German Car Zone

(gulp!)






The Audi bandwagon moves on and its latest model is the new A5 Cabriolet. At one end of the scale you can have it with a goody-two-shoes 2.0-litre TDI (complete with stop/start technology), and at the other end is the rather rapid S5 tested here.

In the switch from Coupe to Cabriolet, the S5 has ditched the 4.2-litre V8 for a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 – like its S4 saloon sibling. So while the bhp figure might be down (from 349 to 328bhp) and torque figure up by a single digit to 325lb ft, that twisting force is now spread from 2900rpm to 5300rpm, rather than peaking at 3500rpm. The fuel consumption figure is also improved (26.2 to 29.1mpg), and for those of you that care about driving, you’ll be pleased to know that the S5 Cabriolet can be had with an active rear differential to mete out that torque more cleanly.

I quite like the Audi A5 Coupe – how does the A5 Cabriolet look with its chopped top?


Rather good. Yes, to some the front grille will be too fussy, too in-your-face, but overall the A5 is stylish and handsome. The S5’s bigger front and rear bumpers, platinum-effect grille, quad exhausts and aluminium-effect door mirrors manage to remain fairly subtle. And the silver windscreen surround works well, taking your eye off the big black section of fabric at the back.

In the switch from coupe to cab none of the sleekness of the A5 has been lost. But to these eyes it looks best with the roof stowed away, with the same clean, crisp and uncluttered lines that helped make the A4 Cabriolet look so smart to a certain strata of society.


Full Story: CAR MAGAZINE - First Drives: Audi S5 Cabriolet


I think I'm in love. This is one of the rare German cars that is actually beautiful, not just merely good looking or handsome.


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