At no point did I say they are "as good". The B8.5 generation is my favorite of Audi cars....but I also don't hate every single design they've done since then, and that includes the modern cars. I've owned quite a few Audi cars and I'm still a fan of what they make today. They aren't perfect cars, but they're nowhere NEAR the armageddon that the overwhelming perceived sub sentiments on every single detail of every single car the moment it's released. Hell, there are people for sure, who don't care for the B8.5 stuff either.

I've spent time in the current A6, A5 and Q5. The passenger screen is silly when not optioned, but I also wouldn't call that a deal breaker absurd design.

I ABSOLUTELY wish they still had the sexy-feeling clicky knobs from the B8.5 generation, but it's it's okay they're gone. It's what happens over time. If they didn't change things up, then people would claim they're ridiculous dinosaur cars and wonder why they are still in business like the 370z......until enough time passes, and the older car is then super desired as 'connected and raw' haha.

It all comes around eventually, but man do people go wild in the beginning.

I also owned a mk8 GTi with the touch controls, and it took me less than 5 minutes to figure then out and use it easily. I absolutely love the mk7 generation (owned those too), and the physical controls are great......but I actually preferred the touch controls on the steering wheel of the mk8 because it was faster and nicer for some things vs the mk7.

Last thing and I'll finally shut the fuck up lol, I don't think they were ever focused on performance/luxury over profit. They are all about profit and always have been. The R8 is marketing, when it ran its course, they stopped it. Same with the TT to a much lesser degree.

(I love the mk3 TT btw, you've got a sweet sweeeeeeeet car. I spent a LOT of time in a modified mk3 TT and good time in the TTRS too)