Used 2013 Audi A5

The 2013 Audi A5 is one of the last great luxury-performance coupes, big enough on the inside to comfortably fit two adults, but sophisticated enough on the outside to convey a sense of style and exclusivity you won’t get from a Mustang or Camaro. Sportier versions include the supercharged S5 and the lightning-quick RS 5 complete with a 4.2-liter V8 producing 450 horsepower. For those who prefer the open air, both the A5, S5 and RS 5 also come in convertible trim known as the Cabriolet. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) permits year-round traction in foul weather, something many coupes and convertibles can’t deliver.

Audi has led luxury automakers in the utilization of weight-saving aluminum chassis structures, and that pays huge dividends in how the 2013 A5 performs on the road. The A5 Coupe offers terrific balance above all else, with excellent poise and a comfortable ride in just about any reasonable situation. The S5 Coupe, meanwhile, delivers blistering speed and over-the-road competence, courtesy of its all-new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine and the quattro AWD system. Even with its remarkable power, the S5 Coupe can easily and precisely be manipulated through your favorite corners, and you don’t have to be an expert driver with a racing background to appreciate its handling prowess and refinement.

There are plenty of attributes that help define the A5 line as a viable alternative to, for example, the BMW 3 Series, but the A5’s interior shines as one of the most important. Front occupants are treated to leather seats that offer excellent support without sacrificing accessibility, and the driver-oriented gauge cluster and center-stack help lend the cabin a sporty feel. The S5, meanwhile, goes even further with a spread of Nappa leather and a variety of unique dash inlays. Buyers may choose among carbon fiber, brushed aluminum, stainless steel or gray birch.

Audi has done an excellent job of crafting a corporate design language that doesn’t feel forced or overbearing, and the 2013 A5 Coupe is a perfect poster child for the company’s efforts. Audi’s trademark single-frame grille, LED accent lighting, finely tailored sheetmetal, expressive fenders and sleek profile give the A5 an undeniable distinction. For 2013, buyers may choose to equip the A5 with S line exterior treatments that include more expressive front and rear bumpers, side skirts, doorsills and badges.

3.0-LITER SUPERCHARGED V6
Although the naturally aspirated V8 in last year’s S5 Coupe produced marginally more horsepower, this year’s supercharged 3.0-liter V6 in the S5 delivers just as much torque and at a lower engine speed, making it just as usable in most driving situations. In addition, the V6 is also vastly more fuel-efficient.

S TRONIC DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION
With the precision of a manual and the convenience of an automatic, the dual-clutch transmission, which is standard on the S5, is a significant advancement in delivering the power to the wheels and embellishes the S5’s capability for easily and efficiently putting pavement in the rearview mirrors.

In examining the list of standard equipment of the 2013 Audi A5, it’s tempting to ask the question: What more could anyone want? The A5 Coupe’s Premium trim level includes 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seating surfaces, automatic climate control, Audi concert radio (with 10 speakers, Sirius satellite radio and 180 watts), power front seats with driver memory, a panorama sunroof and auto-dimming mirrors. On the S5, the standard trim level is called Premium Plus and includes 19-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth touch-free interface, sport seats covered in Silk Nappa leather, sport suspension and 3-zone automatic climate control.

For 2013, the Audi A5 is now available with an optional Convenience Package that offers Bluetooth, HomeLink and Audi Music Interface with an iPod cable. The A5 Premium package includes power front seats with a driver memory function and auto-dimming mirrors. Additionally, navigation is now a stand-alone option, which many buyers may appreciate. Audi Connect allows searches using Google Earth providing realistic terrain imagery, as well as the ability to send destinations from any browser directly to the car.

As a base powerplant, Audi’s superb 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged 4-cylinder is almost perfect for the application, with adequate (211) horsepower and an ample (258 lb-ft) level of torque. The 3.0-liter supercharged V6 may be the sweet spot (available only in the S5 Cabriolet), with horsepower – 333 – close to that of the Coupe’s V8, yet in a more efficient package. The RS 5’s 4.2-liter V8 may seem old school but, behind the wheel of a car with 450 horsepower, who cares?

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
211 horsepower @ 4,300 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg (AWD, manual), 20/30 mpg (AWD, automatic), 24/31 mpg (front-wheel drive, automatic)

3.0-liter supercharged V6
333 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 2,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/26 mpg (manual), 18/28 mpg (S-Tronic automatic)

4.2-liter V8
450 horsepower @ 8,250 rpm
317 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/23 mpg (automatic)