Audi launches the new A5 and S5 Cabriolet in the UK with deliveries starting in April.

Cut from the same cloth as the Coupé and Sportback, the new Audi A5 Cabriolet will usher in spring in a completely new form

• Open for order now, with first deliveries starting in late April
• SE, Sport and S line specification 
• Petrol engine line-up comprises 190PS 2.0 TFSI manual and S tronic, 252PS 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic and flagship 354PS S5 V6 TFSI quattro
• 190PS 2.0 TDI S tronic with front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive and 218PS quattro S tronic also available
• 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds and 155mph top speed for S5 Cabriolet
• Fully automatic acoustic hood opens and closes in 15 seconds, at up to 31mph 
• Standard specification includes heated front seats, Audi smartphone interface, pre-sense city, seatbelt microphones and the Audi parking system plus
• Matrix LED lights, Audi Virtual Cockpit, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, Bang & Olufsen sound system, head-up display and Audi Phone Box optionally available
• Assistance systems range from adaptive cruise control with stop&go, predictive efficiency assistant, collision avoidance assistant, active lane assist and turn assist

As a symbolic reminder that spring is just around the corner Audi is reintroducing an open-air option to its comprehensively reworked A5 range this week. 

Bearing all the new, state-of-the-art design, engineering and technology hallmarks already associated with the elegant A5 Coupé and versatile Sportback, the all-new A5 Cabriolet has just become available to order priced from £35,235 OTR, meaning that there should be plenty of wind-in-hair opportunities remaining in 2017 for the first customers taking delivery in April. 

At the same time, the S5 Cabriolet also joins the range with a new 3.0 V6 TFSI producing 354PS and 500Nm of torque from 1,370rpm. Priced at £51,835 OTR, its special status is subtly defined by customary S-specific body detailing and dynamic enhancements. 

In keeping with tradition, a fabric hood that is fully automatic and acoustically optimised is fitted as standard. The four hood colours red, black, dark grey and brown are available to complement the exterior paint finishes, one of which - the crystal effect Tofana white -  is reserved exclusively for the Cabriolet.

A new one-touch opening function makes operation much easier, as a flick of the switch is all it takes to open the soft top fully automatically in 15 seconds or close it in 18 seconds. Both can be done at speeds of up to 31mph. It is stowed in a fully automatic hood tray that moves down when opening the soft top and up again when the soft top is closed, thus providing the easiest possible access to the 380-litre total luggage capacity at all times. The rear seats have a 40/20/40 split and can be easily folded forward using levers in the luggage compartment.

A number of other highlights specific to the soft-top A5 variant are available, including a wind deflector and the option of a head-level heating system for front seat occupants, ensuring opportunities to lower the roof are fully exploited, even in the coldest of climes. Heated front seats are also fitted as standard across the board.

Working in harmony with the standard Audi smartphone interface, seat belt microphones are fitted to all Cabriolet models to amplify call quality with the roof down. Entry-level SE specification also gains Twin leather upholstery, Audi drive select, Audi parking system plus front and rear sensors, pre sense city and 17-inch alloy wheels sporting a fifteen-spoke design.

In addition to the above, Sport models also come equipped with MMI Navigation and a three-month trial of the Audi connect portfolio. Front Sport seats that are electrically adjustable also include four-way electric lumbar support. Rounding off the enhancements is an LED interior lighting package.

In top-flight S line guise, wheel size increases from 17 to 18 inches with a five-spoke Twin star design, and LED headlights with LED rear lights and dynamic rear indicators are complemented by a host of signature S line styling details. Inside, S line sport seats upholstered in leather/Alcantara with S embossing lend a suitably sporting air. 

Lowered and stiffened Sport suspension is the automatic factory fit for S line versions, but Audi offers the option to deselect to a ‘comfort dynamic’ suspension set-up biased more heavily in favour of ride suppleness at no extra charge if preferred.

Alternatively, all models can be specified with adaptive comfort suspension with damping control. The electronically regulated system works in tandem with Audi drive select to provide a choice between a firmer setup or maximum ride comfort based on the driver’s preference. 

