Audi is getting serious about building drivers' cars. The Ingolstadt company's RS4 and R8 models were first evidence of this, as was the second generation TT. All these models however, were very much niche-marketed. Only with the launch of the A5 coupe has the German marque's latest philosophy filtered down into a car that more mainstream buyers can both conceivably justify and afford.

There will be many potential buyers who look at the A5 and mistake it for a swoopy two door version of the A4. Understandable but flat wrong. The key is what Audi call the MDS platform, and it forms the underpinnings of the A5 as well as the next A4, A6 and A8 models. The significant thing about this chassis is that Audi's engineers have shifted the front axle as far forwards as possible and shunted the engine and gearbox as far back as they can. For years, chassis engineers have known that bringing weight to the centre of the car improves its responses and agility, which is why Formula 1 cars and all serious supercars have their engines mid-mounted. More recently, engineers have explored the concept of the 'front mid-engined' car, that is, a car with the engine ahead of the driver but behind the line of the front axle. It might sound techy but it offers real benefits.

As the company that popularised four-wheel drive sports cars, Audi has developed a reputation for innovation and design. Therefore, it was imperative for it to start divorcing itself from what was seen as a rather old-fashioned and suboptimal chassis layout. The A5 has finally broken that mould. The steering system has been redesigned to offer better feel, five link front suspension helps optimise balance and a there's the familiar quattro drive system. This abandons the stodgy old 50:50 distribution in favour of a sportier 40 per cent front and 60 per cent rear torque split. It's just another example of the way Audi really is getting serious.

There are two diesel engines offered, a 190bhp 2.7 TDI teamed with a multitronic gearbox and a manual 3.0-litre TDI that can manage 240bhp, resulting in a 0-60 time of just 5.7 seconds. Opt for petrol power and the choice is mouth-watering, the entry-level unit being a 1.8 TFSI unit with 170bhp, sitting just beneath a 3.2-litre V6 with a hefty 262bhp and 330Nm of torque. Even this model will hit an electronically-limited 155mph top speed and jet to 60 in 5.9 seconds. Step up to the S5 with the 4.2-litre V8 FSI and you get a 351bhp road rocket that gets to 60mph in 4.9 seconds and which churns out a monstrous 440Nm of torque at just 3,500rpm.

"?it's unlikely that the A5 will come up short in any comparison with key rivals"

Leaving aside its radically improved chassis, the most significant factor for most buyers will be the simple fact that here at last is an Audi coupe that real people with legs and a head will be able to sit in the back of, something that could never really be said of the TT. Despite the attraction of the TT's styling, this one caveat was enough to send many potential buyers down the road, only for them to return with Mercedes CLKs or, more frequently, BMW 3 Series coupes. The A5 will seat four adults in reasonable comfort and still leave room for 455 litres of boot space.

The styling is reminiscent of the Nuvolari concept car, first shown in 2003, albeit with a good deal more shape in its flanks, the wavy beltline that runs from the headlights right back to the tail lights being the car's most distinctive feature. The interior is cleanly styled too, with the fascia looking a lot cleaner than some contemporary Audi models, the cowled dash now neatly incorporating the centrally mounted display screen. As with all Audi models, build quality seems peerless with beautifully damped controls and top-drawer materials used throughout. Expect a convertible version to follow.

Surprise, surprise, prices aren't too different from those being charged for BMW's 3 Series Coupe. The entry-level 1.8 TFSI model carries a list price of £26,190, the 2.7TDI model costs £31,640, the 3.2FSI is pitched at £33,230 and the 3.0-litre TDI looks good value at £33,430. Perhaps the most eye-catching price tag comes at the top of the range. With BMW's new M3 costing well over £46,000, the S5 lands smack between that car and the 335i Coupe, pitching in at £39,825. Anybody with a £40,000 car budget will be sorely tempted.

A5 models include as standard 17-inch alloys, Milano leather upholstery, an MP3 compatible CD stereo, acoustic parking sensors, xenon lights, light and rain sensors and an automatic opening boot. Go for the S5 and it comes with 18-inch rims, S sports suspension and nappa sports seats, bigger brakes, carbon fibre interior detailing and an S body styling pack. Options include a revised Multi Media Interface with DVD satellite navigation and a smart key that can store servicing information.

If there's one thing we can take as read with Audi coupes, it's a strong residual value. The A5 will, as a genuinely new and not merely an evolutionary product from Audi, also enjoy the benefit of being perceived - rightly or wrongly - as a more modern product than its CLK or 3 Series rivals, with this perception helping to beef up used values. Great news if you're looking to buy one or lease a car for, say, three years but possibly not what you'd want to hear if you were holding out for a bargain on a low mileage example. Word is there won't be too many screaming deals to take advantage of.

Economy should be put into context. All of the A5's engines major on power and efficiency, as Audi was very keen for the car to more than punch its weight which is why there are no genuine budget engine choices. Nevertheless, the 2.7 TDI manages 42.1mpg and even the steam catapult 3.0 TDI can eke 39.2 miles from a gallon of heavy oil. The 3.2-litre FSI petrol model claims 32.7mpg although I'm sceptical about how close most owners will get to that figure in real world conditions.

Although some buyers may be a little disappointed at how conservatively Audi has styled the A5, it's undeniably a handsome piece of penmanship and, most encouragingly, signals a new resolve to offer more spirited drivers cars. Objectively there is very little to criticise. It's marketed cleverly, beautifully finished, well-equipped and will also work out comparatively affordable to run once the purchase price has been swallowed.

The choice of engines is also very astute without a single duffer identifiable. The S5 looks a particularly tempting piece of kit, keenly priced and ruthlessly targeting a hole in the BMW 3 Series coupe line up. In short, Audi looks to have another winner on its hands.

TOP 4 A5 DEALS

The results below show the top A5 deals on buyacar

	Audi A5 1.8T FSI Sport 2dr Coupe
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £1,009	Price £26,471
	Audi A5 S5 Quattro 2dr Coupe
	ETR	Mthly £679	Saving £1,637	Price £38,623
	Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro Sport 2dr Coupe
	ETR	Mthly £585	Saving £1,369	Price £33,351
	Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro 2dr Coupe
	ETR	Mthly £569	Saving £1,322	Price £32,448

typical 9.66% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000