Hail The Cab — Audi A5 Cabriolet

IF YOU’RE in the market for looks, Audi has a number of models that will turn heads and elicit the appropriate responses.

But there’s nothing like a cabriolet that is well designed and proportionately pleasing that can take things up a notch.

The soft-top version of the A5 is endowed with such pleasing looks. Be it top up or down, the turbocharged two-litre A5 Cabriolet is a looker.

Looks That Thrill

Looking at the styling of the A5 Cabriolet, it’s more pretty than sporty. With proper seating for four and comfort in abundance, this is the compromise cabriolet in the brand, which also sports the R8 Spyder, TT Roadster and A3 Cabriolet.

With a longitudinally mounted inline 4 cylinder engine, the front is more pronounced, allowing for the visual flow of the car to be more gradual. A shorter rear end is highlighted by a third brake light that serves as a lip for the cover of the soft top.

Top up or down, it’s still a quiet ride. Maybe a bit too quiet to be considered sporty.

Unless it’s a torrential shower, the special roof lining is designed to absorb the noise, so it’s a bit too quiet in the cabin.

And 15 seconds later, you still find yourself in a quiet zone with the windows up and the roof tucked away in the back. Makes you wonder if those microphones in the seat belt are necessary at all. 

The roof occupies around 60L of space, which still leaves you with 320L of boot space, which is quite good for daily use.

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Getting the top up takes a bit longer — 18 seconds — but you can do it on the move, up to 50kmh.

And while all that’s happenng, you can keep your eye on what’s ahead via the head up display which is positioned so you don’t have to lose focus on what’s going on down the road.

Digital Delights

With all the connectivity on board — Apple CarPlay and Android Auto —you are also always going to enjoy a refined environment, with comfortable leather seats, a good sound system, and the latest technology on the impressive displays.

Among the numerous driver assistance systems on offer is an outstanding 360° view of the car to check for traffic around you, potential collisions, and to keep you in your lane.

Given the new technologies and materials in play, the lighter A5 Cabriolet is also stiffer and better able to deal with moving parts. It feels more grounded and has none of the squiggles and squeaks that tend to invade early-generation cabriolets.

For those comfortable with an easy drive, the 2.0 TFSI engine is structured to deliver an economical ride, with quick, smooth changes. When pushed more, the A5 cab takes off, but there’s little in it to really emotionally engage the driver.

Perhaps the Quattro version, which is almost $40,000 more, can provide that feel.