What should I know?
Audi has 3 levels of sportiness, the A, S and RS which range from least to most sporty respectively. The standard A5 Cabriolet comes in different trims whereas the S5 Cabriolet and RS 5 Cabriolet are just as they are (with the exception of Special Editions).
The A5 Cabriolet is a large convertible which is up against the BMW 4 Series Convertible and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet. If a Mercedes-AMG E63 Cabriolet were to ever exist, it would be looking to compete with the RS 5 Cabriolet, but as it stands, BMW have got the M4 Convertible playing that game.
Interior
On standard SE trim, you get the Audi sound system speaker package which comprises 10 speakers, Audi Concert radio (with a single CD drive, an SDHC memory card reader, aux-in and a 6.5" colour display), DAB, Milano leather upholstery, split-folding rear seats, 3-stage heated front seats, a 3-spoke multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters for automatic versions, 3-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control, a front centre armrest with built-in 12V socket, a wind deflector, all-round electric windows, an electromechanical parking brake and electromechanical power steering. Equipment levels aren't what you'd call reserved then. But if that's not enough for you, S line will offer an 'S' steering wheel upgrade, a perforated leather gear knob, S line sill plates, front Sports seats in Nappa leather and the MMI Navigation System plus with 3D maps and European navigation data, 2 SD card readers, a single CD/DVD player, 40GB hardrive with Jukebox (20GB) and a 7" colour display. Top-of-the-range S line Special Edition Plus has iPod connectivity, head-level heating system, stainless steel pedals on automatic models only, 3-stage heated front and outer rear seats and a Bang & Olufsen 5.1 surround sound system with no less than 12 high-performance loudspeakers.
Exterior
Standard are 17" alloys, a fully automatic hood (which can be operated at speeds of up to 31 mph), electrically adjustable and heated side mirrors, chrome tailpipes (2 on the left-hand side for 4-cylinder diesel models, or one on each side for other models), light-sensitive headlights, rain-sensitive wipers, Audi parking system plus (front and rear parking sensors with visual and acoustic warnings), front and rear fog lights, halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights. The exterior upgrades that come with S line A5s are 18" alloys, Sports suspension, an acoustic hood, S line exterior styling package and LED rear lights. Finally, with S line Special Edition Plus, you get 19" alloys, an enhanced rear spoiler, a dynamic front bumper and some glossy black detailing.
S5 Cabriolet
In addition to base-model SE trim, you get 19" alloys, an 'S' Sports multi-function leather steering wheel, 'S' instrument dials, 'S' model enhanced braking system, fine Nappa leather upholstery, an acoustic hood, chrome rolled finish twin-left and twin-right tailpipes, some 'S' bodystyling, an S5 grille, LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights, and those all important S5 Super Sports seats with electric adjustment.
RS 5 Cabriolet
You get 19" alloys again, Audi drive select, a high-performance braking system developed by RS, quattro® permanent all-wheel-drive system with Sports differential, RS 5 sports suspension, excellent levels of safety and RS Super Sports seats finished in fine Nappa leather. Interior and exterior RS bodystyling can be found too, and rather than having quad exhaust, the RS 5 has two large oval tailpipes (one on each side) which helps give it a more aggressive look.
The RS 5 Cabriolet Limited Edition adds 20" alloys, a top speed restriction increase to 174 mph and bucket seats.
Customisation
There is a wide variety of body colours available as well as many options as regards upholstery, though options depend on which seats you go for. There are standard seats which have manual height and position adjustment, Sports seats with prominent side bolsters, extendable thigh support and electric 4-way lumbar support and manual adjustment. Additionally there are Climate comfort seats with perforated leather to allow better ventilation with a head-level heating system, electronic adjustments and a driver's seat memory function, and finally the S line Sports seats which are similar to the Sports seats but with S line embossing.
