At this point on the journey with the state of the roads it also looked like this;
Anyway quick gulp off coffee and chat and I was on my way back. Went back a different way staying on the main A roads due to the weather. Again, it was very foggy in patches and very cold. Once again it was a mixture of getting stuck in traffic and a few blasts. When I got back to the dealership the fuel computer showed this for the overall journey;
Now, I was amazed as when I did the same sort of journey in my RS5's the economy would have been around 22-23mpg at the same sort of speeds.
Overall impression of the car are;
1. Very comfortable and the ride is alot better than the RS3.
2. They have definately done something to the S tronic gearbox since my RS5 days as the gearbox now seems to change up early when your not giving it beans and it also changes down quicker when you want to give it beans. It will be in 7th gear doing as little as 33mph running just above 1000rpm and I'm guessing this is where the extra economy comes from.
3. Steering was good I even with the optional dynamic steering. The only weird thing was it really lighten up at low speeds and with the weather as it was you could kid yourself that you were driving on ice.
4. Handled well although I didn't push it other than driving out of the dealership and managing to get some wheelspin oops.
5. It had the lunar silver interior which looks fantastic, however, I would have reservations as this one already had a few marks that no doubt would clean off but I think you would need to be on top of this to keep it clean and a definate no no if you have kids. I took a picture of it below but like all the other photos it was on a camera phone so not the best.
6. Didn't really judge the engine note of this one as it didn't have the sports exhaust but after hearing the car at Millbrook when the pro drivers took off to drive us round the short handling circuit I know how it sounds but it was nice to hear the V8 rumble again.
7. Mid range pick up was better than the RS3 which always seems to change down one less gear than it should. Off the line I don't think there would be alot in it to be honest.
8. The tech pack has been updated since I had the RS5's and is now better including the fact you don't have to select dynamic mode to put the gearbox into sports mode, it can be done by just flicking down the gearlever and off you go.
Anyway I could go on all night, needless to say I liked it, but now I'm in discussion with the dealer around specs, prices etc to see if there is a deal to be done. I will update you all to the outcome.
