Coupes

It’s a market sector that Audi abandoned in 1996 after the demise of the less popular second-generation model. The firm’s attention had been diverted elsewhere – into the more stylish but less practical TT, which was first seen as a concept in 1995. This change of tack allowed BMW to reap what its rival had sown and, ever since, its 3-Series Coupé has dominated this highly lucrative class.

Audi believes it now has the car to tempt buyers back. The A5 is built on the new Modular Longitudinal Platform (MLP) that will underpin the next A4, has the same rear-biased quattro 4WD set-up as the RS4 super-saloon and comes with several new engines, including the uprated 3.0 TDI we test here.

Meanwhile, the latest two-door 3-Series was commended in the coupé class of Auto Express’s New Car Honours 2007. Launched last autumn, the model is available with a choice of eight engines, including this powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel.

But we’ve lined up another car for this test – and it might take a few people by surprise. We’re not expecting Peugeot’s 407 Coupé to match the Germans’ status, quality, pace or handling. Yet we do anticipate it will give them a hard time in terms of refinement, comfort, equipment and running costs.

So the A5 faces a really tough task if it’s to follow the Quattro and claim class honours.