The Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet - the joy of open-top driving

Dynamic and wonderful to look at, the new A5 Cabriolet is a real Audi, and an especially exciting one at that. Powerful engines, an agile suspension and a wide range of high-end options make the new Audi model the most attractive mid-range convertible. The top-of-the-line model of Audi's new family of convertibles, the S5 Cabriolet, comes with the newly-developed, supercharged three-liter V6 with gasoline direct injection. The A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet will arrive in Singapore in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The A5 Cabriolet will be available with one engine variant - the 2.0 TFSI quattro when it is launched in the 4th quarter of 2009.

[B]The exterior design[/B]

The A5 Cabriolet combines Audi's progressive styling with the fascination of an open-top car. The long engine hood, the sharp lines, the sweep of the shoulder contour, the elegantly curved surfaces, the large wheels, the distinctive front end, and the expressive tail all interact to create a sculptural, sensuous whole. The A5 Cabriolet is 4.63 meters (15.19 ft) long and 1.85 meters (6.07 ft) wide, but only 1.38 meters (4.53 ft) tall: the sportiest proportions in its class.

The styling of the front end is dominated by the single-frame grille, which is flanked by large air intakes. The exquisite design of the headlights makes them look like technical jewels. The daytime running lights of the optional xenon plus headlights consist of LEDs.

The looks of the tail end are sharpened by horizontal lines, broad tail lights, straight tailpipes, and a distinctly colored diffuser insert. The trunk lid bears an unobtrusive spoiler lip. The xenon plus headlight option comes complete with LED taillights, which create a distinctive light pattern.

[B]The convertible top[/B]

The fabric top with the large glass rear window fits smoothly into the design profile. This is one of several reasons why Audi preferred it to a folding steel roof. What's more, its construction is much lighter in weight, which reduces the overall weight of the Cabriolet and lowers its centre of gravity.

When opened, the soft-top is retracted underneath a fixed cover, where it is folded down into an extremely compact shape. Its storage compartment, which automatically lowers itself into the trunk space, only takes up a few centimeters in height - and only 60 litres (2.12 cu ft) of the 380 litres (13.42 cu ft) of luggage space. The remaining 320 litres (11.3 cu ft) with the top open are by far the best value among comparable vehicles. What's more, the low position of the loading lip makes loading and unloading easier.

A very convenient feature in the Audi A5 Cabriolet is the split folding rear seat backrests. They can be easily unlocked by actuating levers in the trunk and drop automatically onto the seat cushions. The standard passthough is 70 centimeters (27.56 in) wide. The loading space behind the front seatback is 1.76 meters (69.29 in) long, providing a total storage volume of 750 liters (26.49 cu ft).

[B]The body[/B]

As is typical of Audi models, the A5 Cabriolet has an extremely rigid body. This is a prime reason for its precise driving performance, its high comfort level, and its maximised crash safety. In the construction of the body, several innovative technologies are used. A prime example is the ultra-high-strength steels with their extremely high tensile strength, which Audi manufactures in-house using hot forming. The front fenders of the A5 Cabriolet are made of aluminum to lower the weight and to optimise axle load distribution. An enclosed underbody improves the airflow and thereby
the fuel efficiency.

A whole array of additional reinforcement parts compensates for the absence of a solid roof. They are located in the front section, in the side skirts, in the windshield frame, and in the rear section. Located between the interior and the luggage section is the rollover protection. When a rollover threatens, spring-loaded aluminum braces are raised behind the rear seat headrests. Door-mounted head and chest sidebags provide protection in the event of a lateral impact.

[B]The interior[/B]

With its generous wheelbase of 2.75 meters (9.02 ft) and the longest interior in its class, the Audi A5 Cabriolet has plenty of room for longer trips. That is also true for the rear seats, which can be optionally divided by a centre console with two-cup holders.

Elegance in flowing lines, functional ergonomics, and top-quality craftsmanship are the principal characteristics of the interior - and this too is typically Audi. The teardrop-shaped settings of the instruments have already become modern classics. The centrally mounted onboard monitor is standard equipment. The formed-plastic console focuses on the driver. Flowing lines link it to the central tunnel and the door linings.

[B]The engines[/B]

In the propulsion system of the A5 Cabriolet too Audi has consistently relied on innovative technologies: All three gasoline engines use direct injection - impressive evidence that, at Audi, efficiency and dynamics go together and are interdependent.

The most powerful gasoline engine in the Audi A5 Cabriolet is the 3.2-liter FSI. It operates with the innovative Audi valvelift system, which varies the lift of the intake valves in two stages. As a result, the gas exchange improves and the throttle can be left open more often, minimising throttling losses - which in turn boosts the torque and the power output while reducing fuel consumption. The V6 delivers up to 195 kW (265 hp) as well as 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm. With front-wheel drive and multitronic, it accelerates the A5 Cabriolet in 6.9 seconds to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) - and up to a top speed of 246 km/h (152.86 mph). Its average fuel efficiency is an impressive 8.6 litres/100 km (27.35 US mpg). An optional alternative is quattro all-wheel drive, combined with the new seven-speed S tronic.

