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Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices

Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet spec, tech and prices
New three-model Audi A5 Cabriolet line-up coming to Ireland in Q1 2017.

What's the news?

A predictable but understandable development of the all-new, second-generation Audi A5 family here, as the German company whips the top off to give us the glamorous A5 and S5 Cabriolet models. These premium convertibles will hit dealerships across Europe in March 2017.

Exterior

For all the fixed parts of the bodywork, the Cabriolet is in essence the same car as the A5 Coupe. Thus, we turn our attention to a few of the dimensions, its structural reinforcements and the roof. The soft-top A5 has grown by 47mm compared to its predecessor, at 4,673mm long overall, with the wheelbase stretching 14mm as a result. Bracing in the body and reinforced sills make up for the loss of a fixed roof in terms of torsional stiffness, the new Cabriolet being 40 per cent more rigid than the old model - but it's also up to 40kg lighter too, the front-wheel drive 2.0-litre diesel model weighing in at just 1,690kg; not bad for a four-seat convertible of this size.

Eschewing the folding hard-top option, Audi has stuck with a fabric, acoustic roof for the A5 Cabriolet and it can be opened or closed on the move at speeds of up to 50km/h. It takes slightly longer to close the hood, at 18 seconds, compared to the 15-second opening process, while Audi has made the button controlling the folding process into a one-touch item, meaning a quick pull of the toggle is enough to get the car fully open to/protected from the elements.

Audi has focused on safety with the Cabriolet by fitting head-thorax side airbags and automatically deploying aluminium rollover hoops to help prevent occupants from getting hurt in the unlikely event the car flips, while the high-level brake light at the rear is integrated into the surrounding trim strip of the hood compartment cover. The sportier S5 model is distinguished by its quad exhaust pipes, lower bodykit, large alloys and subtle S-badging on the exterior.

Mechanicals

There are three engines for the A5 Cabriolet at launch, although here in Ireland we're not getting the 252hp 2.0 TFSI petrol. That means, intriguingly enough, that our entire launch range of regular A5 soft-tops is diesel. Pick from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI with 190hp or a 3.0-litre V6 chocking out a healthy 218hp, with 4.5 litres/100km (62.8mpg) and 118g/km CO2 or 4.9 litres/100km (57.6mpg) and 128g/km respectively. These figures mean Audi claims the new A5 Cabriolet is up to 17 per cent more powerful than its predecessor and 22 per cent more efficient to boot.

Audi Ireland suggests a more powerful 3.0 V6 TDI, rated at 286hp, and our first A5 Cabrio petrol - a 190hp version of the TFSI unit we're not getting at launch - should follow soon after the initial wave of cars. Transmissions throughout the range are the six-speed manual, a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox or an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic. Drive goes either to the front wheels alone or to all four, with two versions of Audi's quattro AWD offered: the normal, full-time set-up or the fuel saving 'ultra' version, which can decouple the rear axle at will.

There is, of course, one petrol version from launch but it's not an A5. The hot S5 Cabriolet stands almost as a model alone, generating a fulsome 354hp from its 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine. Courtesy of quattro permanent AWD and the Tiptronic 'box as standard, that equates to a 0-100km/h time of just 5.1 seconds and a 250km/h limited top speed.

Anything else?

As the A5 Coupé begins at €47,510 in Ireland and the Cabriolet will inevitably carry a premium over its hard-topped sibling, then it's extremely likely that the Audi A5 soft-top will start somewhere in excess of 50 grand. Exact prices and specifications for Ireland will be confirmed before 2016 is out.

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Published on November 4, 2016