A new,more fuel-efficient base engine highlights 2010 model year changes for the Audi A5?a compact sports car that?s available as a coup? or cabriolet. It?s also available in a ?Sportback? configuration in Europe,South America,Japan,Mexico,Australia,and New Zealand. Audi positions the A5 as a sportier version of the A4.

Standard on the coup? version are 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch wheels optional),fog lamps,sunroof,heated exterior mirrors,electronic parking brake,leather-wrapped steering wheel,and a 10-speaker,six-disc CD system with satellite radio. The cabriolet has a power retractable soft top and a wind blocker. The Premium Plus trim level includes a long list of upgrades,and S Line variants have various sport options with special interior and exterior trims. Trunk space is 13.5 cu. ft. for the coup? and 11.4. cu. ft. in the cabriolet with the top down.

The A5 employs Audi?s Quattro all-wheel drive system. Standard equipment for the A5 coup? and cabriolet is a new turbocharged 2.0-liter,four-cylinder engine that makes 211 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Optional is a direct-injected 3.2-liter V6 engine that produces 265 hp and 243 lb.-ft. of torque. The four-cylinder engine comes with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with manual shift control,while the V6 engine offers only automatic shift capability.

EPA fuel economy estimates are 22 mpg city,30 mpg highway,and 25 mpg combined for the manual transmission,and 21/27/23 mpg for the automatic. The V6 engine gets 18 mpg city,27 mpg highway,and 21 mpg combined.

Standard safety features include antilock brakes (with brake assist),stability control,front-seat side airbags,and side curtain airbags.

When first introduced,the 2010 Audi A5 started at about $42,000.