My local Audi dealer still has me on the books despite not owning one for over a year now. Last year I was invited to their quattro event and got to drive a S6, S8 and RS6 but unfortunately nearly all the roads were 30 limits which kind of spoils it a bit.

However this year they sent me an invite to their A5 launch which I replied to immediately. They also asked if I wanted to drive other things but apart from a 2.0 TFSI A6 which they didn't have I wasn't that bothered.

So I pitched up early and they suggested that perhaps I could drive an S5 as well as the 3.0 TDI which I had booked.

So now the road test bit:-

A5 3.0 V6 TDI manual.

Very smooth and quite quick as you would expect lots of torque and extremely quiet. A very refined drive and pretty rapid.

A5 with Q7 in the background.

Probably in the region of 40k worth of car by the time you added all the extras. The white led running lights look quite cool and as you would expect of this type of car the fit and finish were excellent.

The big minus from me was the manual transmission and the amount of driveline shunt that there seems to be. I have experienced this in my old A6 2.7T and it is not nice. It makes changing gear quite difficult as if you get it wrong the engine feels like it will enter the cabin. :thumbdwn: As an auto/tiptronic it would be a much smoother drive like my old S6 was.

S5 4.2 V8 manual.

The biggest impression was from the engine. Even though it is not forced induction it sounds like there is a supercharger under the bonnet.

S5.

Pricewise very similar to the diesel but with a few more toys. The funniest thing was I passed a Astom Martin V8 Vantage on the test route and as I was waiting to turn right he came past me again staring out the window.:P

Once again lots of driveline shunt which was bad.

The bonus section.

I had a drive in a Q7 4.2 V8 TDI which was very impressive. A nice growl from the engine and it really shifts but as you are so high up it feels quite slow. God only knows about fuel consumtion.:eek:

It also has a 12 inch scratch down the offside rear 3/4 panel. :eek:

And finally a V6 3.2 TT with DSG (S-tronic now I think) also very nice but ultimately not that quick. It made a lovely noise but on 19 inch wheels with the magneto-wotsit dampers a very harsh ride. If you are after a TT though it would have to be the 2.0 TFSI engined one.

At this point I decided to run away as I thought I had outstayed my welcome and they probably were going to give me the hard sell. It was fun driving someone else's cars for a change. Lets see if they invite me back next year.

As well as the cars there was stuff for kids, a hog roast/BBQ, Sega Rally 2 machine and lots of other things.

PS. I did ask but the MD's R8 was off limits.

Sounds like you had a good day 'out'

Yes a very good day. Would I buy any of them?

No, should 6 numbers come up tonight it would be a RS6 for me everytime.

The RS6 is awesome - must admit it's unlikely my numbers will be coming up either, but they are NICE cars for sure

Nice day out and I love these invite only events, cars, food etc. and all free but me thinks you won't be getting an invite next year if you keep turning up in that manky blue skoda of yours!

me thinks you won't be getting an invite next year

Well I turned up in it last year and they still invited me this year. Manky Blue Skoda or not I am always a potential customer. :P

I even offered to park it round the back.

Very nice - the A5 looks too like the current 3 Series coupe for me though. No bad thing, but I think they could have stamped a bit more originality on it.

And they're not very good at parking at your local stealers, by the looks of it

Steve

Actually it was probably parked by me. Not easy next to a Q7 which is a car and a half. Least its straight.