Perfect 10 for Audi A5

I was asked some time ago, and somewhat unexpectedly, to start writing car reviews for the paper. This was because I knew "everything" about cars my then-editor said, although I think that was more of a comment on the relative lack of knowledge amongst my colleagues. It was a new thing for me and to be perfectly honest, when I started I sorta had to make it up as I went along. I quickly decided that I would keep the technical details to a minimum and concentrate on what it was that most car consumers are interested in when they go looking to buy a new car. Since then I've started reading the work of other reviewers and that seems to be the universal approach.

This, the four-door version of the Audi A5 is without a doubt the best car I've been handed the keys to since I started:



A perfect 10 for Audi

MAKE AND MODEL: Audi A5, sportback

DESCRIPTION: A four-door hatchback saloon that's actually a sports coupe.

ENGINE: 2 litre TDI (143hp)

OTHER AVAILABLE ENGINES: In Petrol 2 litre (180hp), 2 litre (211hp), 3 litre, Quattro (333hp) and in Diesel 2 litre TDI giving either 143 or 170hp, 2.7 litre TDI giving 190hp or 3 litre TDI with 240hp.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Count for nothing – wait until you drive it, and then....wow!

THE LOW DOWN: You don't expect to use a racehorse to plough a field, and you don't expect to put a towbar on a Ferrari so that you can pull bullocks to the mart.
Therefore when you come across a fairly large four door 2 litre diesel saloon with low emissions and a large family-szed hatchback boot, you have certain expectations.
That it might be stunningly beautiful, great fun to drive, and possibly the best car this reviewer has ever sat into probably isn't on your list of expectations.
Well, it certainly wasn't on the list of this reviewer's anyway. And anyway, that's a cart before horse way of looking at it – but let me explain.
The same day that the Leinster Leader test drove the Audi A5 sportback at Sheehy's of Naas, we had just driven a diesel version of a flagship or another marque brand and despite being extremely comfortable and full of luxurious details and features still felt somewhat underwhelming.
Next we approached the A5 sportsback – a four door version of the beloved ordinary A5 coupe. At first impressions before getting inside, it is a stunningly beautiful machine. From all angles it is muscular and classy – the ultimate in Teutonic engineering and design.
Inside, it appeared initially to be a somewhat plainer, if more user friendly than the previous machine (no we won't be saying what it was!).
But turn the engine and select drive (we drove an automatic, although manual is also available) and push the accelerator.....and enjoy the magic!
We drove the A5 out of Sheehy's, turned right and right again out onto the ring road.
Everything, from the cornering, suspension, braking and steering was sure footed – so much so that even the act of braking could be enjoyable.
And despite have 300 cc less than the other marque car we drove that day, it had better acceleration. The one we drove was the Multi SE with 143hp of sheer grunt, while at the same time only delivering 152 grams of CO2 which will only cost you E302 a year. Audi has another version, the SE, with the same engine that develops 170hp and yet only produces 137 grams of co2 leaving you paying only E156 in car tax.
It will use 6.5 litres of diesel per 100 kms in the city, 4.5 on the open road and 5.2 on average.
Given the size of this car and its speed, the above figures would suggest it was built for a bunch of hippy environmentalists – and yet, for the immature heavy footed amongst us, this is a very fun car to drive.
Dare we say it, the Audoi A5 was not meant for long journeys on comfortable motorways. This car was meant for long journeys on twisty, bendy hills. This is a driver's car.
The 'plainer' and 'easier-to-use' layout of the cockpit was deceptive. This car has as many gismos and features as any other luxury marque car but doesn't feel the need to shout about them.
The contradictions continue when you go to open the boot.
You're thinking, well, this is a slightly enlongated version of the two door coupe; the back seats are generous as coupes go; this is a sports coupe. Obviously the boot should be just about big enough to hold a lady's purse.
Well, no. A set of golf clubs and a child's buggy could fit in it and still leave room for a week's shopping. If you're so minded, you can let down the back seats, and with the boot door opening like a hatchback you can easily fit a lawnmower or two in the back.
In short, this is an extravengtly perfect car, and the first 10 out of 10 the Leinster Leader has ever given.


PRICES RANGE FROM: €42,825 to €71,705

WHO IS IT FOR: Everyone!

MARKS OUT OF TEN:10.