Sun-seeking Audi shines

Expert Rating:

What is it?

Despite the economic climate in the UK that doesn't seem ideal for the introduction of an expensive convertible, Audi is confident that the A5 Cabriolet will sell in high numbers. To make sure that happens, there's one to suit every sun-seeking executive's pocket, starting with junior manager-spec 2.0-litre diesels (though not available at launch), and ending with a celebrity chef-tastic S5 performance version. The damage? Anything from £30,000 up to around £45,000. Not cheap, then.

But whatever version you choose, you'll get exactly what you'd expect of the Ingolstadt maker: a composed, refined and high quality two-door with an electric folding cloth roof. Audi says it will never do folding tin-tops - and now we can see why.

Is it any good?

It is, of course, lacking a quota of the overall refinement and practicality of the A5 coupé on which it's based - but it's a miniscule loss, really. Audi is well versed in the ways of making a good convertible by now (this is the 6th generation cabriolet to appear since the first A4 based one in 1990), and it shows.

So for your big fat cheque you get Audi's famed bombproof build quality and all the street cred you could ever want. The A5 coupé's body proves a good basis for the drop-top treatment, maintaining a low, wide, sporty stance with the roof up or down that looks far more dynamic and handsome than the A4 Cabriolet did. The roof mechanism itself is a brilliantly executed piece of engineering, too. It goes up in 17 seconds and back down again in 15 at the touch of a button, and if you pay extra you can have an 'acoustic roof' which, honestly, makes the Cabriolet's interior as hushed as the coupé.

We drove a range of models with different engines, gearboxes and trims, and each impressed us with excellent refinement - no matter if the roof is up or down - and exceptional build quality. Four engines will be available at launch in July: a 208bhp TFSI petrol; a 261bhp 3.2-litre V6 petrol; a 237bhp 3.0-litre V6 TDI; and the flagship 328bhp S5 with a supercharged V6 engine. Audi's sales strategy is to offer the good stuff first, before following up with more 'affordable' versions later. Fair enough. Depending on engine, you can specify a six-speed manual gearbox, a seven-speed twin-clutch S-Tronic transmission or an eight-speed CVT auto. Then you must choose wither basic, SE or S-line trim. Phew.

Our pick of the engines is the 3.0-litre diesel - though the S5 is a barnstorming brute of a drop-top - because it's refined, economical and quick, in keeping with the nature of the big sun seeker. Unfortunately, the A5 cabrio is not a sharp driving tool, and the steering is particularly numb, but it rides comfortably (mostly - it can be unsettled on bumpy roads), is built from grade-A materials and the dash is ordered with intuitive efficiency.

Should I call the bank manager?

As with so many Audis there's a spec sheet as long as the British winter, so it's easy to go too far with a ballpoint and the options list. However, a couple of the option boxes are more tickable than others, and will ensure that you'll own a convertible with class-leading residuals. For a start, the aforementioned acoustic roof is an absolute must, and we'd opt for the quick and fuss-free S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox at around £1,400, as well as Dynamic Drive, which costs about the same and allows you to switch between comfort and sport modes - the latter firming up the suspension, sharpening the steering and throttle response, and altering the gearbox management for a more rewarding drive.

But that's almost £3,000 of options on top of an already lofty list price - and without even speccing up to S-line trim: an aesthetic must. So, you can see that cheap this absolutely is not. Still, if you're in the market for a car like this you won't be surprised by the outlay - or regret plumping for the Audi.

Summary

We're pleased Audi has made this a proper rag-top, rather than following the tin-top trend of late: it's a proper convertible of the old school - but it's not cursed by the common compromises usually associated with a losing the roof.

To be honest, it should come as no surprise that the A5 Cabriolet isn't the most thrilling car in terms of out-and-out driving dynamics, but Audi's engineers have still done a cracking job making it a refined, practical and good looking cruiser. It's got a big, useable boot (370-litres with the roof up), it's very hushed with the roof in place, and it still handles with nine-tenths of the composure of the coupé. We like it.

Shane O' Donoghue