The design was based on the Nuvolari quattro concept car. The A5 and the S5 Coupé were unveiled simultaneously at the Salon International de l’Auto (Geneva)[5] and Melbourne International Motor Shows on March 6, 2007.

Ordering of the A5 and S5 began on March 6, 2007 and the first deliveries were made in June 2007.[6] Launch models included 3.2 FSI V6 engine multitronic and 3.0 TDI quattro 6-speed,[7] with 1.8 TFSI available in autumn 2007.

Early U.S. models included the A5 3.2 FSI Quattro and the S5 coupé 4.2 FSI Quattro. Both included either a six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The S5 model went on sale in November 2007, equipped only with a manual transmission, while the A5 and the Tiptronic went on sale beginning of spring 2008.[8]

The A5 went on sale in Canada in 2008, which included A5 3.2 FSI with choice of six speed manual or six speed Tiptronic transmission. Since 2011, only the 2.0 L Turbo engines are available for the A5 in Canada.[9] In 2013 Audi introduced the new A5 Black Edition.