With the new 2010 Audi A5/S5 on the horizon, most of the headlines are talking about the high performance S5. While the S5 is definitely a personal fav, the new 2.0T A5 is looking like the “recession special.” With prices starting at a wallet friendly $36K, you’ll be able to pickup an AWD coupe that offers the performance, luxury, and style that has forced BMW and Mercedes to share das uber spotlight.

Both Audi and VW got plenty of use out of the 2.0T block. It’s pushed the GTI into Car and Driver’s Top 10 list every year since the MkV’s Debut in 2006. While the A5 will, without a doubt, be heavier than the GTI and the TT, APR has got your back. For $700 you can stretch that 207ft-lbs of torque delivered by the 2.0T into 291 with 91 octane. This simple ECU upgrade takes about 30 minutes and aside from giving you an almost 50% increase in torque, it will also give you a more aggressive throttle response to boot. Not satisfied? You can pick up an additional 35-45hp from a methanol injection kit for $300-$400, giving you a total of 300+ ft-lbs of torque and ~300hp. Not bad for a $1,000 upgrade (about half the cost of the factory in-dash nav).

Why not a 3335i?
Many will say, “well you can just pick up a 335i for just $5K more and get a huge increase in power.” Well, there is no doubt there. The 335i is a beast. It’s quick off the showroom floor, but once you’ve given it a little love from Dinan or Active Autowerke, you are looking at a RWD car with 421ft-lbs of torque and excellent handling. The 35′s Twin-turbo 6 is nothing short of breathtaking.

Still the 335 is not for everyone. The A5 is more comfortable and the interior is far superior to its German counterpart. Getting inside a 335 does not get you hot and bothered. If a convertible is what you are looking for, the 335′s trunk space is a joke with the top down. That’s a necessary evil when dealing with 90% of the hardtop convertibles out there. The VW Eos is able to get around this with it’s thoughtful hard top design. The A5 Cabriolet sports a trunk-space-friendly soft top, so golf bags, groceries, or luggage shouldn’t be a problem.

Then there is the transmission issue. The 335 has not joined it’s big brother, the M3, with a dual shift gearbox, so if you are thinking about picking up the automatic, forget it. It will leave a bad taste in your mouth. The A5 however, does have the dual shift gearbox that is on many of the VW/Audi Models. With it’s lightning shifts, it gives your opponent in the car next to you the impression that you’ve got a car with just one gear. If your commute includes traffic, you can pop it into auto, plug in your iphone, roll up your windows, set your climate control to a comfy 75 and enjoy your happy place.

The Verdict
If you’ve got an extra $5K lying around and all you care about is your butt dyno, then pick up a BMW 335i and enjoy. It’s performance out of the gate and huge tuning potential makes this the obvious choice for someone looking to squeeze out the most horsepower possible. However, the A5 is perhaps a jack of all trades, but master of none. It delivers performance, comfort, luxury, an eye catching design, and convenience while coming in at a price significantly lower than it’s counterpart.

Photo credit: Autoblog.com