Driven: Audi A5 1.8 TFSI S-line

Audi's A5 has benefited from a mid-life refesh. Is it enough to keep it in contact with rivals?

 In a bid to slow the ageing process of the popular A5, Audi has smartened its executive express with new lights and restyled bumpers, which, when combined with the sporty S-Line upgrades (think spoilers and big wheels) and bright red paint, as on our test car, makes for a smart-looking machine.

Under the bonnet the 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine gains 10bhp to take the total to 168bhp, along with 236lb ft of torque from 1,400rpm and the ability to return 49.6mpg in the EU test. If the figures sound distinctly diesel-like then I’m pleased to report that the engine doesn’t. Rather, it’s fairly muted for the m

ost part, only mustering a distant snarl when you home in on the redline – 0-62mph, for the record, takes a respectable 7.8sec.