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Model: Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI Quattro 265 PS S-Line S Tronic. Price: from £55,235 Engine:265PS 4 cylinder petrol engine Pictures: AUDI AGDrive...

Alexander The Great - or some such all-powerful titan - allegedly wept when told there were no more worlds to conquer. I know how he felt. I've just scaled the summit and tested probably the best car in it's class. In the great pantheon of motoring marvels one car now supersedes the competition in its radiant affirmation of sublime achievement.

There are no more peaks to conquer, no more rivers to cross, no more Topless Towers in Troy to burn. The new Audi Q5 Sportback puts paid to aspiration. Own one of these and you know you have chosen the best. In my opinion, offerings from the likes of Peugeot, Citroen, Jeep and Vauxhall are mere shadows when compared to one of these. "Cor blimey guv'nor!" exclaimed the gentleman manning the gate at the Six Counties Show as he directed me to the car park. "I'd give a cartload of jellied eels for one of those." I laughed, tickled by his colourful patter and followed his directions across rough terrain and wet grass where other vehicles were struggling for traction. The 4wd with several drive modes made light work of the challenging surfaces. Everywhere eyes were glued to the Q5: eyes tinged, one fancies, with covetousness - for who wouldn't want to swap places with yours truly. I parked, shut off the 265PS 4 cylinder petrol engine and.....well, simply exhaled a long sigh of contentment. Had I succumbed to the sheer comfort of the all-embracing luxury of the irresistible interior I might have nodded off. It occured to me that only in dreams could one hope to surpass the Q5 Sportback experience. It had all kicked off early that morning at my Manor House. I'd just despatched the neighbourhood cockerell with a well-aimed week-old croissant when my manservant burst into the breakfast room.

Audi Q5 Sportback

"The car's arrived." "Car?" I replied. "Car indeed Squire. In my opinion once you clap eyes on it's significant form you'll leave your fried bacon in the pan and take to the highway with adventure in your soul." "You don't say. This car I must see." And see I did. Picture if you will a dashingly styled SUV. Not a trace of vulgarity, no hint of crowd pleasing abrogation of taste - just the best design engineering wrapped in a sleek-skinned modern motor. Audi have taken the SUV concept a step further and added zest to the best, creating an SUV coupe for those who like their mustard sharp. It is sportier and more thrilling than the standard Q5 best seller, appealing to those adventurous in spirit. Remarkably the transformation is achieved at very little practical cost. Drivers of the £55,235 Q5 Sportback hardly lose any luggage space. The coupes rear end is as accommodating as mine host at the Wheatsheaf. It serves you with a smile and an open palm. I checked the boot first to make sure I could carry all the rubbish to the tip - no problem there - dashed back inside to grab a few things and I was ready to go. But where to? "You could try The Six Counties Show" suggested my lackey. "Good call. Want to come with me?" "No. I've got to polish the brasses." So I took to the road like the free spirit that I am. What a drive! The Sportback comes fully loaded with all the best a modern car can provide. There's the Quattro all wheel drive system of course and the 7 speed S Tronic dual clutch auto box. You'd expect nothing less. And there's so much value-added technology that humble brains like mine simply pay obeisance. There's a drivetrain mode for every eventuality and driving along in on-road mode the Sportback simply defies expectations. One gets blown away by the irresistible magnificence of combined performance and sophistication. Does it go like the wind? Well, when was the last time you saw the wind weep? Does it hold the road?

By Syd Taylor

Motoring Reviewer

Are you kidding? It holds the road to ransom. It's Dick Turpin and Black Bess together. It stands, delivers and gallops away up to near 150mph yet I averaged between 37mpg and 40 mpg. And it's incomparably more comfortable than any saddle or stagecoach. Grab the Sportback by the reins and you won't want to let go: it's so addictive.

So there I was at the Six Counties Show following a long drive and now relaxing in the cosseting seating, reluctant to exchange well sprung upholstery for springy turf. I climbed out and headed for the main arena. It was impossible not to think that I was leaving the main event behind.