Audi introduced the four-door coupe in the mid-size premium segment in 2009 and caught everyone its principal competitors by surprise.
The four-rings brand dared to unveil a new range in 2009 when the world struggled with a global financial crisis. But Audi played that well and offered a different bodywork for the Audi A4 platform. It was a bold move that proved successful and, four years later, its main competitors came to challenge it.

Audi built both models, the A5 and the A5 Sportback, on the same platform used by the A4 as well. At the front, it featured the same front fascia as its two-door coupe sibling, while the fastback bodywork resembled the one used on the legendary Audi Coupe Quattro from the late ’70s and early ’90s. It was not as tall as an Audi A4 and, due to its flowing lines and sloped rear windscreen, it looked much sportier.

Inside, the carmaker installed a similar interior like in the A5 coupe, but with rear doors and a much bigger trunk, thanks to its hatchback styling. The center stack was tilted toward the driver’s seat and formed, together with the tall center stack, an individual area, like in a sports car. Its bench was profiled for two in the back, while the seatback was split-folding, allowing the trunk to be increased from 480 liters (16.9 cu-ft) to 980 liters (34.6 cu-ft).

Under the streamlined bodywork, Audi installed a huge engine range, gasoline or turbo-diesel ranging from 136 hp up to 265 hp, with front or all-wheel-drive (Quattro) systems, with manual or automatic transmission.