OUT IN 2009: AUDI A5 CABRIOLET

Audi is rejoining the two-door, four-seater topless brigade in 2009 when the German luxury car maker releases the new A5 Cabriolet. In line with its new naming strategy, Audi is getting rid of A4 Cabriolet and instead the A5 will carry future drop-tops. Surprisingly Audi has chosen a canvass top instead of the new trend of tin tops for the A5 range. In fact, indications are that Audi will be on its own in this way; the next Mercedes-Benz CLK Cabriolet will also have a hard roof, just like the current BMW 3 Series Convertible and Volvo C70. Audi says the A5 Cabriolet opens up to the sky in just 15 seconds, and closes in 17 seconds. Both these actions can be activated at up to 50 km/h.

The brand’s music partner Bang & Olufsen has come to the party once again, as an option in some versions. MMI, the system that helps control everything such as climate, music, satellite navigation etc, is still there.

A number of engines will be sold under the A5 Cabriolet, some of which are diesels. I don’t think we’ll be seeing any of these in Mzansi, but who knows. For now three variants could make their way to our borders. The lowest of them is a turbocharged 2.0-litre TFSI producing 155kW and 350Nm of torque, which is the same power as the upcoming Golf 6 GTI. The mid range will be a normally aspirated 3.2-litre V6 with an output of 195kW and 330Nm.

Audi will introduce the new 3.0-litre supercharged engine on the A5 range through the S5 Cabriolet. Replacing the current 4.2-litre V8, the new 3.0-litre makes a swift 245kW and 440Nm. It may be short on the V8’s 260kW but Audi promises it will be just as funky on the go, and probably quicker in the high altitude areas like Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Gearboxes employed to run the A5/ S5 Cabriolets are a 6-speed manual in the standard cars, then Multitronic and finally a new 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, an evolution of the Volkswagen Group’s brilliant DSG system. Audi calls its version S Tronic.

The Audi A5 and S5 will be seen live at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009. Hopefully by then Audi would have presented the manic RS4 at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2009.