Varied engine line-up

Two TFSI and TDI engines with differing outputs are offered for the Audi A5 Cabriolet. For those with a preference for petrol power two versions of the popular 2.0 TFSI are available. The first offers 190PS and is available in conjunction with front-wheel-drive and manual or S tronic transmission. The standard 62mph sprint time takes 7.9 seconds regardless of which transmission is fitted. Top speed is 147mph (148mph for manual models) and combined MPG peaks at 50.4 (manual: 47.9mpg). CO2 output is 127g/km for S tronic and 136g/km for manual models.  

The second version offers 252PS and is paired with S tronic transmission and quattro drive exclusively. It enables the A5 Cabriolet to touch 62mph from rest in 6.3 seconds and to reach a 149mph top speed. In terms of efficiency, up to 44.8mpg combined is possible, with a CO2 output of 144g/km on 17-inch wheels. 

In the TDI camp, a four-cylinder 2.0-litre with 190PS is the current lead-in unit, and is available with front-wheel drive or quattro drive, both combined with S tronic transmission. It is packed with clever technical solutions that facilitate low emissions of 118g/km and a high of 62.8mpg in the front-drive version and 60.1mpg and 122g/km in the quattro.

Above the 2.0 TDI is a 3.0-litre, 218PS V6 TDI mated exclusively to quattro drive and S tronic transmission. Weighing only around 190 kilograms, this advanced engine gives the A5 Cabriolet an impressive 0-62mph sprint time of 6.8 seconds, ahead of a 149mph top speed. It also enables it to return up to 57.6mpg combined, in conjunction with a low of 128g/km.

‘S’ is for spearhead

The Audi S5 Cabriolet moves into a whole new league with its newly developed 3.0 TFSI. From its 2,995 cc of displacement, the boosted six-cylinder engine produces 354PS of power – 21PS more than the engine in the previous model. Despite this, its combined fuel consumption is up to 36.2mpg, in line with 177g/km of CO2. The top model accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 5.1 seconds, and on up to an electronically governed top speed of 155mph. It features quattro permanent all-wheel drive and the eight-speed tiptronic transmission as standard.

Dynamic upgrades for the Audi S5 Cabriolet

19-inch wheels and S sport suspension are factory fitted, and for even greater composure suspension with damping control that is specifically tuned for the S model can be specified from the options list. This can also be supplemented by a sport differential capable of finely metering torque between the rear wheels to complement the quattro all-wheel drive and maximise cornering adjustability. The operating characteristics of both systems can be fine-tuned via the standard Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system.

Abundant support: the driver assistance systems

With up to 30 driver assistance systems, the new Audi A5 Cabriolet offers a broad range of support. An intelligent combination of different technologies enhances safety, comfort and efficiency. Meanwhile Audi is also taking the next step toward piloted driving.

Playing a central role here is the adaptive cruise control (ACC) Stop&Go system including traffic jam assist. It relieves drivers in slow-moving traffic up to speeds of 40mph by assuming the tasks of braking and accelerating the car, and it also temporarily takes charge of steering on better roads. The predictive efficiency assistant evaluates GPS information from the car’s immediate surroundings and helps to save fuel by giving specific driving advice – a unique feature in this segment.

Collision avoidance assist intervenes if the car needs to drive around an obstacle to avoid an accident. Based on data from the front camera, ACC and radar sensors, it computes a recommended driving line within a fraction of a second. The line-up is rounded out by other assistance systems such as turn assist, park assist, rear cross traffic assist, exit warning, camera-based recognition of traffic signs, Audi active lane assist and Audi side assist.

Other cornerstones of the Audi technology range are also available for the Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet, from the virtual cockpit, head-up display and Audi Phone Box with wireless charging to the Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System and Matrix LED headlights.

