Roy Lewis road tests Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0-litre TFSi (From Hereford Times)

Roy Lewis road tests Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0-litre TFSi

12:00pm Saturday 6th June 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

THERE is nothing like wind-inyour- hair motoring to increase the pleasure of everyday driving, especially if you are behind the wheel of one of Audi’s new A5 cabriolets.

This classy open top, a replacement for the A4 version, is a cracking car with a top-bracket fabric hood which is not only lighter than a folding steel roof but is less bulky so that you benefit with generous seating for four and a boot big enough to swallow the family luggage.

The smooth lines of the A5 are eyecatching with the roof up or down, the cabin is relatively quiet and with the wind deflector in place, the open car becomes something of a sun trap.

And for the cooler days, there is a neck-level heating option for opentop driving and also solar heat reflecting upholstery to keep the seats cool when the sun gets strong.

The wealth of built-in practicality is impressive, with seemingly no expense spared with the latest technology and equipment, particularly with the more expensive cars.

Other manufacturers must envy Audi with its financial strength and investment to ride out the recession and regular launches of stunning new models which are doing well in the marketplace.

The makers say the cabriolet is not a facelift but is new from the ground up. The car currently comes with three engines, a 2.0-litre turbo and 3.2-litre V6 petrol units and a 3.0-litre V6 diesel, with two more diesels, a 2.0 and 2.7-litre, and additional Quattro models due late summer.

As always, price is an all-important factor and costs range from £29,795 for the 211 PS and thrifty 2.0-litre turbo petrol to £40,385 for the Quattro S-line, a great package if the budget will run to it.

Audi favours an electric fabric roof with an excellent optional acoustic version that reduces sound intrusion to virtually the same level as the fixed-head A5 coupe.

At the press of a button, the hood can be lowered into the boot in a rapid 15 seconds or sent back into position in 17 seconds.

Of the engine options at launch, the 2.0-litre petrol proved very appealing, not only because it is the cheapest but it performs smoothly and strongly with an excellent everyday fuel figure of more than 40mpg, helped by a slick and well-spaced six-speed manual gearbox. The car is well balanced and handles well with the steering a tad sharper than some of the higher specification models.

Inside, the A5 is roomy, solid and stylish with all the controls at your fingertips.

■ Meanwhile, the first UK deliveries of Audi’s new 10-cylinder version of the acclaimed R8, powered by a 5.2- litre petrol motor, are just starting.

Some 150 cars are being delivered this year, while 1,000 would-be buyers have already put money down on the car. This, the most potent road coupe Audi has built, is available with a manual gearbox at £99,575 or R-tronic sequential shift transmission at £104,665.

The 196mph flyer, with a 0-62mph acceleration time of 3.9 seconds, is not only a terrific performer but a stunning looker from any angle.

Despite its tremendous power, it remains remarkably tractable in the deepest of traffic so that you could drive it daily to the office and turn heads every step of the way.

AT-A-GLANCE Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0-litre TFSi 6-speed manual.

Price: £29,795.

Top speed: 150mph.

0-62mph: 7.5 seconds.

Fuel: 42.2mpg (combined figure).

Emissions: C02 (g/km): 156.

Verdict: Great to drive, looks fabulous with the soft-top up or down, beautifully built, practical, economical, and should be the best seller.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)