UK
Open air A5 range flagship adopts supercharged V6 power to maximise efficiency without diluting driving pleasure
-New S5 Cabriolet now open for order priced at £42,245 OTR – first deliveries in October
-Replaces S4 Cabriolet and adopts supercharged V6 TFSI with 333PS and 440Nm from 2,500-4,850rpm in place of its naturally aspirated V8
-Seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission as standard
-Evolution of quattro system with optional sport differential capable of varying torque not only between front and rear axles but also between each rear wheel
-Optional Audi drive select adaptable dynamics system enables fine-tuning of throttle response, shock absorber settings and steering feel
-S5 Cabriolet 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, top speed limited to 155mph, combined mpg 29.1, CO2 224g/km
-Lightweight acoustic soft-top opens in 15 seconds, closes in 17 seconds and reduces cabin noise to near fixed head levels
-Cabriolet lovers hopeful of an Indian summer will welcome the new Audi S5 Cabriolet, which becomes available to order in the UK this month priced at £42,245 OTR and will touch down here in October.
The latest A5 range flagship is powered by the same all-new supercharged six-cylinder engine that enables the previously V8-powered S4 Saloon to deliver characteristic sports car pace with atypically high efficiency, and its influence is equally palpable in this latest application. Working exclusively in conjunction with the equally economy-focused 7-speed S tronic twin-clutch sports transmission, the new unit pares CO2 output back to 224g/km and boosts economy to up to 29.1mpg, yet also powers the S5 Cabriolet to 62mph in 5.6 seconds and on to a governed 155mph top speed.
In common with every other S quattro Series model, the outstanding performance is achieved with the help of quattro four-wheel-drive, in this instance in the form of the latest generation asymmetric system with 40/60 rear-biased torque split. The benefits of this configuration in terms of adjustability can be felt even more acutely if the optional sport differential, with its ability to not only transfer torque between the front and rear axles but also between the rear wheels, is specified as part of the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system. When the steering wheel is turned or the car accelerated in a corner, the differential redirects power in a controlled manner to the outer rear wheel, literally pushing the car through the corner. The driver benefits from reduced steering effort and a feeling of even greater adjustability and control.
Specially tailored ‘S’ sports suspension gives the quattro system and sport differential optimum conditions in which to shine, and lowers the S5 Cabriolet body to within millimetres of its 19-inch 5 parallel spoke alloy wheels. Aluminium-look door mirrors, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, rear LED lamps, special ‘S’ front and rear styling treatments and black painted brake callipers bearing the S5 logo will also be distinguishing features.
Outstanding insulation from the elements
The A5 Cabriolet range flagship will of course also feature the most sophisticated version of the lightweight soft-top - the acoustic hood – which with additional insulating layers reduces external noise intrusion into the cabin to virtually the same level as the fixed head Coupe. On the hopefully numerous occasions when it isn’t required, the soft-top retracts in just 15 seconds into a compartment within the boot that automatically lowers to accommodate it. It also raises again in only 17 seconds, and can complete both operations at speeds of up to 31mph.
Roof up or down, the S5 Cabriolet makes light work of transporting up to four adults in comfort, and when the soft top is in place, a best-in-class luggage capacity of 380 litres also enables easy accommodation of luggage for four. In topless mode the roof stowage compartment only marginally reduces this impressive total to 320 litres. Thanks to the standard split/folding rear seat back a maximum capacity of 750 litres can be accessed if required.
Audi UK has enjoyed an exceptionally rapid rise to prominence in the premium sector. In 2000 just over 43,000 Audi models found homes in the UK, and from that point until 2008 the brand has continually broken annual sales records, successfully passing the milestone 100,000 sales mark in 2007 and 2008, when it ended the year with a record 4.7% market share from 100,845 sales. Globally, the brand exceeded 1 million deliveries for the first time in its history in 2008, marking the occasion with its best ever revenue figure and a record profit-before-tax total of 3.177 billion Euros (£2.94 billion) in the process. With its programmes for both road and race cars the brand continues to maintain its dramatic trajectory. On the road it has extended its reach into important new segments with strong offerings such as the A3 Cabriolet, the Q5, the TT RS and the R8 5.2 FSI quattro, and in the near future will break further new ground with the A1 compact hatchback, the Q3 compact SUV and the A5 Sportback five-door coupe. On the race circuit Audi Sport has contested the 2009 Le Mans 24-hour marathon with the R15 TDI - a completely new sports prototype powered by a newly developed ten-cylinder diesel engine.
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