Audi A5 Cabriolet : CALL ME A CAB

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Audi's A5 Cabriolet looks offers more of the same virtues we've comes to expect from the marque's open-topped cars. Steve Walker reports.

Audi didn't need to radically reinvent its Cabriolet. A few tweaks and updates on the existing theme were always going to be sufficient to prolong its stay near the top of the premium drop-top sector. It's now based on the A5 Coupe rather than the A4 saloon, with the extra wheelbase being put to good use in boosting practicality. A hood that lowers in 15s, a 380-litre boot and a range of impressive engines are the highlights.

The convertible is a type of car that doesn't play by the established rules and one that Audi has a tradition of doing rather well. If you live in Britain and want to drive a car without a roof, you probably have a tendency to put notions of style and image ahead of cold, hard practicality. Audi has proved itself masterful at cultivating a cool identity for its products, one that would appeal to the sort of individual who appreciates the look, the feel and the posing potential of a well-executed convertible. This is what has made Audi Cabriolets such a formidable proposition in the premium drop-top sector and it's what gives the stylish A5 Cabriolet so much to live up to. In recent years, Audi has cleverly positioned itself between the perceived brashness of BMW and the conservatism of Mercedes. As a brand, it aims to be perceived as cool, fresh and modern, the perfect territory from which to flog an elegant, automotive fashion object without a roof. Sure enough, previous iterations of the Audi Cabriolet based on the A4 saloon have gone down a storm with the chattering classes, Princess Diana famously drove one and the Audi PR people are never averse to loaning one out should the right calibre of celebrity come knocking. It all helped the A4 Cabriolet models enjoy a profile far higher than the stock A4s did in comparison to their premium brand rivals. With the latest Cabriolet based on the critically acclaimed A5 Coupe, however, you'd imagine there'd be even more success in store.

"Most A5 Cabriolet customers will have decided they want one long before they take a seat behind the wheelâ€¦."

As a general rule, you probably don't want to drive your convertible too fast. By cruising along there's a far better chance you'll be spotted by desirable members of the opposite sex and thus fulfil the primary purpose of this type of car. Of course, should the rain be prevailing or the streets be deserted, Audi has been kind enough to build in some potential for fun. Power comes from one of four engine options. The 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit opens proceedings with 209bhp or there's the 263bhp 3.2-litre V6. The final option with the standard A5 Cabriolet is the 3.0-litre TDI that deploys its 237bhp with the aid of quattro all-wheel-drive but those wanting a drop-top that can really shift will favour the mighty S5. Here the engine is a 3.0-litre V6 TFSI unit with a supercharger helping it to 330bhp. The A5 Cabriolet benefits from the same layout that has been warmly received in the A4 and A5 Coupe. Audi's longitudinally mounted engines gave past models a somewhat nose-heavy feel but the latest cars move the front axle forward for more effective weight distribution and a more engaging driving experience. The quattro all-wheel-drive system continues to play a crucial role in all performance Audi models and today's system is the manufacturer's cleverest yet. Engine torque is not only distributed between front and rear wheels, it can also be divided between the two wheels on the rear axle with the aid of the optional quattro sports differential. This gives the car even greater traction and stability under hard cornering. Space can be a touchy subject in convertible cars. Measures taken to accommodate the party piece roof often have undesirable knock on effects in terms of rear legroom and boot space. To help combat this, Audi used the A5 Coupe with its extended wheelbase as the basis for the A5 Cabriolet rather than the A4 saloon that has spawned past drop-top models. The longer wheelbase boosts passenger space in the rear and creates a sizable 380-litre luggage capacity when the hood is up. The boot volume falls by just 60-litres when the roof is lowered. The hood itself is made of fabric with Audi having decided to buck the trend for hefty folding hardtop arrangements. It lowers in a super fast 15 seconds and takes just 17 seconds to reinstate itself again if a shower hits. With both operations capable of taking place at speeds of up to 31mph, owners will be left with little excuse for not making the most of the sunshine. The styling of the A5 Cabriolet is clearly derived from the classy A5 Coupe. The understated bodywork hangs together with assured elegance and looks the part whether the hood is up or down. S5 customers get lower sports suspension to bring them closer to terra firma along with LED daytime running lights and styling alterations to the bumpers at both ends. The trim level choice boils down to the usual Audi arrangement of standard, SE or S Line. All get the fully automatic hood, climate control and alloy wheels. The SE factors in leather trim and the S Line tags on various sporty styling accoutrements. Audi reserves some of the choicest items for the options list where buyers will find the adaptive cruise control that maintains a set distance to the car in front, the latest satellite navigation system and a 505-watt Bang and Olufsen stereo. Audi has developed a special neck level heating system built into the seat backs that will keep occupants warm on chilly days when the roof is down. Then, should the weather warm up, there's special solar reflective leather upholstery so you don't burn your backside when you get in after the car's been parked in the sun with the roof lowered. The A5 Cabriolet promises to be a relatively cost-effective ownership proposition with its inherent desirability maintaining residual values and the advanced engine range proving reasonably economical given the performance on offer. Even the tarmac-shredding S5 can get over 29mpg from its supercharged V6, which is a big improvement over the old V8 engine. Audi's A4 Cabriolets have been highly successful for the brand down the years and now the mantle has passed to the A5 Cabriolet to deliver the goods. The recipe is much the same, Audi's cool brand image, stylish design language and slick interiors coupled with an expertly engineered fabric hood and a range of thrusting engines. It's hard to see how this one can fail. Most A5 Cabriolet customers will have decided they want one long before they take a seat behind the wheel. The Cabriolet line has become something of an Audi icon and there will be no shortage of people willing to sign on the dotted line for the car simply because this is the latest instalment. Happily, it looks although there's plenty of substance beneath the marketing veneer and those seduced by the image should luck into the premium convertible that the others have to beat.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Audi A5 Cabriolet
PRICES: £29,800-£40,390 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 17-18
CO2 EMISSIONS: 156-219g/km
PERFORMANCE: [3.2] 0-60mph 6.9s / Max Speed 153mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [3.0TDI] (urban) 33.2mpg / (extra urban) 48.7mpg / (combined) 41.5mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ESP, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4625/1854/1383mm