New Audi A5 Cabriolet let’s the sun shine in
Spring may still be a few months away, but that hasn’t stopped Audi from releasing a drop-top version of its A5 Coupé. The glamorous newcomer augments the coupé and Sportback tintops released earlier this year, and is offered in a choice of five variants.
Four of those are powered by Audi’s four-cylinder, 2,0-litre TFSI turbo engine (in two states of tune) already employed across its A4 and A5 range, while the flagship S5 version gets a 3,0-litre V6 turbo mill – and a seven-digit price tag.
While still not as striking as the coupé, the new A5 Cabriolet does manage to replicate some of its hardtop stablemate’s athletic aesthetics, thanks to a keener profile, sloping rear and short overhangs. Even so, the newcomer is longer, with an extended wheelbase to match, resulting in a more spacious cabin.
Audi has stuck to the traditional canvas hood, rather than an all-metal affair, presumably because it’s lighter and less complex. The hood opens in just 15 seconds a the push of a button, while closing it takes 3 sec longer. It can be opened or closed on the move at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
Sharing the same platform as the new A5 and the current A4 sedan, the A5 Cabriolet is both lighter and stiffer than its predecessor, benefiting ride refinement and handling. The all-new five-link rear suspension continues that theme, while adaptive damping is an optional extra.
Given our experience of the new A5, the open-topper’s road manners should be exemplary, with a slight bias towards sporty firmness. The electro-mechanical steering, which impressed with its heft and feedback in the coupé, will hopefully feel as responsive in this iteration, too.
As mentioned, the A5 Cabriolet’s drivetrain options embrace two version of Audi’s ubiquitous 2,0-litre TFSI engine. The first is the 140 kW 2,0-litre TFSI Ultra mill aimed at offering both zest and efficiency. Front-wheel drive is standard, as is the S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox.
For those with a greater appetite for performance, the A5 Cabriolet can also be had with a 185 kW version of the 2,0-litre engine, linked to quattro all-wheel drive, and the same S-tronic transmission.
The flagship S5 Cabriolet’s 3,0-litre V6 turbo has 260 kW on tap, and is coupled with an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox, as well as quattro all-wheel drive. Apparently, a turbodiesel model is also on the cards, but will only be released later.
Predictably, the A5 Cabriolet offers buyers a high level of comfort, convenience and safety equipment across the board that mirrors the features list of the coupé models. The 2,0-litre TFSI models can be ordered in standard and upgraded Sport versions, with the latter gaining bigger wheels, sport seats and sharper exterior detailing.
Equally predictably, the list of options is even longer, and includes the likes of Audi’s user-configurable virtual cockpit, satnav, upgraded sound systems, extended safety features, and more.
Pricing is as follows:
Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0T FSI S-tronic R689 000
Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0T FSI S-tronic Sport R723 000
Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0T FSI quattro S-tronic R823 500
Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0T FSI quattro S-tronic Sport R857 500
Audi S5 Cabriolet 3.0T FSI quattro tiptronic: R1 028 000
Submit a Comment