Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THERE is something comforting about the touch of an Audi, it's so sensitive and will do exactly what it is told whether you are handling the steering wheel or simply pressing down on the pedal.
Add that to the fact that the new A5 Sportback Quattro is a sexy little beast and drivers can well imagine what a joy it is to pass the Burgerland roundabout lunatics with style and grace.
There is no touching this car - it goes where you want it to go and it does it with a meaty roar from its 2000cc 4-cylinder engine.
Blending coupe good looks, saloon comfort and estate practicality, Audi believes the all-new A5 Sportback has no direct rivals.
It feels like a sports car but boasts that all important extra set of doors, a vital ingredient for the family man, and its longer, higher stance means the Sportback, as the designers boast, unites the best of various vehicle genres: the emotion and elegance of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon, as I mentioned earlier.
This three-in-one concept sounds mind boggling and doesn't really make sense at first but experience the A5 Sportback in the flesh, one leading motoring correspondent reported, and you'll start to fathom why Audi has created this new concept and niche.
Having tested a number of Audi's latest models only last year on a racing circuit in a neighbouring Gulf state, taking the A5 Sportback on the roads around the kingdom was a whole different matter. The Sportback joins the CoupŽ and Cabriolet as the third member of the A5 model family.
I had to race from the office in Isa Town to pick up my son in Saar for football training in, yes, you guessed it, Isa Town. It's not the most welcoming of journeys at the best of times but during the school run it's normally nightmarish.
Not on this occasion. This car is a joy to drive and in any case, you look good sitting in a queue too. The five-door model with its long, flowing rear end stands out in a crowd.
The boot already had my briefcase in, a camera bag, my sports kit and towel for my morning jaunt to the Dream Body Centre in Seef and there was still plenty of room for little Stan's school bag, sandwich box and his Arsenal fooball kit plus football and a carrier bag full of shopping I'd done earlier.
There is no disputing the fact that the amount of extra space Audi has managed to find in the rear is the Sportback's biggest achievement. Head and leg room is now on a par with the A4 I'm told and boot space is equally impressive and what's more, the Sportback matches the A4 with the rear seats folded flat. Plus, thanks to the new clever hatchback boot, it is very easy to load too.
What I also really like about this car is the cute way you can open the door. I know keyless entry is common place on most top range new models but it's still impressive that you can keep the gadget in your pocket and still open the door and drive off, jump out and lock up in one easy touch of the handle.
Other little gems to appreciate in this quality Quattro are the leather-covered multifunction three-spoke sports steering wheel, glass sunroof, parking aid plus, symphony radio (Bang & Olufsen Sound System), Valcona leather, cast aluminum alloy wheels and front sports seats.
Contact the Audi Centre Bahrain in Sitra for more details by calling 17459933
The cost of the A5 Sportback is BD23,950, inclusive of five years or 105,000km free service, five years warranty with unlimited mileage, five years road assist, 12 years rust warranty and first year registration (As per Audi regular maintenance schedule).
