George Santayana said “Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness”. Knowing what is possible creates a desire within us to reach out and grasp what we yet cannot experience. Audi always strive to succeed at the highest level. And it is evident in the cars that they are manufacturing today that they are well ahead of any rival. The complete deal – the complete package, one would say – might just be found in the quite exceptional and quite outstanding new Audi A5 3.0 TDI. I’m not saying that owning a flash car will ever bring you complete happiness; however, knowing where attaining happiness lies can enable us to enjoy the world around us and the niceties along the way.

Now, what about a head-on comparison? What’s Audi got that others haven’t? Let’s take a brief look at the BMW 3.0d, a Holden Berlina V6, and why not throw in a Lexus GS300 for good measure. BMW is another German engineered car that satisfies the driving enthusiast and also has a 3.0 diesel engine. You could argue that a five series might have been a better comparison; however, I leave the A6 to tackle BMW’s five-series – anyway the 530d is $20 000.00 more! Yes the BMW 3.0d does have a very likeable engine. Like the Audi A5 3.0 TDI, power is creamy smooth and acceleration effortless. Audi has the A5 3.0 TDI rated at 176 kW and 500 Nm of torque. BMW has the 330d rated at 180 kW and 520Nm. Where the Audi wins is in the application of power down on the road. The added traction that one can enjoy from Audi’s world leading Quattro designed AWD system ensures that under any challenge, whether quick acceleration off the line or around high speed corners, the Audi A5 3.0 TDI edges out BMW’s capable engine and chassis. In fact the 0-100 km/h time of the Audi A5 3.0 TDI is considerably faster than both the BMW’s 330d and 530d Beemers. In the Audi A5 3.0 TDI you can consistently run up to 100 km/h in a smidgeon over six seconds. Add some moisture onto the track and… well, you can imagine the problems that the two rear-wheel driven BMWs face. The price of the Audi A5 3.0 TDI is well under the 530d and a little over the 330d alternatives. Certainly, the room inside an Audi A5 3.0 TDI is head and shoulders above the 3-series alternative.

Equipment levels in an Audi are genuinely superb. The Lexus GS300 does give the Audi A5 3.0 TDI a run for its money but doesn’t better it in any way. The quality interior and fit and finish of both the Lexus and Audi are of the best you will find anywhere. The Lexus GS300 is roomy but is over $10 000.00 more. And anyway, the Lexus GS300 has a petrol motor that is no where near as efficient as the high-tech diesel engine gracing the Audi A5 3.0 TDI. Again, performance figures and handling prowess leave the Audi A5 3.0 TDI the clear winner.

What about a Holden? It just doesn’t ring as nicely does it? Audi… Holden. Nah – Audi all the way! Yes, the big Australian made Holdens are very roomy and competitively priced. However, the quality and performance, and the equipment level and comfort are just no match for the sleek Audi A5 3.0 TDI. The Audi A5 3.0 TDI really is in a different league – and besides, like Lexus, Holden doesn’t make a diesel engine for their big sedans anyway. For a V6 petrol Holden, fuel economy and CO2 emission figures are, sadly, as large as a Buddha’s tummy!

Superbly safe, superbly good looking, superbly swift, and superbly refined – the Audi A5 3.0 TDI is an exceptionally nice drive that really doesn’t have a suitable rival – except maybe an E-class Mercedes Benz. But a quick look at the figures show how overpriced the Mercedes Benz alternative is. And anyway, the Audi A5 3.0 TDI is quicker.

The current model series includes the:

• A5 3.0 TDI

For any more information on the Audi A5 3.0 TDI, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Audi dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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