Audi Blurs Lines With the New A5 Sportback

Over the course of the past few years, the Germans have managed to blur the lines between traditional market segments with extraordinary zeal. Recent examples include the Mercedes-Benz CLS four-door coupe, the BMW X6 "sports-activity coupe" and the new 5-Series Gran Turismo hatchback/wagon...but this is the latest. Called the Audi A5 Sportback, the vehicle takes the company's A5 coupe, adds two extra doors and gives it a hatchback-style tail-gate instead of a trunk, thereby smudging the distinction between coupe, sedan, wagon and hatchback.

In case that's not confusing enough, Audi is launching the new A5 Sportback in Europe with no less than six engine options and is adding three more by next year. There are four- and six-cylinder engines of various sizes and outputs burning either gasoline or diesel. Some are available with fuel-economizing start-stop systems, while quattro all-wheel-drive is a trademark Audi option. Sales begin overseas in September, however this particular model is not expected to be offered in the North American market.