A1 Scores for the A5

Audi celebrates its centenary this month, and things are looking rosy despite the grey days currently being faced by the car industry.

In the first six months of the year, Audi was the strongest selling premium car brand in Western Europe.

In Spite of the recession, total sales in that sector were only 12 per cent down on the previous year, which was a record for the company.

And the German manufactureres seem to know what buttons to press for the British public.

Take the Audi A5 Coupe.

Its a good indicator of a car’s appeal when those who have a self confessed lack of interest in motoring express their admiration. This happened numerous times when I drove the A5 Coupe.

And this admiration came about simply for the sleek looks of my Ibis white test car.

I drove the two-litre 178bhp A5 TFSi Sport, the entry level engine, but there’s a 208bhp two-litre, a 3.2 V6 and a massive 349 4.2 litre. There’s also two litre, 2.7 and 3.2 diesels.

But whatever engine you chose, from the base model upwards, the A5 won’t leave you wanting for power.

The two-litre engine slingshots you from stationary, and continues to thrust forward right the way through the gears.

The Coupe will hit 62mph in a touch under eight seconds and, driven hard, the acceleration at higher revs can be really amazing.

You cant fault its handling, either. The low-slung A5 grips well around corners and the steering is light but responsive. Theres little body roll and the car manoeuvers crisply, taling bends with few problems.

Audis are know for their high refinement standards and the A5 is no exception.

The six speed gearbox is absolutely spot on, slick precise, and the engine is practically silent, even when the revs are rising.

While idling I occasionally found myself dipping the accelerator pedal just to check the engine was still running!

This adds to the cars elegance but can distance you from the experience of driving. Wind noise is also kept to a minimum, with only a slight whistle at speed, and road noise is dampened completely as the Coupe sails over the tarmac.

This contributes to the slight sense of detachment from the world around but its a small price to pay, and you can cruise for hours at speed on the motorway with no problem at all.

The wide, flat body is deceptively large when you get closer and that Audi front end is impressive as ever. Streamlined and smooth, it looks like a powerful car, inside the cabin, particularly, Audi have stamped their mark of quality.

Quality materials are used throughout, and my test car had classy full-leather two tone seats, which were incredibly comfortable and could be electronically adjusted upwards and horizontally.

The front seats can also be electronically when they are folded forward thanks to two extra switches on top of the seats, to be operated as you clamber through.

Only someone well over six foot is going to have any issues with headroom in the front, and there’s plenty of legroom for all, but things are decidedly cramped in the back and I had to position my seat considerably more forward than usual when the back two seats were filled.

Its a bit like tackling and adventure playground obstacle squeexing yourself through to the back too, and I suspect granny isnt going to relish being taken for a drive in the rear of your A5. Theres a big boot though.

Visabilitys a bit limited through the back window and small rear windows, but the forwards is fine, although you’re in a low driving position.

Highly sensitive parking sensors are fitted, though, which helps out. The dashboard is straightforward, with both digital and traditional speed dials, plus satnav and a quality sound system although the temperature controls took some understanding – I couldn’t seem to stop it blasting out air for a while – and there are a lot of buttons gathered around the gearstick, which required a degree of press-it-and-see while on the move. One day It’ll be caught out with an ejector seat.

As usual Audi haven’t held back on the kit supplied, with a seix speaker sterio, lots of leather, climate control, rain sensing and light sensing wipers and headlights, and a load more, there are also stacks of extras available and airbags aplenty.

This stunning A5 coupe is an effortless drive – supremely comfortable, quick and striking in apperance.

It’s certainly not a cheap option in these cash strapped days my test car started at £26,500 but with extras and on the road costs that went up to £35,455! But its the same price range as the BMW 3 series. But with combined fuel figures of 42MPG, it compares facorably with its competitors.

The Audi A5 Coupe will cary on Audis impressive pedigree – it oozes quality, is refined and luxurious and has a fine turn of speed throught the gears. It will also turn heads wherever it goes.

True granny and the kids are going to struggle in the back but hey …. there you go!

AUDI A5 2.0 TFSI
Engine: 2.0 litre diesel
0-62: 7.8
Top Speed: 148 MPH
Combined Fuel: 42mpg
OTR: £35,455