Audi A5 Coupe

Author: Ian Strachan

The beautifully-styled Audi A5 makes you think the company has been producing coupes for years. But when it was launched a couple of years back, Audi was still new to the coupe market.

You wouldn't think so. The A5 is certainly a looker, with its dramatically sloping rear screen and narrow windows. My test car was fitted with meaty 19 inch alloys which added to its already striking appearance.

Despite the sloping rear screen there's still plenty of room for four adults in this car, and its extra-long wheelbase means the boot is cavernous. That's something you don't get on a lot of modern coupes.

Be in no doubt, this aristocrat of the coupe market is refined, oozes style, is very comfortable and comes with a host of extras you don't expect to find on a standard-spec German car. And tall backseat passengers won't end up with a cricked neck. 

Standard equipment includes and MP3 compatible radio and CD player with 10 speakers, leather upholstery, electrically operated heated door mirrors, first aid kit, front and rear fog lights, acoustic parking system, Xenon headlights, three zone climate control, drivers information system (in colour), auto-opening boot lid and multi-function steering wheel . You also get keyless ignition, folding rear seats, anti-theft system and chromed exhaust pipes as part of the standard package. 

So straightaway you're getting lots of car for your money. And the car is further enhanced by high quality trim materials used throughout the interior, giving it a little more class and style.

Stowage space for a coupe is impressive, making this an excellent tourer. As well its 455-litres of boot space the rear seats fold to provide extra luggage space.

The A5 Coupe which I drove has a silky V6 240 horsepower three litre turbo-diesel engine which is light, lively and well balanced with great power delivery. You really won't know you're driving a diesel. It will get you from 0-60 in about six seconds, and has great mid range power, always feeling as if it has more to give. Despite its power fuel consumption in mixed driving is good at 42.8mpg.

Handling, as you'd expect from an Audi with a four wheel drive Quattro set up,   is excellent. The car felt in total control throughout, including in wet weather. Road and wind noise are kept to a minimum and despite the low profile tyres on its 19 inch alloys the ride is smooth and unfussed.

My test car came with a slick seven-speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox. But if you think you can perform better than the auto box, there's gear change paddles on the steering wheel. 

The Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro automatic in S Line trim will cost you £39,575. It's highly specified, but extras like satellite navigation and electric seats will cost a bit more.. 

This is a stylish and roomy coupe that sets very high standards. It's an attractive, well specified, high-performing car which doesn't make compromises. If they can do this well for a first effort what are Audi Coupe's going to be like when they've acquired some experience in making them?

Road test by Ian Strachan Communications Ltd

Ian Strachan is a motoring and business writer and PR consultant. He can be contacted on 01543 490932 or 07949 202596 or via email: ian@strachan13.freeserv