The Audi A5’s throttle has a bite, pushing the car forward with even the slightest bite, at which point a sumptuously deep V8 rumble begins to blare through the cabin. The six-speed gearbox action is crisp and quick and offers great performance.

The 0-60 in 5.1 seconds is quite good, but the diesel version achieves the same distance in 5.9. Solid traction is reassuring when the road gets slippery or wet, and the steering is precise.

There’s possibly an Audi A5 convertible on the way to make up for the coupe’s tiny back seat. Audi uses a bench designed to fit around the folded roof of a convertible, so it’s narrow and there’s less head and legroom than in a Mini. Audi continues to design the cabin, materials and lighting better than anyone, which means the interior of the A5 is sumptuously constructed. It is lined with soft leather and aluminum and has all the elegance and attention to detail of a Swiss watch.

The A5 is also good for the conscience. Its three-litre TDi gets almost 40 mpg and emits far less C02 than the 4.2-litre, just 191 compared to 298. This means the car has a lower tax band and, being a large Audi coupe, it’s value fantastic residual.

The final verdict is that the Audi A5 is a fast cruiser with great torque and endearing noise. The Audi A5 V6 diesel is a gorgeous and glamorous long-distance cruiser that is sure to be a winner. An excellent car to have in anyone’s wallet.