• More diesel choice than petrol
• Economic engines plus fast ones too
• Quattro an option on larger units

There’s a good choice of engines available so Audi A5 Coupe performance inevitably depends on the model.

Petrol engines

The entry level offering is the 1.8T FSI which offers impressive pace considering its relatively small size thanks to a turbocharger. It delivers 170hp along with a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds and it is a joy to drive with a smooth yet eager nature. It does sometimes have to be worked hard to get the best from it, but it’s happy pottering around town and will average 40mpg.

This engine was only on sale for a very short period of time from November 2007 until June 2008 before being replaced by a more powerful (and more economical) 2.0 TFSI which is even more impressive thanks to a 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds and fuel economy of 43mpg (a 180hp version of this engine is also available which although slightly slower is available with an eight-speed Multitronic gearbox).

In 2009 a start-stop system was added to this engine. It cuts the engine when the car is stationary (and out of gear) and then automatically restarts it when required. This lowered emissions and boosted economy to 44mpg. The 3.2 FSI V6 engine with 265hp suits the A5 well – it’s quick and characterful making it enjoyable to use, plus it sounds delightful. The other petrol is the thundering 4.2-litre V8 that comes in the Audi S5.

Diesel engines

The diesels are equally as good, particularly the 3.0 TDI which makes light work of motorways and returns 39mpg plus has the ability to sprint from 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds – quick enough to embarrass plenty of hot hatches.

The other diesel is a 2.7 TDI unit – it’s only available with a seven-speed automatic gearbox (badged Multitronic, but nicknamed Multitrauma in the trade) but still manages to be the most economical, averaging 44mpg. In early 2009 a frugal 2.0 TDI was introduced – the 170bhp common rail engine (shared with the A4 and TT among others) is smooth and sprints from 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds while returning an impressive 53mpg.

Ultra efficient diesel

New for 2014 was the 161bhp Ultra diesel engine, which promises smaller bills with no impact on performance. This produces 109g/km of CO2, and up to 67.3mpg on a combined cycle, says Audi.

Peak power comes at 3,000rpm and torque has been boosted to 400Nm, making the 0-62mph time slightly faster, at 8.3 seconds. The updated engine put the A5 Coupe in road tax band B, with benefit-in-kind liabilities of 16% when new.

What’s it like to drive?

The A5 doesn’t quite impress on the road in the same way the BMW 3 Series Coupe does. That said it is still a well-balanced car with meaty steering and precise turn in at corners. The four-wheel drive quattro system (standard on the 3.0 TDI and available on the 2.0 TFSI, 2.0 TDI and 3.2 FSI) offers superb traction out of corners but sadly the steering is lacking slightly in feedback – although it is well-weighted.

It’s a comfortable car though and makes a superb grand tourer – bodyroll is kept well under control and it feels planted to the road.