AUDI RS 5 CABRIOLET IS OUT

The Audi RS 5 Cabriolet has been unveiled. Obviously based on the RS 5 Coupe, which itself is based on the A5 range, the drop top has come quite late in the car’s lifecycle. In fact, a brand new A5 range goes on sale in the next three years.

The choice here has been canvass for the roof, instead of the now-popular hard tops found in cars like the previous BMW M3 Convertible. Soft tops are lighter than their harder counterparts, but they also give more scuttle shake. This one is said to be capable of opening and closing in 15 and 17 seconds respectively through the push of a button. It’s operational at up to 50km/h too.

Audi is holding on to the tried and tested 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8, just as it has been used in the Coupe. The same type of power is available in the form of 331kW at 8250 rpm and 430Nm of torque between 4000rpm and 6000rpm. This is the 4.2’s last hurrah as it will be replaced by a turbocharged V8 in the nest instalment. Standard is the 7-speed double clutch S tronic gearbox that sends all power to all four wheels using the quattro AWD system. But the trick differential can send up to 85% of torque to the rear axle in certain circumstances (like after pushing the “fun” button).

Items that make this one special include 19-inch wheels (20s are optional), an aggro front grille with a honeycomb design, smooth LED lights, brushed aluminium side mirrors, side skirts, a boot lid spoiler, those two oval tailpipes that spell “RS” and an air diffuser.

Audi will unveil this car at the 2012 Paris International Motor Show later this month. South African  sales will commence early in 2013 in very limited numbers.