2010 Audi A5, S5 Cabriolet

• Competes with: Convertible versions of BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Lexus IS and Volvo C70
• Looks like: The sexy coupes get a droptop version that isn’t quite as good-looking
• Drivetrain: 211-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or 265-hp, 3.2-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic in the A5; 333-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with seven-speed double-clutch transmission in S5
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2009

The all-new A5 and S5 convertibles will hit the U.S. next year, replacing the current A4 and S4 Cabriolets in Audi’s lineup. The move isn’t surprising; the new A5 and S5 coupes have sold briskly and won over the Cars.com staff as well.

Like the outgoing A4 and S4, the new models will feature retractable soft-tops instead of the newly popular retractable hardtops, like we’ve seen on BMW and Infiniti. However, the move allows for 11.3 cubic feet of storage volume with the top down. In comparison, the Volvo C70, which is one of the Audis’ larger competitors, only offers 6 cubic feet of trunk space with the top down. 

One major difference between the new convertibles and the coupes is the engine in the S5 Cabriolet; instead of the V-8 in the S5 coupe, the S5 Cabriolet gets a supercharged V-6 that makes 333 hp. That means if you pick the open-air version you’ll lose 21 hp. We wonder how much of that power will be missed by convertible drivers, though. It’s also not a big drop-off in power compared to the S4 Cabriolet, which puts out 340 hp with a thirstier V-8.

A5 drivers will get a choice of front- or all-wheel drive in the base, 2.0T models. A5 3.2 models and the S5 come only with all-wheel drive.

Prices haven’t been announced, but we expect them to be higher than the A4 Cabriolet’s $40,750 and S4 Cabriolet’s $56,775 starting prices.  More photos below.

Comments

In the article someone wrote that the S5 engine was supercharged, but in the pictures it looks like it is turbocharged. It is listed as being a turbo in the engine offering at the top of the artice as well.

They have T on the car, and its technically a TFSI engine, but it is in fact a supercharger attached to a 3.0 liter engine.

Wish the thing was a hardtop convertible though...it would make the ultimate year round car to have.

Thought I had fixed that in both places sorry. It is indeed turbocharged.

My question is: If the VW Eos can have a retractable hard top, why is Audi still using soft top?

J,
I think it has to do with weight savings as well as the fact that a modern softtop is pretty darn good at negating noise when up.

does any one know why no one makes a 5 seat convertible?

Jacob: It's likely a safety issue. There are quite a few cars in which you could have a middle seat belt installed though.

to be clear I deleted the above comment about supercharging because it is inaccurate.

This is the best looking convertible I've seen since the current Mercedes SL debuted. If they could ever get a handle on their reliability...

Dave,
But the look and feel will not be as luxurious as a retractable hard top.

Audi is acctually on top in terms of reliability (and everything else...) when it comes to German makes.

the V6 is indeed supercharged. it is the same engine that is going in the 2010 S4, which is in itself just a tweaked version of the 3.0L supercharged V6 engine going in the 2009 A6 1st quarter of next year. Plus, its got a 7 speed auto. acceleration is supposed to be faster because of the weight savings over the big V8 and the extra gear in the automatic setup. its going to be significantly more effivcient, also. the V6 TFSI is supposed to get better gas milage than the 3.2L V6 already used in many Audis, which already gets pretty good gas milage.

taken from Audi's website

Engine Type: Supercharged V6, spark-ignition engine with gasoline FSI Direct Injection technology

http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/new_cars/Audi_A6.html

Guys
You are reading about the 2009 S5 COUPE! Not the new 2010 Cabriolet. They have INDEED changed -- or should I say will use a different -- the engine to a new turbo. The thing has a big T on the side for pete's sake.

From Audi's Press release:
"As the dynamic top-of-the-line model of the new production series, the S5 Cabriolet occupies a very special position. Its three-liter TFSI - a V6 with turbocharger - unfolds its 245 kW (333 hp) and 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque impressively: It responds tenaciously to the throttle and delivers excellent driving performance. The quattro drive, a sport suspension with 18-inch wheels and a number of special equipment details underscore the athletic power of the Audi S5 Cabriolet."

Also from Audi's press release: "The Audi S5 Cabriolet’s engine is a newly developed, supercharged, three-liter V6. The pressure in the 3.0 TFSI is generated by a mechanical supercharger – with impressive results: The power output tops out at 245 kW (333 hp), the torque between 2,900 and 5,300 rpm remains constant at a generous 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft)."

Not sure how they changed the press release from the unveil to today. but they did. I'll check with Audi on it in the morning. But someone made a mistake somewhere.

I'm pretty sure its supercharged. I read somewhere a while back that Audi ran some tests, and found that they could produce more power and yet be more efficient using superchargers then turbo chargers (something I see as an attack on BMW).

One thing I'm sure we could all agree on is that these are amazing gorgeous machines.