The Audi A4 Cabriolet will be replaced with a drop-top version of the Audi A5. It has also added an S5 soft-top to the range and replaced the S’s V8 engine with the new supercharged V6 from the recently launched S4.
The Audi A5 Cabriolet uses a traditional fabric roof rather than a folding metal hard-top; the new unit takes 15 seconds to open and 17 seconds to close. The cloth roof helps to preserve boot space, leaving 320 litres when folded; that’s 135 litres down on the coupé.
The Audi A5 Cabriolet is available with a choice of five engines: three petrols and two diesels. A pair of 2.0-litre petrol TFSI units produce 178bhp/236lb ft and 208bhp/258lb ft. There’s also a 3.2-litre V6 that puts out 261bhp and 243lb ft.
Both diesels are V6s; one is a version of the 3.0-litre engine, with 237bhp and 367lb ft, and the other, a 2.7, has 187bhp and 295lb ft.
All petrol engines are available with a CVT gearbox, while a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch ’box is an option on the higher-output 2.0 TFSI and the V6. The 3.0-litre diesel comes with S-tronic as standard.
The S5’s supercharged V6 puts out 328bhp and 324lb ft, allowing the car to reach 62mph in 5.6sec. This engine will also replace the S5 coupé’s V8 next year. S-tronic and four-wheel drive are standard, and a sport differential is an option.
There’s no UK pricing from Audi yet, but on the Continent the base four-cylinder petrol car starts at €37,300, equivalent to £31,485. That’s close to what the car will cost when it goes on sale here in late spring next year.