Engine	Power	Transmission	Specification	Recommended OTR
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI	190PS	6-speed manual	SE	£35,235
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI	190PS	7-speed S tronic	SE	£36,725
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI	190PS	7-speed S tronic	SE	£39,075
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI	190PS	6-speed manual	Sport	£37,175
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI	190PS	7-speed S tronic	Sport	£38,625
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI quattro	252PS	7-speed S tronic	Sport	£43,980
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI	190PS	7-speed S tronic	Sport	£40,975
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI quattro	190PS	7-speed S tronic	Sport	£42,500
A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TDI quattro	218PS	7-speed S tronic	Sport	£44,220
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI	190PS	6-speed manual	S line	£38,785
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI	190PS	7-speed S tronic	S line	£40,315
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI quattro	252PS	7-speed S tronic	S line	£45,630
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI	190PS	7-speed S tronic	S line	£42,625
A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI quattro	190PS	7-speed S tronic	S line	£44,150
A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TDI quattro	218PS	7-speed S tronic	S line	£45,910
S5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI quattro	354PS	8-speed tiptronic	-	£51,835

Seven-seat Audi SUV reigns supreme in highly respected industry awards category

Seven-seat Audi SUV reigns supreme in highly respected industry awards category

• Audi Q7 in SE specification announced as the 2016 judges’ Luxury SUV choice
• Available to order now with a 218PS or 272PS V6 TDI engine
• quattro all-wheel drive fitted as standard on all Q7 variants
• Comprehensive SE specification includes Audi parking system plus, pre-sense city, smartphone interface, Audi drive select, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, dual-zone electronic climate control and heated, electrically adjustable front seats
• Further enhancements for S line include all-weather LED headlights and dynamic rear indicators, 20-inch alloys, privacy glass and bespoke detailing inside and out
• Priced from £48,455 to £54,540 OTR

The eminently capable Audi Q7 and its blend of exemplary refinement, technological sophistication and comfort have earned it the seal of approval from the judges at Professional Driver magazine, who have crowned it this year’s Luxury SUV. 

The ringing endorsement was presented at the publication’s Car of the Year Awards, held last night in London. 

Mark Bursa, editor of Professional Driver Magazine, said: “The new Q7 is a neater, lower car than the original version, and our judges were full of praise for its car-like ride and handling, and excellent driving dynamics. 

The sat-nav system drew praise too, allowing multiple map displays on nav screen and instrument panel.”

A panel comprising over 80 members representing multiple disciplines, from private hire firms and chauffeurs to experienced motoring journalists, singled out the entry-level SE specification as their preference, which features a host of technology that is ideally suited to the chauffeur car role.

Making life easier for both driver and passengers is the raised ride height, Audi smartphone interface and MMI Navigation Plus with the MMI Touch handwriting facility for quick and intuitive navigation entries.

Other particularly suitable elements that single the Q7 out as an ideal candidate include the option of adaptive air suspension for a cosseting ride on every occasion, regardless of road condition, and various driver assistance systems that can take the strain out of travelling congestion and even save operators money in the long term. Two such examples are the adaptive cruise control with the integrated traffic jam assist function that can brake, accelerate and steer the car in traffic at up to 37mph, and the predictive efficiency assistant, which uses the route data not only to advise the driver of where they can lift off the accelerator, but is also capable of actively ‘freewheeling’ the transmission where possible to reduce consumption and enhance ride comfort.  

For even greater levels of refinement, power door closure is available and the windscreen and front side windows can be upgraded with heat and sound insulating glass in addition to privacy glass which is already fitted as standard on S line models.

In terms of infotainment, the Audi entertainment mobile provides an immersive experience for rear-seat passengers through two detachable 10.1-inch touchscreens that are capable of streaming content from a range of source including iOS or Android and Bluetooth, while the Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system provides a rich cinematic audio experience that is on a par with a concert hall.

Extensive testing over a full day is undertaken by the Professional Driver panel and involves a circular road route, taking in urban roads and motorway-standard dual-carriageways. The cars are then given a full walk-around scrutiny and on-board systems are comprehensively trialled.

Naturally, boot space tests are an important part of the process and the Q7 comfortably excels with a 770-litre luggage capacity that increases to 1955 litres with the third row of seats folded.

A power-operated tailgate adds to the convenience, and the third row of seats can also be raised or lowered in seconds electrically via buttons in the boot or the second seat row.

