THERE are some things in life guaranteed to bring a big smile to my face.
Discovering a pair of aces in my hands while playing No Limit Texas Hold 'Em Poker is one.
Another is finding myself sitting behind the wheel of an Audi A5.
Those who follow the beautiful card game will know that sometimes even your aces can be beaten - causing you untold pain and despair.
The Audi A5, however, is practically unbeatable if you want a luxury coupe with looks, power and performance - because this car has it in spades.
I've just driven the new and improved coupe, with a 3.2-litre FSI V6 petrol engine offering a formidable 265bhp - up from the 240bhp provided by the 3.0-litre model.
The multitronic engine gives you blistering acceleration of 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds, with little of the lag that you get in some automatic transmissions.
In fact, you get the feeling this powerhouse of a car could eventually take-off if it was not restricted to a maximum speed of 155mph.
Yet even though the big beast has so much fire in its belly, you retain the firmest of grips on the road, aided by a superb suspension system that also provides the smoothest of rides.
Just like those aces, the A5 looks sensational.
This model was particularly eye-catching from the outside as it came with blinging five-spoke Y-design alloy wheels. They cost an extra £650, but are the perfect accompaniment to its elegant curves of this athletic body.
Inside is sheer quality, with leather upholstery for the comfiest of electronically-adjusted seats and an instrument and centre console brought together in one unit to display all elements and controls.
And in the centre of the driver's field of vision is an info system that supplies details on the vehicle, navigation, audio systems and in-car telephone.
Other equipment that comes as standard on the A5 include speed-related power steering, electrically operated and heated door mirrors, light and rain sensors and a rear acoustic parking system.
The car was also fitted with many other extras including heated front seats - well worth it at just £250 in a freezing spring day - and a thumping Bang & Olufsen sound system which will cost you an extra £525. Again, money well spent as you get fourteen speakers blasting out 505 watts of music power.
Visibility is excellent from the driver's seat, aided by the fact the windscreen wipers are 'parked' in the invisible area below the edge of the bonnet and the large windscreen.
The car also has plenty of space, with seating for four adults and 455 litres of luggage capacity, which can be boosted further with the folding rear seats.
Of course, all this does not come cheap. The standard Audi A5 3.2 FSI comes in at a shade over £33,500, rising to around £39,000 for my added-extra test car.
Yet unlike aces, you are not gambling your money with the award-winning Audi A5 - a sure-fire winner.
FAST FACTS
Audi A5 3.2 FSI
Price: £33,575
Mechanical: 265bhp, 3,197cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 7spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 6.6 secs
Combined mpg: 32.5
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 207g/km
BiK rating: 28%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust