Insurance Group: 33
MPG: 44.1
CO2: 145
0-62 Mph: 7.6 secs
BHP: 208 BHP
Range: 611 miles
The S line trim is an expensive upgrade from the SE and doesn’t offer much else except the sport suspension and some style changes.
The diesel engine will be a better bet for those who drive long distances because it is much more efficient.
PROS: A powerful sports car with great looks and lots of equipment, as well as low running costs.
CONS: The diesel engine is more efficient and the S line trim is more money that it is worth against the cheaper SE option. The cabriolet has bad handling and the sport suspension makes the ride very uncomfortable.
The A5 is a powerful cabriolet even with the smaller engines in the range, but the car doesn't handle too well and the drive is very shaky. The car has good grip, especially with the four-wheel-drive option, but the suspension can mean it is not as controlled on bumpy roads. Although the option of S line suspension is firmer and handles such road with more stability, it also makes the ride quite uncomfortable.
The engine is 1984cc and uses unleaded petrol with a fuel tank capacity of 63 litres. There is an eight-speed Multitronic automatic gearbox, which provides smooth acceleration. The engine is quiet and refined, but there is quite a lot of wind noise even with the roof down.
The 2.0 TFSI S line has a 208bhp engine delivering 258lb-ft of torque at 1500-4200rpm and reaches 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds with a top speed of 145mph.
The interior of the A5 is well-designed and high-quality, but some slightly cheap looking features on the dashboard are a bit of a disappointment. Otherwise, the car looks as an open top Audi should – stylish and sporty.
The roof is cloth as opposed to the currently popular metal roof. The acoustic version comes with the S line and S5 models and is optional on SE trims, but there is still a lot of wind noise.
The seat and steering wheel adjust comfortably, although the pedals are set off to the right, which can be a bit uncomfortable over long distances and the clutch is in a recess in the floor which makes for awkward control. Rear view visibility is fine even with the roof up.
The 2.0 TFSI S line comes with leather seats, power steering, climate control, rear parking sensors, stability control, alloy wheels, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and stereo as standard, with optional extras including cruise control for £225, metallic paint for £615 and satellite navigation for £1620.
For fuel economy, the A5 has a start/stop system and electromechanical power steering as standard, which allows for great efficiency and low CO2 emissions.
The A5 comes with all the safety equipment you would expect in a high-quality cabriolet including driver, passenger and front side airbags, alarm and immobiliser as standard, but the cloth roof is not as secure as a metal one would be. It also has stability control to prevent accidents and anti-lock brakes. There are front and back ISOFIX child seat mounting points and options to fit adaptive xenon headlights, lane-departure, a rear-view camera and blind-sport warning systems.
In the past few years, Audi’s reliability rating has suffered, but the A5’s mechanical reliability received an average rating in the 2011 JD Power survey.
The boot is sizeable offering 380 litres with the roof down and 750 litres with the roof up. The A5 cabriolet has got a decent amount of room in the front and back for passengers, but the rear seats are a little cramped for long journeys.
The running costs are good with the A5 and CO2 emissions are fairly low. The 2.0 TFSI S line model costs £38,320 and has a combined economy of 44.1mpg and CO2 emission rate of 149g/km.
The diesel engine is much more efficient than the petrol version, but is worth the extra cost only if you make up enough miles to justify the price and the rising diesel prices. It will also save money on tax due to lower CO2 emissions. The 2.0 litre engine is one of the best diesel options for value for money and the level of performance combined with low running costs.
The SE trim is much better value for money than the S line, as it comes with all the same equipment as the pricier S line trim, which only adds the firmer sport suspension and a few style changes.
The resale value on the A5 cabriolet is great so it is a worthwhile investment. Audi promise good service and reliability as well.
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