Few luxury car experiences can match the feeling of being behind the wheel of a large coupe. The graceful lines of a striking two-door automobile make a strong statement rolling down the boulevard, especially when augmented by the forceful styling cues present in the 2010 Audi A5. This monument to modern Audi is one of the most thought-provoking coupes currently available.

The 2010 Audi A5 (MSRP $36,000) comes off as a more menacing take on the graceful A4 sedan. Rather than simply subtract two doors from its popular cousin, Audi designers set to work sculpting a new shape that ultimately comes across as more fluid and muscular. This sense of strength is dramatically reinforced by the strong style line running the length of each side of the A5, as well as by the way the vehicle’s hood rises in the middle, accenting the rounded front fenders and aggressive forward fascia. The A5’s integrated rear deck spoiler finishes off the overall look quite nicely, further distancing it from its sedan origins. An available Cabriolet edition of the A5 adds a well-executed soft top and maintains the vehicle’s flattering proportions.

The 2010 Audi A5 Coupe and A5 Cabriolet are available in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels. The Premium includes all of the comfort equipment that has helped Audi stay at the head of the luxury pack: automatic climate control, leather seats, a glass-panel sunroof and Audi’s Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system, which provides integrated vehicle system controls. Moving up to Premium Plus spec adds Bluetooth capability, heaters for the front seats and three zones of climate control to ensure that all passengers are as comfortable as possible. On the outside, it also provides Xenon Plus headlights and LED accents over both the front and rear lenses. The exclusive Prestige edition of the A5 installs a number of finishing touches such as an auto-dimming rearview mirror, memory features for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors, the Navigation Plus system integrated with Audi’s MMI and voice controls to operate key vehicle functions. Opt for the Audi Drive Select Package and adjust suspension, steering and transmission characteristics to your customized driving specifications with up to 27 configurations.

The entry-level engine on the coupe – and the sole unit for the Cabriolet – is a turbocharged DOHC 2.0-liter four-cylinder with FSI^® Direct Injection that pushes out a healthy 211 hp and 258 lb/ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment on the Coupe while the drop-top gets the fixed-roof A5’s optional Tiptronic six-speed automatic as standard. The all-weather confidence of quattro^® all-wheel drive is also standard on the Coupe, and available on the otherwise front-wheel drive Cabriolet. Fuel economy for the four-cylinder engine is rated at 22 mpg city and 30 mpg on the highway. Audi also offers an FSI Direct Injected 3.2-liter V6 engine choice for drivers looking for a bit more power. Available exclusively on the Premium Plus and Prestige coupes, this motor offers 265 hp and 243 lb/ft of torque sent to all four wheels through the Tiptronic six-speed automatic. Fuel mileage for the larger engine shows as 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

The S5 edition of the coupe and convertible represent the ultimate in performance for this particular Audi offering. In addition to a far more aggressive exterior treatment when it comes to trim, wheels and aerodynamics, the S5 also provides a higher standard of interior comfort that is meant to reflect the vehicle’s sportscar aspirations. The most appealing part of the S5 package, however, is found under the hood. In the S5 Coupe, a 354-hp 4.2-liter FSI Direct Injection V8 engine lurks waiting to be discovered by speed-seeking drivers. Also capable of producing 325 lb/ft of torque, the S5 Coupe is the most potent midsize two-door offered by Audi. The S5 Cabriolet features a 3.0-liter V6 engine that is supercharged to provide 333 hp and torque numbers that match the coupe’s output. The S5 models share transmission options with the A5, and feature stiffer suspension systems that allow them to respond more accurately to inputs from behind the wheel and maintain greater adhesion to the road no matter how hard they are pushed. Quattro all-wheel drive is also standard.

The Audi A5 Coupe and Cabriolet, and their S5 cousins, are further proof that Audi’s design team has produced some of the finest luxury automobiles available on either side of the Atlantic.