Audi A5 RS 5 Coupe

Costs

On paper the RS 5 appears to be good value. You certainly do get a lot, what with the car's performance and general feeling of quality. The flipside is that you'll be spending a lot on fuel and road tax.

Space and practicality

Despite the presence of two expertly crafted rear seats, the RS 5 is realistically a two-seater - at least for adults - as head and legroom is modest in the back. Elsewhere there's a reasonable amount of oddment storage up front, while the car's boot is a good size for a compact coupe and access is straightforward.

Controls and display

Along with building high quality cars, Audi's reputation stretches to its cabin ergonomics. Clear displays and intuitive controls rule in the RS 5, with the large, main colour display proving especially easy to use thanks to Audi's smart MMI rotary controller. On the performance side, the car's steering wheel mounted gear shifters work well and the steering wheel itself is suitably chunky.

Comfort

The RS 5 might be a high performance car but it's also a comfortable one. With its heavily bolstered front seats, front seat occupants are well catered for. Once you're in the back, there's enough room for an average size adult, although you'd want to restrict journeys to short ones. On the road, the car can be quite loud; this is often desirable but sometimes it would be nice to drive around without the V8's macho soundtrack.

Car security

For all the car's performance potential it doesn't stand out that much on the road - until you fully exercise the V8, that is. You should find that the factory fitted approved alarm and immobiliser as fitted as standard to all A5 models, will do a fine job of protecting your pride and joy. For added peace of mind, you could invest in a tracker system.

Car safety

Along with the other aspects of the car, Audi hasn't skimped on the RS 5's safety lit. All the usual items are present - plenty of airbags plus an advanced traction and stability package. Don't forget the car's all-wheel drive system, which is just as useful on a wet, winter road as a trackday activity.

Driver appeal

Having spent many years struggling to produce engaging sports car since the original quattro, the RS 4 showed the first signs of promise. The RS 5 builds on this and delivers an impressive performance. The car's V8 engine is powerful and willing, while the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox is responsive and the ride cleverly balances the need to be firm yet comfortable. Various adaptive systems help to enhance the ride, while the all-wheel drive system allows for a greater rear bias - making the car feel and behave in a more agile way when driven hard.

Family car appeal

There's little chance of any A5 variant, let alone the RS 5, taking over as the default car in the family household. It might have a good size boot but access to the rear seats is as you'd expect from a coupe, making them suitable really only for children. Even then, reaching in and belting them in will be awkward.

First car appeal

Unlike the more accessible and affordable regular A5 variants, the RS 5 is a bit special. It's also a bit more powerful and expensive to run, making it less than ideal for the novice driver.

Quality and image

Audi has had the quality thing nailed for some time now. Whatever the car, the cabins are an object lesson in how to build something with substance and a premium ambience. And with its newfound ability to develop engaging performance cars, trading on the quattro name is no longer viewed by the critics as a cynical marketing ploy.

Accessibility

Being a two-door coupe access to the front seats is easy, although the car's big doors could prove troublesome when opened in tight parking spaces. You'll need to be agile to get into the back, though. The RS 5's chunky sports seats don't help matters, as they rob the rear cabin of a little space. At the back the car's boot is a good size, and does much to enhance the Audi's practical side.

Stereo and ICE (In car entertainment)

The standard offering is a good one, with the display and various controls easy to read and use respectively. Sound quality is also good, and the various add-ons - mobile phone, MP3 player, iPod, sat-nav and premium audio upgrade - all work well.

Colours and trim

Taking the A5 shape to its logical, performance-orientated conclusion, the RS 5's bodykit is a pleasingly subtle one. Factor in a palette of bold exterior colours and the car's appearance is striking without being brash. Inside it's the usual high quality Audi experience. The dark leather and low roofline combine to make the ambience a sombre on, though.

Parking

With its light but accurate steering at slow speeds plus useful parking sensors, the RS 5 is no more difficult to park than a regular A5. Rear three-quarter visibility could be better, although that's often the case with any low-slung coupe.

Spare wheel

Space saver spare wheel is replaced by a tyre inflation kit.