NEW car sales in the UK have fallen this year by an alarming number and almost all manufacturers are reporting plummeting sales.
But Audi is bucking the trend.
The up-market German car company has increased its 2008 sales figures by around three per cent against an industry fall of eight per cent.
The quality of Audi's product and being able to offer no fewer than 29 models must have something to do with its success.
Now Audi is set to launch yet another classy motor to its stable, the premium Q5 SUV.
On sale early next year, the Q5 will be up against the likes of the BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander and Volvo XC60.
With a starting price of £27,650 the Q5 isn't cheap, and if you add some of the vast range of extras on offer you could be looking at a pricey motor. But on the plus side you will get a superbly built, roomy SUV which should give no trouble and keep its price better than most.
The Audi Q5 has been designed to deliver an on-road driving experience that is closer to being behind the wheel of a sporty estate than a big 4x4.
Behind the wheel of the five-seater the handling is composed, helped by its longest-in-class wheelbase and quattro permanent all-wheel-drive.
At motorway speed the extra large mirrors give off some wind noise but engine and road noise are extremely low.
At launch, the engine range will comprise the brand new 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine delivering 211bhp, the latest generation 2.0-litre TDI in 170bhp form and the recently updated 3.0-litre TDI with 240bhp The 2.0-litre TDI is fitted with a six-speed manual transmission, and 2.0 TFSI and 3.0 TDI versions with the new seven-speed S tronic transmission.
All power units offer exhilarating acceleration, smooth gear changes and instant response.
The 2.0 petrol gives the Q5 a top speed of 137mph with acceleration from rest to 62mph of 7.2 seconds. Audi claims you can get 33.2mpg on a combined run, although I managed just 25mpg.
The diesel 2.0 gives a claimed 126mph top speed, sprint time of 9.5 seconds and 42.1mpg while the V6 diesel 3.0 TDI comes in at 139mph, with 0-62mph at 6.5 seconds and 37.6mpg on a mixed run.
CO2 emissions on all models are impressively below 200g/km.
Although just two per cent of 4x4 owners take their vehicles off-road, those that do will be catered for. The Q5 is fitted with an electronic stabilisation system with gives maximum traction off-road. It also offers hill descent control, which enables safe navigation of steep inclines.
Inside the Q5 the rear seats are easy to fold down via remote release levers in the luggage compartment, and when folded expand the load capacity from 540 litres to 1,560 litres.
The high riding position gives the driver an excellent view all round. Seating is comfortable and supportive and there is adequate room for five adults.
Q5 models fitted with the 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI engines come in three specification levels - Standard, SE and S line. The Q5 3.0 TDI is available in conjunction with SE and S line trim only.
Each comes with an electromechanical parking brake, front and rear electric windows, powered mirrors, electronic climate control and a single CD audio system with 6.5-inch display. The SE option adds extras such as Milano leather upholstery, light and rain sensors and rear acoustic parking and 18-inch alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers.
Prices start at £27,650 for the Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro, the Q5 2.0 TDI SE at £29,950, and the 3.0 TDI SE at £32,100.
Despite the tough economic climate Audi is confident that the Q5 will still attract up-market buyers and expects to sell more than 6,000 in a full year in the UK.