All New frugal engine compliments the bigger powerplant in the new Q7 Sports utility vehicle,

New 218PS version of advanced 3.0-litre TDI engine maintains polished V6 refinement while further reducing consumption in reworked Q7

• New 218PS version of all-new Q7 joins 272PS model – available with SE and S line specification priced at £47,755 OTR and £51,250 OTR respectively
• Available to order now – UK first deliveries from October
• 3.0 TDI 218PS: 0-62mph in 7.3 secs, top speed 134mph, combined MPG 49.6 (18-inch wheel), CO₂148g/km (18-inch wheel)
• Standard specification includes MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, Audi connect, Audi drive select, keyless go, parking system plus, powered tailgate
• S line versions fitted with all-weather LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and S line styling enhancements
• Options include Audi Virtual Cockpit, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel-steering

By jettisoning up to 325kg in weight compared with its predecessor the all-new Audi Q7 is perfectly placed to capitalise on the fuel-saving capabilities of advanced new engines like the 218PS V6 TDI, which has just joined the range. 

Complementing the 272PS version of this remarkably efficient and refined 3.0-litre unit, which spearheaded the launch of the re-engineered seven-seat luxury SUV. 

The new lower output option is capable of returning in excess of 49mpg with CO₂ emissions of as little as 148g/km. The new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro 218PS is available in SE and S line specification priced from £47,755 OTR, and is due with its first UK customers in October.

Despite its even more intensive focus on efficiency the new entry point to the Q7 range isn’t short-changed on performance. 

The EU6-compliant unit’s 218PS peak output, available from 3,250rpm through to 4,750rpm, and the 500Nm torque maximum it delivers between 1,250rpm and 3,000rpm, are slickly converted by the eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission into a 0-62mph time of just 7.3 seconds and a potential top speed of 134mph.

Yet thanks in part to modifications to the water pump, oil cooler and combustion process, among other things, the SE version with its 19-inch alloy wheels and the S line with its 20-inch upgrade can deliver up to 48.7mpg according to the combined cycle test, equating to CO₂ output of 150g/km. 

Customers who choose the SE, and who place particular emphasis on economy and efficiency, can specify a smaller 18-inch wheel as an alternative to further reduce consumption and emissions – with their help up to 49.6mpg is possible with emissions of 148g/km.

Another significant contributing factor to these impressive returns is the intensive weight optimisation programme that has shaved precious kilograms from the Q7 in every area from the suspension and drivetrain components to the body panels. 

The most notable savings were made in the multimaterial body-in-white, which is 71kg lighter than its predecessor, in the all-aluminium doors which strip away 24kg and in the chassis with its sophisticated new five-link suspension, which subtracts 67kg.

Adaptive air suspension now available individually

With the seven-seat configuration which is standard for UK models the Q7 weighs in a total of 240kg lighter than the same set-up in the outgoing model, and the weight discrepancy between old and new five-seat versions (a no-cost option in the UK) is an even more impressive 325kg. 

This not only gives a freer rein to the V6 TDI units but also reduces unsprung masses to enable the newly developed suspension to deliver the best possible ride comfort.

For the ultimate in unruffled travel an adaptive air suspension system, which itself weighs 10kg less than before, can be added at extra cost to keep the body consistently level and suppress the worst effects of the roughest of surfaces, no matter what the Q7 carries and where it ventures. 

The system was previously available only as part of the Dynamic Pack but can now also be ordered as a standalone option.

For consummate control in all weathers and on all surfaces quattro all-wheel-drive is fitted as standard. Managed by a self-locking centre differential which apportions 40 per cent of power to the front and 60 per cent to the rear under normal driving conditions, it can shift up to 70 per cent forwards and up to 85 per cent rearwards if either axle becomes overburdened.

All-wheel-steering as a segment first

All-wheel-drive can also be supplemented as an option in the new Q7 by all-wheel-steering – a unique feature in the SUV segment. At low speeds, the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions, reducing the turning circle by up to one metre for noticeably easier manoeuvrability when parking and turning at low speeds. 

At higher speeds the rear wheels turn with the front by up to 3.5 degrees to enhance steering response and improve stability.  

This ground-breaking technological sophistication is carried over into the interior. 

As a starting point, the latest MMI navigation plus incorporating an ultra-clear 8.3-inch electrically retractable monitor and large fingertip-reactive MMI Touch pad serves as a portal for a wealth of entertainment and infotainment content in the Q7, and trial access to the internet-based services and in-car web browsing opportunities offered by Audi connect is also included.

