THE Audi A5 started out as a sleek and sophisticated three door coupe but the range has grown with the addition of the Sportback five door coupe and the convertible - which is one of the most beautifully proportioned drop tops on the market.

The three door is also the sleekest shaped of the coupe breed in my humble opinion, bettering the lines of both the BMW 3 Coupe and the Mercedes E-Class three door.

I'll concentrate on the last model which - would you believe - was built for nine years between 2007 and 2016.

There was a facelift in 2011 and numerous updates and revisions during the model's life - as there seem to be with most these days

All the standard cars come with a very good ride over most surfaces, but some models have lowered sports suspension, and as with so many cars, it drastically spoils the quality of the comfort.

If you would rather be comfortable, without giving anything away to the sports suspension cars in terms of handling or roadholding, avoid them.

Like all Audis, A5s are beautifully built both inside and out with quality materials and top notch fit and finish.

After 2011, the petrol engine range included a 2.0-litre turbo with between 180 and 230bhp and the higher powered model is capable of 0 to 62 miles an hour in 6.9 seconds.

There is also a smooth and immensely tuneful 3.2-litre V6 with 265bhp, which does the same sprint in 5.9 seconds.

The 2.0-litre can also manage an official average economy of 42 to 44mpg with emissions of 144g/km, while the V6 average is down in the low 30s and has emissions of 199 with a standard automatic gearbox.

There is also a barnstorming range topper - the S5 - with a 4.2-litre V8 engine but economy is not up to much even though performance is superb.

Early cars had a choice of 2.7 or 3.0-litre V6 diesels with either 187 or 236bhp, excellent performance and low 40s economy.

Then a 2.0-litre oil burner with 170 to 177bhp was added, still capable of 0 to 62 in 8.3 seconds and also 53mpg economy.

From 2014, a new ultra economical 2 litre diesel was added, with 161bhp, similar performance, economy boosted to 67.3mpg and emissions of just 109g/km.

All the engines have been fitted with stop/start since 2009-10, and of course, most are also available with the extra security of four wheel drive, using the Audi quattro system, and one of two automatic gearboxes.

The A5 is well-balanced and grippy in the corners, with good roll control and precise and well-weighted steering giving decent feedback.

Pressing on, it clings to the road surface like glue on dry roads, and of course, the quattro system gives excellent traction in all weathers.

Inside, there are only four seats, and if you regularly carry people in the back, think hard about buying a three door. It is rarely easy or elegant to get into those back seats!

The standard entry trim is very poor for such an expensive car, and Audi's claim that buyers would rather add spec to personalize their cars from the expensive extras list no longer holds water, when there are so many other cars with excellent spec for far less money.

That basic spec includes traction control, alarm, heated mirrors, alloys, climate and folding rear seats. It doesn't even have the parking sensors that are standard on superminis these days.

The SE only adds audio remote controls, leather and parking sensors, and the S-Line next up the scale still doesn't get standard sat nav.

Obviously, most second hand cars will have added spec from their first owners, so hunt around to find the one that gives you the best value.

Pay about £9,700 for a '14 14-reg 2.0TDI SE auto, or £15,300 for a '16 16-reg 2.0T FSi S-Line.

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