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The technical specifications for Audi's new A5 coupes have been released, shortly before the models are due to be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Salon. The A5 starts with a 2.7 TDI with an 8 step CVT transmission and front wheel drive, and progresses through to the storming S5 with a 4.2 litre V8 similar to the one found in the mighty Audi RS4. Two diesel engines are on offer, as well as 3 petrol engines. The range will be expanded soon with the addition of a 1.8 litre four pot direct injection petrol engine.

Starting at the top, the Audi S5 sports 18 inch wheels and permanent all wheel drive. The 90 degree V8 has twin overhead camshafts per bank and 4 valves per cylinder. Running off an 11.0:1 compression ratio, the direct petrol injection engine offers power of 354 PS (349 bhp, 260 kW) at 7000 rpm and 440 Nm (325 lbft) of torque at 3500 rpm. With the same undersquare 84.5mm x 92.8 bore x stroke as the Audi RS4, the 4163 cc engine is slightly less powerful but also slightly more torquey than the RS4 motor. In the RS4 is produces 420 PS (414 bhp, 309 kW) and 430 (317 lbft) Nm. The S5 version seems to have been tuned for better tractability and more relaxed cruising. The S5 is also marginally heavier than the RS4 (1650 kg versus 1630 kg). The acceleration figures bear these 2 small differences in specification out, as 2007-03-09: Correction, the S5 is slightly lighter than the RS4, 1630 kg vs 1650 kg. - Ed. The S5 takes 0.3 seconds longer for the 0-100 km/h sprint than the RS4, at 5.1 seconds (the RS4 takes a claimed 4.8 seconds). The S5 does score in economy and CO₂ emissions though, with a combined CO₂ output of 298 g/km, compared to the RS4's 329 CO₂ g/km. Audi have released the S5 with a six speed manual gearbox, and there is no indication at present that any other option will be available for it.

The A5 range has a new 3.2 litre direct petrol injection V6, available with or without Audi's quattro all wheel drive system. The Audi A5 3.2 FSI quattro is equipped with a six speed manual gearbox, whilst the front wheel drive Audi A5 3.2 FSI has an eight step CVT transmission. Both of these Audi A5 models offer 265 PS (195 kW, 261 bhp) at 6500 rpm and 330 Nm (243 lbft) at 3000-5000 rpm. The front wheel drive 3.2 A5 weighs in at 1495 kg, and the quattro version just 40 kg more, at 1535 kg. They are both capable of an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.

The two diesel versions of the Audi A5 on offer at launch are both V6s, one of 2.7 litres capacity, and the other 3.0 litres. The Audi A5 2.7 TDI produces 190 PS (139 kW, 187 bhp) from 3500 to 4000 rpm, with torque figures of 400 Nm (295 lbft) from 1400-3250 rpm. With front wheel drive and the 8 step CVT gearbox, the 1575 kg A5 2.7 TDI is good for a claimed 7.6 second sprint from 0 to 100 km/h and a 232 km/h top speed. It's the most economical A5 at launch too, with stated consumption of 6.7 litres per 100 km in the combined cycle.

The Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro gains 8.3 mm in stroke, to take it from the 2.7 litre's 83.1 mm to 91.4 mm, both versions sharing an 83.0 mm bore. The resulting extra 269 cc (2698 cc and 2967 cc respectively) helps lift the power output to 239 PS (176 kW, 236 bhp) from 4000 to 4400 rpm and torque to 500 Nm (369 lbft) at 1500 to 3000 rpm. As with the petrol engines, the quattro version is fitted with a 6 speed manual gearbox. With the extra power and a manual gearbox, the 0-100 km/h sprint time falls to 5.9 seconds, and the top speed rises to 250 km/h (both manufacturer's claimed figures).