethren, the Audi S5 Cabriolet ticks all the right boxes. It’s not cheap but the way it drives, stays true to the S-Line lineage, makes it worth every penny.

Audi S5 Cabriolet Fast Facts:

Engine: 2995cc supercharged V6 petrol

Power: 245kW from 5500 – 7000rpm

Torque: 440Nm from 2900 – 5300rpm

0-100km/h: 5.6-seconds (claimed)

Top Speed: 250km/h (claimed)

Fuel Consumption: 9.7l/100km (claimed combined)

Price: From R706 500