HERNDON, Va., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Audi A5 and A6 vehicles were recognized today by the Motorist Choice Awards, the 5th annual automotive awards based on active consumers in the marketplace. The result of more than 42,000 consumer surveys, the Motorist Choice Awards crowned the Audi A5 as the Best "Sexy Styling" Vehicle from a Premium Brand and the Audi A6 as the Best "Country Club" Vehicle from a Premium Brand.

"Many auto enthusiasts are passionate for Audi's attractive and sleek, sexy designs. The Audi A5 definitely turned heads for its great style," said George Peterson, President of AutoPacific. "The Audi A6, chosen as the Best 'Country Club' vehicle, was shown to truly represent its owners - well-to-do, educated, financially savvy and frequent travelers."

The award-winning Audi A5 coupe features a sophisticated, yet striking design that commands road presence. An elegantly appointed, driver-oriented cockpit combined with standard quattro® all-wheel drive, an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, and an incredibly powerful yet efficient engine, makes the A5 is a true driver's sports car.

With one of the most luxurious interiors available, according to U.S. News and World Report, the Audi A6 combines exceptional performance with an unmatched driving experience. The elegant design of the A6 is defined by iconic touches such as the unique Singleframe® grille, striking LED daytime running lights and taillights, optional entertainment choices such as the BOSE® Surround Sound system, industry-leading safety features and the convenience of HomeLink® and Bluetooth®.

This year's Motorist Choice Awards went beyond editorial reviews and performance test data to address the wants and needs of today's motorists, like total cost of ownership, driving experience, fuel economy and resale value. The awards included 15 new areas in which buyers might categorize their potential purchases, also including Best Cargo Hauler and Best Value Car. The exhaustive national value data and consumer lifestyle studies were performed by the consumer automotive analyst IntelliChoice and automotive market research firm AutoPacific.

For more information, please visit www.audiusa.com. High-resolution images of the 2010 Audi A5 and A6 are available to registered media at www.audiusanews.com.

ABOUT AUDI

Audi of America, Inc. and its 272 U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2009 Audi outsold all other luxury brands in Europe, while in the U.S. market Audi posted the largest market share gain of any luxury automotive brand. Over the next few years, AUDI AG expects to spend nearly $2 billion annually on new products and technology. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

ABOUT INTELLICHOICE

IntelliChoice, part of the Motor Trend Auto Group is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car values analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com web site consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price new cars. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide. Motor Trend Auto Group is a subsidiary of Source Interlink Media, a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.

ABOUT AUTOPACIFIC

AutoPacific is a future-oriented automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. Every year AutoPacific publishes a wide variety of syndicated studies on the automotive industry. The firm also conducts extensive proprietary research and consulting for auto manufacturers, distributors, marketers and suppliers worldwide. Company headquarters and its state-of-the-art automotive research facility are in Tustin, California, with an affiliate office in the Detroit area. Since 1986, AutoPacific has provided innovative, methodologically sound, strongly implemented research in addition to expert automotive analysis. AutoPacific is nationally known for its annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards and Ideal Vehicle Awards. Additional information can be found on AutoPacific's websites: www.autopacific.com and www.vehiclevoice.com.

SOURCE Audi of America, Inc.