A CLASSIER KIND OF GERMAN OPEN (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 90

Audi didn't need to radically reinvent its second generation A5 Cabriolet. A few tweaks and updates on the existing theme would have been sufficient to prolong its stay near the top of the mid-sized premium drop-top sector. As it happens, rather more than that was delivered, this MK2 model being lighter, more efficient, easier to enjoy and better to drive, with classy looks, impressive build quality and cutting-edge technology. The styling may have been evolutionary but the objectives here were uncompromising: Here, we consider this model as a used proposition.

Modelsword count: 19

2dr Convertible (2.0 TFSI, 3.0 TFSI, 2.9 TFSI petrol / 2.0 TDI, 3.0 TDI) [Sport, S line, Vorsprung, S5])

Historyword count: 322

For a certain kind of customer, the combination of the Audi badge and a pretty convertible body shape seems to be difficult to resist. We saw it with Princess Diana and her Audi Cabriolet in the early Nineties. Then with the huge success of the handsome A4 Cabriolet which dominated the executive drop-top sector in the early years of this century. Here, we're looking at the second generation version of that car's successor, the A5 Cabriolet, beautifully built and lovely to look at, but perhaps an even more accomplished way to enjoy the best - and worst - that the British weather can offer. Like the first generation A5 Cabriolet which was launched back in 2009, this soft-top Audi shared most things with its A5 Coupe stablemate and, like that car, was thoroughly rejuvenated in F5-era MK2 model form with quite a lot of extra 'Vorsprung durch technik'. The result of all that development saw Ingolstadt promising significant improvements in quality, handling, ride and performance. Plus going 'al fresco' was even easier with this post-2017-era model thanks to neck-level seat heating and a new one-touch roof opening function. As before, this drop-top differed from its rear-driven BMW 4 Series Convertible and Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet rivals in its use of a front-driven platform, but Audi put a lot of work in to make that set-up more responsive, reducing weight, increasing power and providing some sophisticated suspension technology. Like the competition, Ingolstadt offered a 4WD option too, a re-developed quattro system that was standard on the potent S5 variant that Audi reckoned would take an increasing proportion of sales with this MK2 model. Across the range, buyers also got state-of-the-art cabin quality, class-leading media connectivity and the possibility of using over thirty separate driving assistance systems. There was a subtle facelift for the range in 2020; which then took this design through to the end of production in 2022, after which it wasn't replaced.

What You Getword count: 486

This MK2 model A5 Cabriolet looks exactly what it is: a more sophisticated, gym-toned version of its predecessor. If you're tempted to conclude that not much changed here over that earlier car, you've only to reference the previous version. Then you'll appreciate just how far the looks of this model evolved in a second generation guise that was longer, lighter, stiffer and sleeker than the car it replaced. You'll want to know about the re-designed roof, which operates via a neat one-touch mechanism controlled via switches below the gear lever. One touch is all that's needed, either to close the hood in 18 seconds - or to open it again in 15 seconds, either operation also possible at speeds of up to 31mph. At the rear, slim three-dimensional LED rear lights stretch into a boot lid topped by a subtle spoiler, aiming to further emphasise the lower, wider theme. When it's time to open the long wide driver's door and take a seat inside, you'll find yourself in a cabin that we think will really sell you this car. One of the few things motoring experts agree upon is that from this period, Audi set the standard by which other automotive interiors had to be judged and this one is, as usual, very difficult to criticise. We like the seats too, which could feature optional neck-level vents to warm you when you're travelling 'al fresco' on cold mornings. They position you perfectly in front of a magnesium-framed leather-stitched three-spoke multi-function steering wheel. Through it, in pre-2020 pre-facelift standard models, you'd view two conventional analogue dials separated by the usual information screen. Most early owners though, upgraded to Audi's 'Virtual Cockpit' screen that replaced the entire instrument binnacle with a 12.3-inch LCD colour monitor and offered a layout that was fully digital and customisable, with smart 3D graphics and highly detailed effects. This screen was standardised as part of the 2020 facelift. Anything this set-up can't tell you will almost certainly be covered by the slimline MMI infotainment display that dominates the top of the dashboard. From launch, it was 7-inches in size on standard models - or 8.3-inches for those original owners who opted for the top 'MMI Navigation Plus with MMI touch' system, with its crisp 3D maps and responsive Nvidia graphics. As part of the 2020 facelift, the central screen was upgraded to 10.1-inches in size. The rear is the part of the car where you most appreciate this second generation design's 13mm of extra wheelbase. That freed up an extra 23mm of kneeroom, something further aided by the scalloped cut-outs in the front seatbacks. Let's finish by considering the boot. Given this MK2 model's slightly increased length, you might expect the cargo space to be a little larger than before, but it remains 380-litres in size when the roof's up. Luggage capacity with this car in its open configuration falls only to 320-litres.

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