Audi RS5 Cabriolet 2014 review

You've got to respect Audi for their commitment in producing 'only' soft top cabriolets. While everyone else is going the folding hard top route, if you buy an Audi drop top, it's a 'rag' top. And we reckon they are all the better for it because it doesn't water down the original cabriolet concept that specified a soft top and four seats.

The latest cabrio from Audi is the gorgeous RS5, following on from the coupe version. The low roof takes this glamorous car from striking to stunning and then you take the top down -- in 17 seconds at speeds up to 50kmh. It's based on an A5 platform but there the similarities end.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

Under the alloy bonnet is a hand-built, high revving 4.2-litre, naturally-aspirated V8 petrol engine with direct fuel injection and variable cam timing producing a handy 331kW/430Nm output.

Coupled with this is a dual mode exhaust system that emits a low rumble cruising or a blatting V8 bark depending on throttle position. Drive is to all four wheels via a quattro system with torque vectoring (power apportioned to the wheels with grip) and other dynamic controls. The transmission is a seven-speed dual clutch S-tronic 'auto'.

REINFORCED

The cabrio's body is reinforced to maintain structural integrity but it tips the scales at 1920kg, some 200kg more than the coupe version.
With the roof down, boot space is good for a cabriolet/convertible. It rides on a double wishbone suspension with Audi drive select allowing changes to dynamic feel and responses.

FEATURES

The car rides on 19-inch alloys and features adaptive xenon headlights, Bluetooth phone and audio, 10 speaker audio, parking assist and a rear view camera, premium satnav, climate controlled seats, flat bottom multi function wheel with paddle shift and RS brakes and suspension. The roof is designed to cut noise and has inbuilt LED courtesy lighting. A range of packages are available. Audi Connect internet connectivity is an $800 option on the RS5 allowing integrated WiFi hotspot connection.

ON THE ROAD

The drive is fabulous with the RS Cabriolet offering a sporty, engaging feel coupled with superb engine performance... and that exhaust note, accentuated with the roof down. It has impressive cornering ability thanks to all the electronics, huge brakes, quattro drive and wide tyres.

Put it into a set of tight ones and the RS5 Cabrio hooks in and fairly rips around the arc, blatting its way out the other side. Makes you feel like a hero. The creature comforts are of a high order such that you can spend quite a lot of time interacting with the infotainment and car set up systems. It will take four in leather clad comfort and access to the rear pew is OK.

It's a stand out on the road for any number of reasons and is possibly one of the best looking cabrios around right at this moment. But the price will sober you up, $175,900 for the soft top, 20 grand less for the coupe which is both quicker and more economical.

VERDICT

We'd probably be happy with the "cheaper" coupe though the tan would suffer on those sparkling sunny days.

2014 Audi RS5 convertible 
Price: from $175,900
Engine: 4.2-litre V8, 331kW/430Nm
Transmission: 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch, AWD
Thirst: 10.7L/100km
0 to 100 km/h: 4.9 seconds