Audi A5 convertible coming in 2009
We reported exactly one year ago today that an Audi A5 convertible was in the works. Word's out now that the upcoming drop-top will be manufactured in Neckarsulm, a city in northern Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. The Audi RS 4 will be the new A5 vert's assembly line buddy at this plant.
The new topless Audi will most likely be fitted with the 3.2-liter FSI V6, which will square up the car nicely with the BMW 328i convertible. However, when the rumored 354-hp V8 S5 convertible shows up, it will go head-to-head with the twin-turbo six-cylinder 300-hp BMW 335i convertible. Unlike the Bimmers with their folding hardtops, the Audi convertibles will have electric soft-tops to save weight (and cost, no doubt). The A5 convertible isn't expected to debut until January 2009 at the Detroit Auto Show, and we've already got our hotel rooms booked (just kidding, we're so not that organized).
[Source: Automobilwoche via eGMCarTech]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aetius 1:57PM (3/12/2008)
I have loved Audi since before it became as cool as it these days since the R8. But I'm a little concerned at the rate of new model introduction. It reminds me too much of Chrylser's good times in 04-06.
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3seriesisking 1:58PM (3/12/2008)
Looks to be a great car. I'm looking forward to its debut.
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Andy 2:07PM (3/12/2008)
Won't this directly compete with the A4, S4, RS4 convertible?
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SNIFFDAR 2:31PM (3/12/2008)
Exactly.
How many $50,000 Audi convertIbles are needed?
psarhjinian 2:37PM (3/12/2008)
I'm guessing that the A4 and S4 convertibles are going to go away. A4/S4/RS4 become strictly sedans and wagons, A5/S5/RS5 are two-doors.
I hope. Otherwise, Audi is going to end up down the road that Mercedes is (and BMW is well down) of too many models.
zamafir 2:41PM (3/12/2008)
No. Audi doesn't produce four door convertibles. the A5 is the newest iteration of their new platform which underpins the new A4. thus, logically, as audi has never produce a four door convertible, and the A5 is a natively two door body style, this will replace the S4 and RS4 convertibles by providing an A5/S5/RS5 range of convertibles... as they're already a two door model based on the platform which underpins the A4. It's quite simple really if you've followed Audi's model lineup leap frogging the last decade or so.
3seriesisking 3:38PM (3/12/2008)
psarhjinian, how do you figure BMW has more models than Merc? Audi already has about the same number of models as BMW as it stands as well.
psarhjinian 5:36PM (3/12/2008)
I should clarify: BMW has almost as many as MB.
BMW (9, including the X6): 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, X3, X5, X6, Z4
MB (13, not including the Sprinter or Vaneo): A, B, C, E, S, G, GL, ML, CL, CLK, SLK, CLS, R
Audi (8, though the R8 is low-volume): TT, A2, A3, A4/A5, A6, A8, Q7, R8
Audi's lineup doesn't quite step all over itself like BMW does (5 Touring/X6/X5), but it's getting crowded in there.
3seriesisking 5:48PM (3/12/2008)
I'll agree with you there. Being that they are all in such competition with one another, it makes sense that they offer around the same number of models, MB is just out of hand though....
Mondo 2:10PM (3/12/2008)
After driving the S5 on a track (Poconos Raceway) it felt a little heavy for the 350-ish HP V8. Concerned the droptop will FEEL even heavier (as opposed to just being heavier).
Damn sexy that S5 was though. Droptop should be a total GT cruiser.
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R 7:09PM (3/12/2008)
Drove it at the cali speedway, and I have to agree. Felt quite heavy. But...that seems to be the general trend these days. The big market lies in powerful cruisers.
YouFaceTheTick 2:10PM (3/12/2008)
It will also be extremely expensive as the S5 is pretty spendy vis-a-vis the 335i.
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zamafir 2:48PM (3/12/2008)
That's weird, because when i configure a 335i coupe with what the S5 comes with standard (heated seats, 19" wheels, sport seat and suspension, homelink - all the standard S5 stuff which come only as options on the BMW) it comes out more expensive then the S5. But I guess if you don't like standard 19" wheels, or standard leather, or standar homelink, or standard sport seats, or standard sport suspension, or standar heated seats, a base 335i is cheaper when decontented as not to be compared with the S5.
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YouFaceTheTick 3:14PM (3/12/2008)
Or you're not so good at configuring a 3. I would never get one with premium, leather, etc. Give me a 335i with manual, comfort access and sport package. That's all. And that's not a very expensive car compared to the S5.
Eric 3:16PM (3/12/2008)
Amen. Mass market doesn't buy these cars at base spec. Two downsides to the S5 though are 1) many of the options require nav and before you know it you've got a fully loaded $60k car 2) the 335i has a substantial advantage over both the S5 and A5 in fuel efficiency...which is a big consideration in this day and age.
Val 4:01PM (3/12/2008)
Really? How substantial is this advantage to the 3.2 FSI in the A5?
zamafir 5:23PM (3/12/2008)
Not so good? I'm not sure how confinguring the 3 series to have the same options as the S5 constitutes being bad at equalizing the cars with a set of options but to each his own. I like my luxury performance cars to be... luxury performance cars. odd, i know.
JunkStory 4:23PM (3/12/2008)
Go to any Audi A5/S5 forums and you will quickly learn that the wait list for the car is up to 13 months long. What the deuce is the point of introducing a convertible version when supply for the current model doesn't even keep up with the demand?
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FSM 6:54PM (3/12/2008)
That's a whole lot of models that 80% of the american public probably can't (or shouldn't try to) afford. I have always thought Audi is overpriced. I also can't stand how it is impossible to add any options without other unrelated options being forced on you. Try to configure an A3 with cloth seats and a couple options and you will see what I mean.
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Michael 12:38PM (3/23/2008)
A5 is a very sex car. I want one.
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