What: Audi S5
Where: 280km blast from Taupo to Taumaranui and environs plus Taupo race track
On sale: Now
Price: $137,300
About: The S5 introduces a genuine whiff of sex appeal to a brand normally known for its dry design restraint. It also introduces a new platform which will underpin the future A4 and A6. It's a clever base that not only allows length variations but width, too. So though this car's wheelbase is shorter than the next A4's, track is actually wider.
Only the six-speed manual transmission's available at launch - the Tiptronic arrives in May 2008 - but Audi's confident the S5's performance aspirations mean a self-shifter won't damage sales.
Certainly the 4.2-litre V8 engine's a goodie. Filched from the much larger Q7, it's got 260kW at 7000rpm and 440Nm at 3500rpm. Yes, more than the RS4 and lower down the rev range. Better yet, 90% of that's available anywhere from 2500 to 5500rpm. You can literally drive her on the throttle, lifting off, powering out, riding great creamy streams of urge.
She can handle it, too. The self-locking asymmetric centre diff sends grip to whichever wheels can use it - anywhere from 58 to 80% of torque to the rear. Meanwhile the five-link front, trapezoidal-link rear suspension is doing a superb job of keeping the rubber down, and the occupants comfy. You really can take granny to bingo in this, then blast off - perhaps on a track day if you're prepared to have fun, not get too serious. The suspension's plush enough for the former, and as for the latter, there's plenty of feel, she's easy to line up and gather in if that nose does start to push - and the V8 sounds fantastic when thrashed.
More sedate drivers will also enjoy the car's Bluetooth capabilities, the silk nappa leather sports seats in a choice of colours, the Audi Symphony sound system and MMI control of the interior functions, the six airbags and the knowledge a comprehensive list of stability, braking and traction aids are waiting in the wings. Plus the genuine seating for four, and a generous 455-litre boot.
There's a 3.2-litre V6 petrol due in March - which will have to be much cheaper to distract buyers from this V8 - and a 3.0-litre diesel planned for August.
For: A true GT, can cosset four adults in pampered comfort over almost any road and distance yet capable of sporting performance if required; looks sexier than almost any current Audi; offers as much for a lower price than many costlier GTs
Against: If you want to show off, this car's still restrained; Audi RS4 more focussed sportser-for-four for not much more, and it's got four doors