Packages and Options
The Technology package comes in at £1,695 and includes the MMI Navigation system plus (details to be seen above), iPod connectivity and Audi parking system advanced.
For £535 you can upgrade your audio system to the Bang & Olufsen surround sound system with 14 high-performance loudspeakers.
Bluetooth® is £175 and a 6 CD changer and DVD player is £305. For £825 though, you can get digital TV reception.
'Advanced key' is simply keyless entry and go for £470 and Homelink® is just £180.
Head-level heating system which is only an option for the front seats is a steal at £350 but the catch is you need to have Sports or Climate comfort seats.
The deletion of model and engine technology or just the engine technology at the rear are free.
For just £65 you can have Audi's hill-hold assist.
For £2,250 on the RS 5 Cabriolet the Sports package adds 20" alloys, Sports suspension plus Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), dynamic steering and Sports exhaust.
Engines
For the A5 Cabriolet, you can have a choice of 5 petrol or 5 diesel engines. They are:
A 1.8 TFSI 4-cylinder 1.8 litre 6-speed manual unit. The specs are 170 PS, 138 mph, 8.7 secs (0-62 mph), 143 g/km CO2 and 45.6 mpg.
A 1.8 TFSI 4-cylinder 1.8 litre CVT multitronic unit. Its specs are 170 PS, 132 mph, 8.9 secs, 143 g/km CO2 and 45.6 mpg.
The 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder 2.0 litre 6-speed manual unit - 225 PS, 152 mph, 7.4 secs, 148 g/km CO2 and 44.8 mpg.
The same 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder 2.0 litre unit coupled with the CVT multitronic transmission - 225 PS, 146 mph, 7.6 secs, 145 g/km CO2 and 45.6 mpg.
And that 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder 2.0 litre engine with a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission. Its figures are 225 PS, 149 mph, 7.2 secs, 159 g/km CO2 and 40.9 mpg.
The smallest diesel, the 2.0 TDI, is a 4-cylinder 2.0 litre unit. It comes in 2 versions, a 150 PS with a 6-speed manual gearbox (130 mph, 10.2 secs, 124 g/km CO2 and 60.1 mpg) or a 177PS version.
This 177PS 2.0 TDI is either mated to a 6-speed manual 'box (138 mph, 8.8 secs, 127 g/km CO2, 57.6 mpg) or a CVT multitronic (137 mph, 8.3 secs, 132 g/km CO2, 56.5 mpg).
Then you've got the 3.0 TDI 3.0 litre V6 with specs that look like this: 204 PS, 143 mph, 7.6 secs, 138 g/km CO2 and 54.3 mpg for the multitronic or 245 PS, 154 mph (limited), 6.3 secs, 154 g/km CO2 and 47.9 mpg for the 7-speed S tronic and quattro all-wheel-drive.
The S5 quattro has a 3.0 litre V6 engine with a 7-speed S tronic transmission to produce 333 PS, 155 mph (limited), 5.4 secs, 184 g/km CO2 and 35.8 mpg.
Moving on to the most powerful, the RS 5 uses a 4.2 litre V8 with a 7-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive to achieve 450 PS, 155 mph (limited), 4.9 secs, 249 g/km CO2 and 26.4 mpg.
Rivals
As I've already mentioned, its main rivals are the BMW 4 Series Convertible and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. BMW and Audi are the main competitors here with both offering a coupé, a Gran Coupé/Sportback and a convertible.
The 4 Series Convertible starts at £34,910 whereas the E-Class Cabriolet starts at £42,005. The A5 Cabriolet is the cheapest as regards base prices at £32,320.
The S5 Cabriolet doesn't really have a direct rival but has a starting price of £46,770. The 435i Convertible does start at £45,680 however. The E400 Cabriolet is similarly priced at £48,830 and all three offer similar power outputs and levels of performance.
The RS 5 Cabriolet jumps all the way up to £69,505, competing against the much cheaper M4 Convertible at £61,145.
My Audi A5
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