New Audi A5 Cabriolet lifts lid for 2017 launch
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4 Nov, 2016 8:15am Steve Walker- google+
Audi has treated us to official pictures and details on the new Audi A5 Cabriolet, here’s everything you need to know…
The new Audi A5 family is officially complete. The Audi A5 Cabriolet has been revealed ahead of its public debut at the LA Motor Show and a UK release date in 2017. We’ve already got to grips with the new A5 Coupe and Sportback 5-door, now the open top version is here in A5 and sporty S5 guises.
The design of the elegant convertible follows predictable Audi themes with the strong shoulder line and steeply raked rear window angle lifted from the Coupe, along with Audi’s trademark grille and the latest signature LED headlamps. Short front and rear overhangs give it a sporty stance while maximising space in the four-seat interior. At 4,673mm long, the new Audi A5 Cabriolet is 47mm longer than the previous model.
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The standard soft-top acoustic roof can fold automatically at the pull of one switch in 15 seconds. If the heavens open, it’ll take 18 seconds to close again but either operation can be performed at speeds of up to 31mph. Rollover hoops and side airbags, with automatically extending aluminium profiles, have been developed for the convertible to boost safety.
Audi A5 Cabriolet: chassis and engines
The A5 Cabriolet borrows the latest five-link independent suspension system from the A5 Coupe, with adaptive dampers available as an option to be incorporated into the Drive Select system. The same electromechanical power steering set-up is also carried over.
Changes are made over the coupe to compensate for the lack of rigidity that results from lopping off the fixed roof. Audi claims reinforced sills and additional bracing struts in the body help maintain a similar driving experience to the coupe. Despite this, the A5 Cabriolet is actually around 40kg lighter than the old car with the front-wheel-drive 2.0 TDi 190 tipping the scales at 1,690kg.
Speaking of engines, there are four set to be available from launch. The 249bhp 2.0 TFSI is the only petrol unit in the standard range but those looking for extra performance can step up to the S5 Cabriolet with its 3.0 litre TFSI unit packing 349bhp. It’s capable of a hat-loosening 0-62mph sprint of 5.1 seconds.
On the diesel side, there’s a 2.0 litre TDi with 187bhp or a 3.0 litre TDI with 215bhp. Audi says all of the A5 Cabriolet’s engines offer 17% more power while using 22% less fuel than the units in the old car, with the entry level 2.0 TDI managing 62.3mpg combined and emitting as little as 118g/km.
The 3.0 TDI claims 57.6mpg and 128g/km, while the 2.0 litre petrol claims 44.8mpg and emits 144g/km, and the flagship S5 also manages 36.6mpg combined and claims 175g/km of CO2. As usual, there are front-wheel-drive and quattro all-wheel-drive models with the S5 getting quattro and an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox as standard.
Audi A5 Cabriolet interior
The A5 Cabriolet is a bigger car in this generation and the extra length can be felt in the cabin where shoulder room in the front is up by 26mm and rear knee room is extended by 18mm. The boot has a decent capacity of 380 litres with the hood down, while the rear seat can split 50:50 and fold to increase capacity further. An automatic tailgate is now fitted as standard, too.
The design treatment inside will be familiar to A4 and A5 Coupe owners, as will Audi’s impressive standards of fit and finish. The Audi MMI infotainment system comes as standard with an 7inch monitor that can be upgraded to an 8.3inch unit. Audi’s TFT virtual cockpit display can replace the analogue instruments with the 12.3inch screen too.
Audi's usual suite of driver assistance systems feature, including adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous Traffic jam assist that operates up to 40mph. Collision avoidance assist, park assist, rear cross traffic assist and traffic sign recgnition systems are also available.
What do you think of the new Audi A5 Cabriolet? Let us know in the comments section below...
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