SE and S line models also feature the MMI radio plus incorporating a DAB module and linked to the 10-speaker Audi sound system, electrically operated and heated front seats with four-way electric lumbar support, cruise control, light and rain sensors, the Audi parking system plus with front and rear visual and acoustic guidance, hill descent control and keyless go. S line models add front sports seats upholstered in pearl Nappa leather and Alcantara and privacy glass.

The Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system is standard for all versions, and enables the driver to alter the operating characteristics of the engine, transmission and new fuel-saving electromechanical steering across five driving modes – auto, comfort, efficiency, dynamic or individual.

When efficiency mode is selected, the S tronic transmission is disengaged from the driveline whenever the driver eases off the throttle to enable the Q7 to ‘coast’ in the interest of further fuel savings. 

When the adaptive air suspension system is specified, Audi drive select also enables the driver to select an allroad and lift/offroad function to increase ground clearance by 25mm and 60mm respectively.   

The Audi virtual cockpit, which has already set a new benchmark in the TT and R8 sports cars, is available to replace the analogue dials in the binnacle with a 12.3-inch fully digital TFT display capable of presenting a classic view with high-quality rendered dial instruments or an infotainment view with an extended display area for lists and navigation mapping.

The Audi virtual cockpit can be specified individually or as part of a Technology pack which also includes a head-up display for projection of key information onto the windscreen in the driver’s eye line, high beam assist for sensor-controlled alternation between dipped and main beam (standard for S line models), the Audi phone box for wireless connection of mobile phones to the Q7’s aerial, plus inductive charging of Qi-enabled handsets, and a three-year subscription to Audi connect services.

Detachable touch-screen tablets

Two high quality audio systems from Bose and Bang & Olufsen can also be specified to deliver remarkable 3D sound through the use of additional speakers in the A-pillars which provide the spatial dimension of height. 

Rear seat passengers can also be treated to the Audi Entertainment Mobile, which includes two detachable 10.1-inch high definition touch screens which can be attached to the front seat backs.

These can stream content from iPhone or Android smartphones via different sources, including an Audi app, the integrated SD card reader, USB, Miracast WiFi or Bluetooth.

Later this year the Audi smartphone interface will also become available on the options list, integrating many of the functions of iOS and Android mobile phones into the Audi MMI system and replicating the distinctive look of each operating system on the MMI screen using “Apple Car Play” and “Google Android Auto”.

If a compatible iOS or Android cellular phone is connected to the USB port, the respective environment opens in the Audi smartphone interface. 

Both platforms offer navigation functions, missed call/appointment reminders and messaging functions, as well as a wealth of music playback options. Over time, these will be augmented by numerous third-party applications such as Pandora, Spotify and WhatsApp.

LED daytime running lights are common to both versions, and in the S line, LED headlights also replace the SE version’s standard Xenon plus units. These are also complemented as part of S line specification by a high beam assist function and dynamic rear indicators, which sweep sequentially from the inside out for better visibility when turning.

Optional Matrix LEDs

Both light sources can also be replaced as an option by Matrix LED units comprising banks of LEDs capable of reacting individually to the presence of oncoming and leading cars. 

When high beam is activated and sensors detect cars in the vicinity they can dip or fully extinguish individual LEDs, directing corridors of light around the traffic to maintain maximum visibility of the road and surrounding environment without causing disruption to other drivers. The Matrix LED option also includes dynamic rear indicators for SE models.

An array of innovative optional driver assistance systems can also act as a second pair of eyes for the driver of the new Q7 during a wide range of everyday manoeuvres such as reversing out of a perpendicular parking space into moving traffic, pulling out of a junction into crossing traffic and exiting the car on a traffic-clogged road. 

Thanks to an evolution of adaptive cruise control incorporating a traffic jam assistant the Q7 can even take over steering duties on marked roads if traffic is moving at below 37mph.

Cabin space and the archetypal Audi quality of finish have always been Q7 virtues, and both are improved upon in the new model. 

Across the three rows of seats, upholstered in supple Twin leather in the SE or leather and Alcantara in the S line, headroom has increased for both front and second row passengers, and when the third row is surplus to requirements it can now be more easily stowed to make room for luggage thanks to a new powered folding mechanism which is standard. 

A total of 770 litres of luggage space is available when seven passengers are on board, or up to 1,955 litres if only the front seats are occupied.