G
reat news. For those who mourn the passing of the five- door gentleman’s express, it’s back. The concept was always great; a large, comfortable and powerful saloon blessed with a tailgate. Less ungainly and utilitarian than a full- blown estate car, yet very nearly as useful, Rover should perhaps be credited with inventing the concept in the form of its much- admired SD1 and it has had many imitators since then. Now Audi has revived the idea with the new A5 Sportback. This is a car that any dog-owner and/or sportsman will want to drive. No longer are you trying to squeeze polo sticks into a boot carefully designed to accept golf clubs. Never again need your beloved family pet paddle Windsor Great Park’s finest loam across your back seat. For the last time will you be forced to take the dog-eared family estate and its rubbish radio-cassette to polo while your wife delights in your pride and joy’s Bang & Olufsen on the school run.
No digital dash concept can beat the symmetry of twin dials and the A5 remains true to the tradition. Beyond these, the layout is remarkably uncluttered; remarkably because the A5 is laden with technical wizardry, which has been cleverly incorporated into a beautifully intuitive system. That is to say, if you don’t understand it, haul a teenager off the street and they will have it figured it out in a jiffy!
As tested, the car boasted a radio, CD-player, mp3 player, iPod connector, sat-nav and Bluetooth mobile phone connection. A plethora of gizmos but all were operated from the small group of controls on the centre console dubbed a Multi-Media Interface. But this is not as scary as it sounds. Simply press the button that selects the item you want to control and the information comes up on the Driver Information System – the screen in the centre of the dash to the lay people among us. Playtime with the toys over, it is time to time to see how the
So thanks to Audi those days can now be a distant nightmare as the new A5 Sportback is able to be all the cars you want it to be. Sitting up front, this Audi is every inch a sophisticated driving machine that will cover great distances at high speed, but in impeccable comfort and quietness. Yet at the other end the tailgate opens to reveal a space that can accommodate the
Audi presents itself on the road. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel is superb and has to be the obvious choice from the six engine options available. The only vice is a hesitancy to get away from a standstill that can be tiresome at busy junctions. Out on open roads though, the first impression of the handling is distinctly uninspiring. It does the job, but without any great aplomb. This
No longer are you trying to squeeze polo sticks into a boot carefully designed to accept golf clubs. The chassis comes alive and the car shrinks to a fraction of its true size as it slips down country lanes like a greased snake...
muddiest of Labradors or polo sticks for all but the tallest mounts likely to be found on Smith’s Lawn. All very well, I hear you say, but if a car claims to be a great all- rounder, then it needs to be an exceptionally good car because you are likely to spend most of your road miles at its wheel. Does the Audi square up to that challenge credibly? Starting with the styling, the answer is an emphatic yes. The four doors and tailgate have been cleverly incorporated into a flowing shape that is closer to a coupé than a hatch or estate. Laced with Audi’s established styling cues, this car adds up to a package that can hold its head up in any company anywhere. Settle into the pilot’s seat and the styling is equally satisfying.
is the moment to bring the Drive Select Dynamic Control feature to your attention. Come on, you knew this car would have such a thing! Flick it from Comfort to Dynamic and suddenly all its sins are forgiven. The chassis comes alive and the car shrinks to a fraction of its true size as it slips down country lanes like a greased snake. Finally we return to the car’s raison d’être, its tailgate. Does it deliver all the versatility it promises? Up to a point it certainly does. Forget it if you are an antique dealer, but for the rest of the world it offers near estate space within a coupé style package. Dog owners and sportsmen, your prayers have been answered.
OFFICIAL YEARBOOK 2010 GUARDS POLO CLUB | 75
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