What’s behind a tagline? Audi’s says, “Truth in Engineering,” and in the case of the 2011 Audi A5 2.0T, the substance of that tagline manifests in a coupe that combines exciting performance, sumptuous luxury, all-season handling and high fuel efficiency into one package.

 

If you were designing your own state-of-the-art luxury/performance coupe, you’d probably want a design that looks great today and would still turn heads as the years went by. That’s a real challenge for designers, but if you look at Audi designs from the past, you can see how this brand has achieved that goal.

 

In a state of the art coupe, you’d want performance that can be both exciting yet accessible in everyday driving; the A5 2.0T’s zero to 60 mph acceleration in 6.4 seconds plus its wallop of midrange torque would certainly fit the bill. But what happens when the road turns slippery or, if you demand the handling advantage only traction at four wheels can offer? Audi’s renowned quattro® all-wheel drive is standard on the A5 coupe.

 

Add these features together, and perhaps the last thing you’d expect would be 31-mpg highway fuel economy. That’s exactly the combination the 2011 Audi A5 2.0T coupe delivers, and that competitors don’t.

 

A beautiful coupe creates an emotional tug that fires our imaginations. We envision driving along that perfect road, with no traffic. The engine is revving and the stereo plays our favorite songs. There’s no other demand on our time except to enjoy it. Those circumstances might not come together often enough, but when they do, you want a car that lives up to the dream.

 

With its responsive powertrain and chassis engineering inspired by racing experience, the Audi A5 puts joy into any curvy road, even if it’s only an exit ramp. The 2011 A5 (MSRP: $36,900)  offers the choice between a precise six-speed manual transmission and an available new Tiptronic® eight-speed automatic. The manual is a delight, with precise shifter feel and clutch takeup. The combination of eight ratios and seamless shift performance make the advanced automatic transmission an ideal performance partner, as well.

 

Whichever transmission you prefer, the standard quattro system gives the feel of a rear-wheel drive sport coupe but with the traction of all-wheel drive. That’s thanks to the system sending 60 percent of the torque to the rear wheels, altering the torque split in response to wheel slippage at either end of the car.

 

The A5 offers the intimate feel you want in a coupe, yet with good visibility, plenty of room and easy-to-reach controls. The ergonomics will impress, but it’s the look and feel of the finishes that leave no doubt about the A5’s luxury mission.

 

Leather seating, eight way power front seat, a power sunroof, 10-speaker Audi concert audio system with SIRIUS® Satellite Radio all are standard in the 2011 A5 coupe. In contrast, the BMW 328i xDrive all-wheel drive coupe starts at an MSRP of $39,550 and yet charges extra for a sunroof, leather seating and Satellite radio. That BMW model also charges extra for 18-inch alloy wheels, which come standard on the 2011 Audi A5 2.0T. The A5’s impressive value story is made even more so by its once again winning a Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value award.

 

As in other Audi models, you can raise the A5’s luxury quotient with the Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels, both of which also offer the option of wonderfully soft Milano leather seating. For an even sharper driving experience, these two levels offer the Sport and Titanium Sport Packages with 19-inch alloy wheels, specially tuned suspension, paddle shifters for the Tiptronic automatic transmission (if equipped), summer tires and sport seats.

 

The “Titanium” gives the A5 a particularly striking appearance, as well, with black window trim, titanium-finish wheels and a black grille. A Piano Black inlay and black headliner complete the look inside.

 

At the top of the line, the A5 2.0T Prestige level offers the available Audi Drive Select system, which allows the driver to tailor the car’s performance responses by adjusting the Dynamic Steering and Adaptive Damping systems, as well as throttle and Tiptronic transmission responses. The S-Line Package, exclusively available for the Prestige, combines the performance of the Sport Package with unique brushed aluminum interior trim and leather sports seats with Alcantara® inserts.

 

If you’ve been waiting for a luxury coupe that truly blends stunning design with exciting performance and everyday comfort – plus surprising fuel efficiency – the 2011 Audi A5 awaits your test-drive.