2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet
More than the sum of its parts
By Imthishan Giado
2012 Audi A5 Cabrio
Proper four seat convertibles are rarer than you think.
Oh sure, nearly every manufacturer offers one in their rapidly expanding lineups, but one that’s actually capable of seating four regularly-sized adults properly? Hard to find. Whether it’s a Bentley, Jag or Maserati, the more you spend, the more you realise that what you’re actually buying is a well-trimmed 2+2 coupe with head turning looks. The space simply isn’t there.
No, if it’s a practical convertible you’re after, you’ve only really got one option – the Audi A5 Cabriolet. No, really, that’s it – BMW’s new 4-series folding hard top convertible won’t be out until next year and it’s the same story for the upcoming Merc C-Class Cabriolet. Fortunately, it’s no hardship. The A5 Cab is a masterclass in doing convertibles properly, with a timeless well-chiselled exterior that continues to age remarkably well.
Yes, there’s an absence of the sort of the rampant overstyling we’ve come to expect from the Germans in the forms of scoops, strakes, bustle boots and all the other sort of addenda, but the A5 is better for it. A word of caution – the head-turning Brilliant Red of our test car (sadly not pictured) is a bit like picking one of those flamboyant muscle car pigments – all I can say is, you’d best be no shrinking violet.
Inside, it’s a familar story. While Merc deals in dullness and BMW’s cars retreat to safe Swabian overtones of black and more black, the A5’s cabin is a fine place to be, in usual Ingolstadt tradition. Everything that looks metal is metal, the leather is soft and supple without bruising easily and the switchgear all clicks and flips with the oiled precision of a five-star hotel waiter on the greatest service of his life. The feel-good factor is off the chain as they say, and considerably helps to disguise some of the A5’s driving inadequacies. But the real reason you buy this over a TT convertible is that the A5 can really seat four six-footers in reasonable comfort – if not their luggage. As a touring car for your friends, the only thing I can think of which even remotely competes for comfort is the Mustang convertible – and that appeals to a how shall we say, different clientele.
On the road? Well I wasn’t expecting much from this new breed of computer-controlled convertibles…and needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed. The steering is almost whimsically light in Comfort mode – which is is perfectly appropriate for a comfy cruiser. Switching the Audi Drive Select Select to ‘Dynamic’ just makes it overly heavy and the improvement in feel is marginal. Also, it may say ‘Quattro’ on the back but at heart this car still feels quite front heavy – which is not a surprise with that big supercharged V6 lump at the front!
Best to leave the aggression at home and drive the big A5 with a relaxed demeanour. The power to punch through gaps in traffic is there if you need it – 272bhp is nothing to be sniffed at – and the 7-speed DSG slurs through the cogs just right. Somehow it all comes together really well – even on 19″ wheels, the A5 rides quite nicely, refusing to get caught out by sudden bumps or potholes, and scuttle shake is hardly noticeable. Just make sure you get it with an S-Line package – yes, it’s expensive at an extra AED21,000 for the wheels and bodykit but trust me, if you’re spending this much money on a convertible, a few pennies is well worth the extra spend.
If you’re looking for the full-on wind-in-your-hair sportscar experience, this isn’t the car for you, it’s much too composed and unflappable for that sort of thing. But if you like the idea of an elegant express you could hardly do worse. Come 2013 however, it might well be a different story.
Spec
2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI Quattro Stronic
Price: AED238,000 ($64,790) with S-Line package AED 259,300 (USD70,515)
Engine: 3.0-litre, supercharged V6, 272bhp @ 4780-6500rpm, 295lb ft @ 2150-6500rpm
Performance: 0-100kph 6.3 seconds, 250kph (limited), 8.5L/100km
Transmission: seven-speed DSG, four-wheel drive
Weight: 1850kg
