All casual refinement can be undermined by the introduction of one vital element: passengers. Photograph: Simon Stuart-Miller
Like "serviette", cabriolet is a word that doesn't sit comfortably in the English language. Somehow it sounds simultaneously pretentious and, well, a bit common. Which is unfortunate, because the Audi S5 Cabriolet is neither. In fact, it's avowedly unpretentious and uncommonly tasteful, with the possible exception of the slightly oversized front grille.
Audi's new S5 Cabriolet replaces the S4 Cabriolet as the company's premier high-performance open-topped model. The older car's naturally-aspirated V8 engine is now a thing of the past, and in its place comes the supercharged three-litre V6 already found in the S4 saloon and Avant.
The V6 develops a maximum of 328bhp and drives all four wheels via a seven-speed S tronic semi-automatic twin-clutch transmission. This arrangement gives a 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds, and top speed is limited to 155mph, so the car doesn't exactly hang about, but it also has relatively reasonable fuel economy and CO2 figures of 29.1mpg combined and 224g/km.
Closely based on the A5 Cabriolet already covered in a launch report and, in the case of the 2.0 TFSI S line, a road test, the S5 nevertheless looks significantly different with 19" alloy wheels, front and rear styling upgrades and lowered suspension.
The new car is available to order from UK dealers now, priced at £42,245, and customer deliveries are due to start in October.
