Audi expected to introduce A5/S5 cabrio next year
Audi is intent on leaving no niche unfilled and the word from Inside Line is that the automaker is planning to unveil a cabrio variant of its A5 and S5 coupes. The convertible versions of the A5 and S5 won't be fitted with the folding hardtops that have become de rigueur among its luxury competitors, so expect a similar soft-top system to that found on the A4/S4/RS4 cabrio and TT roadster. Power will be provided by either the 265-hp, 3.2-liter V6 or the 354-hp 4.2-liter V8 found in the A5 and S5, respectively. Expect the new cabrios to debut later this year or early next, with sales beginning in the spring of 2009.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Torrent 7:40PM (5/28/2008)
That's raw.
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zamafir 7:51PM (5/28/2008)
"Audi is intent on leaving no niche unfilled "
Silly me, i thought this was a replacement for the A4/S4 cab... but that initial sentence implies they're looking to sell this along side those models... care to clarify or are we being overly dramatic to increase hits?
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Noe 8:05PM (5/28/2008)
+1 i was wtf? why would they want 2 cabrios w/similar size. is audi thinking the A4 cab will be fwd and A5 will be rwd? im confused
Damon Lavrinc 8:10PM (5/28/2008)
Audi hasn't confirmed the cancellation of the A4/S4 cabrio (Karmann's contract is up, but that doesn't mean that the A4 cab is going the way of the Dodo) and Audi has made it clear on more than one occasion that part of its plan for expansion is to offer as many models as possible. Audi needs the exposure to realize its goal of being the largest luxury automaker in the world by 2015, we however, don't need the exposure to boost our page views.
zamafir 8:27PM (5/28/2008)
lol, thanks damon... i know... i know... you're the first place i check for news every hour (pre BBC/CNN) :D.
Xcountryflyer 8:14PM (5/28/2008)
I don't think Audi is doing any favors to itself buy not offering a hardtop convertible. It is becoming expected of high-end convertibles, especially since this slots above the A4 convertible.
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Tourian A5 8:24PM (5/28/2008)
It doesn't slot above the A4, it's replacing exactly the A4 cabrio. Besides, the BMW 650i is a soft top and it's awesome. Soft tops are cheaper to produce and add less weight to the car, which affects driving dynamics (specially when you transfer all that weight to the back when folding).
Also, hardtops don't have that many advantages against soft tops, considering you're most probably buying a convertible to keep it converted as much as you can.
rsfourever 8:25PM (5/28/2008)
i vehemently disagree with you on that one. i think the 3-series cabrio looks horrible - the angles are all wrong. plus, it adds a ridiculous amount of weight going from ragtop to hardtop. and in case you werent aware, many people actually like having a ragtop because it lets others know they have a convertible even when the top is up.
aside from that, i think the general look of a ragtop fits better than a hardtop convertible. there are only three hardtop convertibles in existence that look good to me: the volvo c70, the renault megane coupe cabriolet, and the VW eos. all the others look like the angles are all messed up - the trunks are too big/long, the roofs, when closed, are way too angular, and ruin the lines of the vehicle. i would take a coupe 3-series over the hardtop-convertible any day of the week...
ken_aisin 9:25PM (5/28/2008)
I agree the 3 series convertible look horrible with the top up. It looks f@#ked up from all angles.
On top of the C70, Megane Cabrio, and VW Eos, I actually like the retractable hardtop of the Mercedes SL.
I'm not against retractable hard top as long as they look good. I hope to see DSG available for the A5/S5 cabrio though.
Gungosa 8:15PM (5/28/2008)
I'm anxious to hear what Michael Moore decides on the issue.
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Hike15 8:25PM (5/28/2008)
I think that if they do sell this above and alongside the a4/s4 is should be hardtop and leave the a4/s4 soft-top to give this more of an advantage
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B 8:29PM (5/28/2008)
I agree, only flip-flopped. Sell this as a more performance oriented version with a lightweight soft top and sell the A4/S4 as a soft top.
I think if an A5/S5 cab is produced it will cancel the A4/S4 cab, especially since the A4/S4 is a 2 door anyways.
DJ 10:01PM (5/28/2008)
Didn't Audi just last week confirm that the A3 cab was on it's way? Then it would make sense that the A4/S4 cab is gone and the A3 and A5 cabs fill the void from both sides. Now they just need an A7 cab to compete against the SL and all bases are covered.
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www.AUTITO.tk 11:11PM (5/28/2008)
There are no "both sides", the A5 Cabrio is exactly the replacement for the A4 Cabrio.
Val 2:18AM (5/29/2008)
The new A4 and the A5 are built on exactly the same platform, and without the roofline, anybody will have a hard time guessing which is which, with similar size, headlights, backlights etc. That makes no sense, and I am pretty sure when they anounced the new platform it was mentioned that the current A4 cabrio will be the last one, but will be built alongside A5 coupe for some time, until they bring out the A5 convertible.
Steve_S 8:14AM (5/29/2008)
I can't see them keeping an A4 and an A5 cabrio. Essentially the same exact car. Two doors, four seats on the same platform, what would be the point?
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audidealerMD 9:10AM (5/29/2008)
The A4/S4 Cabriolet will be available in the current (2008) body style throughout the 2009 model line-up. After that, the A4/S4 Cabs will be put to rest to be replaced by the A5/S5 Cabs. They are more appropriate as they are naturally two-door cars, as opposed to changing the basic architecture of the A4.
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