An adaptive audio system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The audio system is operable to retrieve a music item from a storage device, classify the music item in a predefined music category the basis of a determined audio profile, select a category from a plurality of predefined music categories on the basis of a current driving behavior of the driver, and output a music item included in the selected category via an output device. The driving behavior of the driver is understood to mean the mode or style in which the driver drives.