Motoring
Audi RS3 Sportback
Audi A5 Cabriolet
The five-door Audi RS3 Sportback is one fast car. With the ability to reach 62mph in 4.6 seconds, the RS3 certainly knows how to get the heart racing. Its speed combined with superb pulling power makes overtaking effortless. It glides around country lanes, provides plenty of grip and finds a new gear when you are not expecting it – provided by its sevenspeed S Tronic gearbox. Along with the 2.5 TFSI engine and quattro four-wheel drive, this smart car certainly offers a thrilling drive. The RS3 is essentially a faster and better looking version of the A3 – and for that it costs nearly double the price of a standard A3. It also guzzles fuel like there is no tomorrow. One could drive it more economically to save on fuel costs but then that’s not much fun, and you may as well have bought an A3 instead.
What better way to turn up to the HPA’s International Day at Guards Polo Club, than with the roof down in one of new sponsors Audi’s most classy models? I was lucky enough to live out that dream this July in a stunning A5 Cabriolet and, to be honest, I can’t think of a better way to turn up at any stylish social occasion or polo ground. The A5 Cabriolet perfectly marries good looks with raw power and – fitted with all of Audi’s latest safety and entertainment features – it is a surprisingly easy and comfortable drive. As you would expect from a convertible, the best feature of the A5 Cabriolet is certainly its roof. Not only does it take a remarkably quick 10 seconds to fully open or close with the touch of a button, but the mechanism works with the car moving up to 50mph – particularly useful for unscheduled rain as you bomb down the motorway.
Is it practical for polo? Not particularly given it’s a small hatchback sports car. However, it does have a through-loading hatch, which is ideal for a stick bag and there is 302 litres of luggage space, which is enough if you have a small amount of kit. With the back seats down this luggage capacity can quadruple but then there is only room for the driver and one passenger. It’s good looking and will certainly turn heads at your local polo club as you roar up the driveway. GM
Is it practical for polo? The convertible comes at a cost as the boot space is rather minimal, but I think that’s a price worth paying. JOS
Knowledge
Essentials Price: £39,930 Fuel: Diesel Engine: 3.0 TDI 0-62 mph: 6.3 seconds Top speed: 155 mph (governed) Combined mpg consumption: 54.3 Rating: 8/10
Photographs by Audi and John O’Sullivan
Essentials Price: £39, 930 Fuel: petrol Engine: 2.5 TFSI 0-62 mph: 4.6 seconds Top speed: 155 mph (governed) Combined mpg consumption: 31.0 Rating: 8/10
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23/11/2012 12:47