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By Ben Pulman
First Drives
09 March 2009 12:26
While we’ve all been fussing and fawning over the new Audi S5 Cabriolet, it’s not actually that relevant – just 250-300 are expected to be sold in the UK each year. Instead it’ll be the 2.0-litre petrol and diesels that’ll take 80% of the (hoped for) 5500 sales, split 50:50.
It’s the 2.0-litre diesel we’ve tried here, because it’s the first Audi to be fitted with the company’s new stop/start system and we’re intrigued to see whether the A5 can cope with being an oil-burning drop-top.
You’re right, it doesn’t – it’s much better. While the S5 is stiff and unyielding, this lowly diesel is fairly compliant, especially by Audi standards, though there’s still a constant patter over any surface.
It’s the steering that stands out though. The S5 we drove was fitted with Audi’s Drive Select programme, allowing you to change the steering assistance. In Comfort mode it was gloopy, and Dynamic it was weighty but horribly artificial. The 2.0-litre TDI had no such system and was all the better for it – the steering was light, but pleasingly direct and darty. This side of the R8, it’s probably the best steering in any current Audi – but still a long way off that R8 though.
Not a bit of it. There’s no agricultural growl, just a quiet (if uninspiring) four-pot murmur. With the roof down it’s almost muted, and even with the hood in place it’s louder but never intrusive.
The 258lb ft slug of torque helps pull it briskly along, but with a portly 1657kg kerbweight – an extra 187kg over the equivalent A5 Coupe – it’s not fast and you need to work the manual ‘box to make it really move.
>> Click 'Next' below to read more of our Audi A5 Cabriolet first drive
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Audi A5 2.0 TDI Cabriolet (2009) CAR review
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tonyez says
RE: Audi A5 2.0 TDI Cabriolet (2009) CAR review
I, up until last year had owned 3 Audi A4 cabriolets over a period of 11 years. I have to say that I really enjoyed owning and driving them. The quality of the cars and after sales service was excellent. In fact on the last A4 I was given 3 years free servicing! My reason for the change was that one day I was stuck on the M60 in rush hour traffic and found myself to be the third Audi Cab in a row. At that point I decided that it was perhaps time to change to something a little less "common" After much deliberation, I decided to buy a pre-registered BMW 320 M sport hard top convertible with 11 miles on the clock. The car in my opinion looks fantastic and has better lines than the Audi, roof up or down. The quality of this particular vehicle has to be questioned though as it has been back to BMW on at least 6 occasions in 12 months. I have been invited to the launch of the A5 Cab tonight (24/6) in Manchester and will be interested to see what it looks like in the flesh. I am disappointed however that Audi have not considered making this new convertible a hard top to compete with BMW and I believe they have missed an opportunity. I for one would have seriously considered a change back to Audi had they done this as I am a great fan of the brand. I will let you know my thoughts later.
I, up until last year had owned 3 Audi A4 cabriolets over a period of 11 years. I have to say that I really enjoyed owning and driving them. The quality of the cars and after sales service was excellent. In fact on the last A4 I was given 3 years free servicing!
My reason for the change was that one day I was stuck on the M60 in rush hour traffic and found myself to be the third Audi Cab in a row. At that point I decided that it was perhaps time to change to something a little less "common"
After much deliberation, I decided to buy a pre-registered BMW 320 M sport hard top convertible with 11 miles on the clock. The car in my opinion looks fantastic and has better lines than the Audi, roof up or down. The quality of this particular vehicle has to be questioned though as it has been back to BMW on at least 6 occasions in 12 months.
I have been invited to the launch of the A5 Cab tonight (24/6) in Manchester and will be interested to see what it looks like in the flesh. I am disappointed however that Audi have not considered making this new convertible a hard top to compete with BMW and I believe they have missed an opportunity. I for one would have seriously considered a change back to Audi had they done this as I am a great fan of the brand. I will let you know my thoughts later.
24 June 2009 12:21
Gmbh says
"You now manufacture the A3, A4 and now the A5 with the 2.0 tdi as a convetible" Yes but dont forget that the A4 cabriolet is being replaced by the A5, and the A3 only has the 140ps 2.0TDi, not this more powerful version.
"You now manufacture the A3, A4 and now the A5 with the 2.0 tdi as a convetible"
Yes but dont forget that the A4 cabriolet is being replaced by the A5, and the A3 only has the 140ps 2.0TDi, not this more powerful version.
18 March 2009 15:56
politeperson says
Please get some perspective Audi. You now manufacture the A3, A4 and now the A5 with the 2.0 tdi as a convetible. You have fallen into the trap the the UK car industry made 35 years ago, making too many similar cars that compete against each other in the same market segment. Mercedes are making the same mistake with a ridiculously expansive model range and to a lesser extent so are BMW. Re focus your obvious engineering talent in making a sub 900kg tdi 100mpg luxury super-duper mini. Wake up.
12 March 2009 20:32
RoadKing says
Drop-dead gorgeous looks, top up or down, combined with economy of operation and first-class workmanship make this my ideal next car, preferably with the 4 cilinder petrol engine,in metallic dark blue with red leather interior. Exchaning my current Merc E-class Estate for it. BMW: too small, weird looking folding hardtop. Mercedes: too expensive and clumsy styling, good comfort though.
10 March 2009 20:45
kkirkou says
Pretty car. I think it's better proportioned than the 3 series convertible, it has less fussy surfacing and the fabric roof is classier than the three piece roof of the 3 series, which adds visual transverse ridges and shutlines in its shape. It's perfect for cruising leisurely along Mediterranean roads and Greek beaches for six months a year, in the sunset or dawn, hood down, listening to some chill out electric tunes. You don't need performance for this. I bet that even the 125bhp 1.8 would be perfect for that. No macho frills here, just well being. Cool...
10 March 2009 07:24
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