The 2.0 TFSI likewise attests to Audi's leadership position in engine design. This four-cylinder engine also uses the Audi valvelift system - but here it acts on the exhaust valves, with similar advantages as in the V6. Audi sells the two-litre turbo in two versions. In the entry-level version, which comes with front-wheel drive and multitronic, it delivers up to 132 kW (180 hp) and 320 Nm (236.02 lb-ft) from 1,500 to 3,900 rpm. This version completes the
standard sprint in 8.9 seconds and has a top speed of 219 km/h (136.08mph). Average fuel efficiency is an excellent 7.4 litres per 100 km (31.79 US mpg).

The more powerful version of the 2.0 TFSI delivers 155 kW (211 hp) as well as 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 4,200 rpm. It is available with three powertrain versions: with the quattro drive package and the seven-speed S tronic, and with front-wheel drive and either multitronic or manual transmission. In the latter version the A5 Cabriolet reaches 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.5 seconds and has a top speed of 241 km/h (149.75 mph). Its average fuel efficiency is an impressive 6.8 litres per 100 km (34.59 US mpg).

[B]The transmission[/B]

The quattro drive system is dynamically designed - during normal driving, it distributes the forces in a 40:60 ratio between the front and the rear. If one wheel skids, a centre differential that operates purely mechanically transfers most of the power to the axle with the better traction.

The new sport differential makes the driving dynamics of the quattro drive even more fascinating. This innovative control system steplessly distributes the propulsive torques among the rear wheels depending on the driving situation. This form of torque control makes the steering response of the A5 Cabriolet even more spontaneous and direct and further improves the vehicle's stability. Transverse acceleration is further improved while understeering or oversteering is completely prevented.

[B]The chassis[/B]

The Audi A5 Cabriolet leads its class in all relevant sporty criteria - steering response, stability and agility - yet it provides a very smooth ride. The reason for these strengths is the perfect distribution of axle loads. The front axle is located far forward in the front section - a configuration made possible by an unusual solution: the differential is mounted in front of the clutch or torque converter.

The chassis design too is technologically advanced: The front wheels are mounted on a five-link axle. The front axle support is firmly bolted to the body in order to maximise rigidity. The steering forces are transmitted to the wheels directly via the steering box, which is mounted very low within the chassis. The hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering provides a very responsive and highly precise connection to the road.

The rear-wheel suspension of the Audi A5 Cabriolet is supported by a trapezoidal-link axle, which combines a smooth ride and maximum driving stability. The essential parts of both the front and the rear suspension are made of aluminum. The large brakes ensure powerful deceleration and react very precisely to the degree of pedal pressure. 16-inch or 17-inch aluminum wheels are standard, depending on the engine version.

Another high-tech feature in the new A5 Cabriolet is the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system. It influences the characteristics of the fuel feed, the speed change points of the seven-speed S tronic, and the operating mode of the servotronic steering system. The driver presses a key to select a comfortable, intermediate, or dynamic operating mode for these subsystems. If the vehicle is equipped with a navigation system - and the MMI operator control that comes with it - a fourth engine map is provided, which the driver can program to suit.

Audi drive select is only available in combination with one or more of three additional technologies - the differential, the adaptive shock absorber control, and dynamic steering. Its superposition gear varies the gear ratio by nearly 100 percent as a function of the driving speed. The dynamic steering operates directly in city traffic. In highway driving it uses a more indirect ratio. To maximise driving safety, it cooperates closely with the ESP stabilisation program - at the handling limits it keeps the A5 Cabriolet on course by lightning-fast small interactions.

[B]The Audi S5 Cabriolet[/B]

The top-of-the-line model of the new Cabriolet production series from Audi is the S5 Cabriolet. The letter "S" stands for Sport - for dynamics, performance and power, but also for amazing efficiency.

The Audi S5 Cabriolet's engine is a newly developed, supercharged, three liter V6. The pressure in the 3.0 TFSI is generated by a mechanical supercharger - with impressive results: The power output tops out at 245 kW (333 hp), the torque between 2,900 and 5,300 rpm remains constant at a generous 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft). The powerful thrust and the spontaneous, aggressive response make for a fascinating driving experience. The S5 Cabriolet is catapulted in 5.6 seconds from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and accelerates up to a preset top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). Yet at 9.6 litres* per 100 km (24.5 US mpg), its fuel efficiency is highly impressive (preliminary values).

Standard equipment of the Audi S5 Cabriolet includes the servotronic, the seven-speed S tronic and the quattro drive system package. The sport differential is optional. A sport suspension keeps the body close to the road.

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20081204233803996.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20081204233858717.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20081204233821115.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20081204233841812.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20081204234536450.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20081204234611184.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20081204234554703.jpg[/IMG]

Credits: JRC