AUDI'S second generation A5 Coupe is a sizzling alternative to its rival German marques and is very hot on style, performance and appeal.

The super-sleek coupe looks fabulous from every possible angle with its streamlined silhouette, athletic muscular stance, privacy glass, matrix LED headlight, twin tailpipes and striking 19-inch alloys.

Audi always does interiors exceptionally well and the A5 Coupe is further proof with its clutter-free, premium-styled and technology-rich cockpit packed to bursting with all the latest infotainment and connectivity features.

Techno treats includes the likes of heated and electrically-adjustable seats, a pitch perfect Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system, a high resolution colour infotainment screen, Audi's virtual cockpit which enables the driver to personalise the screen's display to highlight certain information and a row of air vents that stretch the length of the dashboard.

The sports seats are super-supportive and can be adjusted every which way to find the ideal driving position and the flat-bottomed 3-spoke leather multi-function steering wheel is a hint at what's in store.

This car was powered by a 3.0-litre 218ps diesel engine mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. It was priced at £40,690, but in true Audi form the optional extras bumped the price up by an extra £6,735 - you could buy a new Dacia Sandero for the price of those options.

The A5 Coupe could sprint from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and maxed out at 155mph and according to official figures the Audi can deliver combined fuel economy of 54.3mpg with carbon emissions of 127g/km.

Audi always pays particular attention to the finer details and one feature that gained my attention was the metal bar that moves forward to deliver the driver and passenger seatbelts when the engine is started. It may sound rather trivial but it means you don't have to lean back to grab at the seatbelt.

When it comes to performance, the A5 Coupe is pure delight to drive. In busy town centres the car cruises along with ease. The all-round visibility is good and parking is made easier thanks to the sensors and reversing camera.

Then out on the faster roads, the vehicle really bursts into action. The road-holding is ultra-grippy with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive keeping it firmly planted no matter what the weather is throwing its way.

The ride is surprisingly smooth despite sitting low to the ground and the vehicle's highly-efficient insulation silences the cabin against any road, wind or engine noise.

Audi's Drive Select feature allows you to select from four different driving modes called Efficiency, Comfort, Auto and Individual and the option of paddle shifts means you can take more control over the gear shifts when you want.

The acceleration is fast through the gears and it's a car that very quickly reaches the national speed limit so it's worth keeping a watchful eye on the speedo.

Comfort levels are good for all occupants and even the duo of back seat passengers benefit from ample space once they have clambered into position. And despite being on larger wheels the ride quality was also high.

One factor worth keeping in mind is the length of the doors. Being a coupe model, they tend to open very wide, so be careful when parking to allow ample space to get out and back in again later on.