► First pictures of new A5 Cabriolet
► 2017 convertible shown at LA
► Bigger, lighter, stiffer than before
The new Audi A5 Cabriolet is due to strip off at the Los Angeles auto show – adding al fresco motoring to the A5 Coupe’s existing posing powers.
It’s a bit longer than its predecessor, at 4673mm from tip to toe, and Audi’s stuck to a folding canvas roof for speed and packaging considerations.
Coupe to convertible: a 15-second vanishing trick
Naturally, at this elevated section of the market, the A5 cabrio’s roof is all-electric. Ingolstadt quotes 15sec for it to drop its top, or 18sec on the way back up. That’s competitive with rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Usefully, the roof can be operated at speeds of up to 31mph. So don’t go speeding around town on thundery summer days, alright?
Audi claims the new car is 40% stiffer than the last A5 cab, reducing the propensity to shake its scuttle and generally wobble over rougher road surfaces.
Yet despite boasting a beefed-up structure, it’s up to 40kg lighter, thanks to a blend of lightweight metals and clever reinforcing. With the roof closed, boot space stands at 380 litres; no figure has yet been issued with the hood stowed, though it does shrink.
What else is new on the 2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet?
Not a great amount, to be honest. This is a classic decapitation – so everything you see under the metal of the A5 Coupe translates across to the convertible.
The range is topped by the S5 Cabriolet, sporting a 349bhp 3.0-litre TFSI V6 and some pretty rapid performance figures: 0-62mph takes 5.1sec and its top speed is limited to 155mph (though we don’t recommend the folically challenged attempting that roof-down).
Audi A5 Cabriolet range and specifications
Of rather more relevance are the standard engines available on the A5 Cabriolet range:
- 2.0 TFSI 187bhp
- 2.0 TFSI 249bhp
- 2.0 TDI 187bhp
- 3.0 TDI 215bhp
- 3.0 TDI 282bhp
Depending on engine variant, you’ll be able to choose from front- or Quattro all-wheel drive, as well as six-speed manual, seven-speed S-tronic twin-clutch and eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmissions.
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Check out more news from the 2016 Los Angeles auto show