The Audi S5 is a high performance version of the A5, a compact executive car. A real speedster, it has a massive amount of power under the hood and the fact it costs less than the BMW M3 makes it a genuine contender in its niche. Continuing Audi’s trend for keeping its powerhouses in regular clothes, the S5 is understated to look at, but an absolute beast to get behind the wheel of.

The S5 was ushered into the motoring spotlight in 2007, and has continued to impress ever since. Available as a coupe, cabriolet and sportsback, there’s certainly no limit to its appeal. There’s even the RS5 to consider, which is even more power hungry and an altogether different animal. Showcasing everything Audi prides itself on, the S5 is a technologically advanced, performance car that is at the pinnacle of driving.

While it does look slightly more aggressive than the regular A5, there’s not much to outwardly suggest it’s a sports car. This is actually not a bad thing because there are other autos on Audis roster that push the limit of exterior designs. Inside it’s lavishly decorated with high quality materials, but again is quite conservative and not much different to the regular model. You do get sports seats and a better steering wheel though. Overall it’s comfortable and there’s a decent amount of space in the front, although the rear is quite cramped. As you’d expect there’s a huge amount of kit available, being a top of the range model. Add a large boot to the mix and really you’re looking at a fully stocked car.

But how it looks, what features it has and whether it’s comfortable are all secondary to the driving experience in the grand scheme of things. Get behind the wheel of this thing and you’ll find out pretty quickly that Audi doesn’t mess around. It is blisteringly fast and has some epic handling thanks to the trademark Quattro 4x4 system. Mountains of grip, supremely confident steering and a whole lot of feel means you can let loose and have a lot of fun. As a GT car it’s particularly good and its poised on both motorways and country roads. Some massive engines, including a V8, mean it can get up to speed in a flash.

The S5 isn’t cheap by any means, and that’s why finding a second hand one is such a good idea. Dramatic price discounts across the board means Motors.co.uk is one of the best places to pick up a high quality used Audi S5 for considerably less of the cost. This is a car that demands respect, and buying pre owned means you can give it your full attention without seeing your bank account go up in flames.

The clear fact is that the Audi S5 is a real monster of a car in both presence and performance. Ideal for executives who need some more excitement in their lives, the Audi has the power to thrill and delight in a very short space of time. Whether you go for the coupe, sportsback or convertible, one thing is for sure- you’ll never want to get out!