Audi S5 Cabriolet
Beautiful four-seater finally hits the road... Has it been worth the wait?
Audi's new A5 Cabriolet is a stunning machine. The flagship S5 boasts truly blistering performance, while the car features a well engineered hood with impressive noise cancelling and quick mechanism, able to be operated at up to 31mph. All of this makes the car a convertible for all seasons – qualities that make the model hard to ignore in this sector.
There's no doubt the new A5 cabriolet is the classiest convertible yet for the German maker.
Boasting the distinctive looks of the Coupe mixed with a high quality fabric hood it promises to be a winner in the desirability stakes.
Set to arrive on UK shores in time for summer, the range will initially feature two FSI direct injection petrol engines and one TDI diesel. The new S5, with its 3.0 supercharged V6 TFSI will follow in September.
The 2.0TFSI and 3.2FSI offer 208bhp and 261bhp respectively while the 3.0 TDI gives 236bhp both of which are good for sub eight second 0-60 times and top speeds over 145mph.
The 328bhp of the S5 allow it to scramble to 60mph in only 5.6 seconds and onto an electronically limited 155mph top speed.
We tried both S5 and 2.0TFSI quattro S-line models and while the latter doesn’t boast the fire breathing power of the sporting flagship, thanks to the 18inch five-spoke alloys, chrome accents, subtle bodykit and brushed aluminium interior trim it does at least look the part.
The sports suspension meant that although the ride feels firm on uneven surfaces the car handles extremely well. Body roll is almost non existent, especially with the three mode dynamicdrive system set for dynamic.
The supercharged V6, already praised in the S4 (issue 1036), is simply electrifying. With the roof-down you are better sited to hear that glorious exhaust note with the extra blip of the throttle when shifting through the seven speed S-Tronic gearbox.
Only some minor scuttle shake when attacking uneven surfaces blighted this model’s copybook.
Three specification levels will be available at the standard car’s May launch – Standard, SE and S-Line.
All include power-hood, alloy wheels, climate control and split-folding rear seats with solar-heat reflecting upholstery and neck heating systems available as options while, the S5 is available in only one trim level. As an elegant, four-seat convertible the new A5 Cabriolet is tough to beat.
