Audi A5 Convertible
3.0 V6 diesel Quattro

Magnificent !

From time to time my imagination runs away with me and I begin to speculate as to what car I would buy for myself if I won the Lotto. As my family keep telling me, this is never going to happen, as I never buy a ticket ! Years ago, this would not have been a problem, as up to its demise in around 1980, it would have been a bright red MG roadster. Then in 1989 Mazda came to my rescue and the car would have been a bright red Mazda MX5 roadster thereafter. In more recent times, things have changed. My ageing bones make it more difficult for me to get into a low slung roadster. Then two of my children have moved to the UK, so the car in question has to have a boot big enough to carry our luggage, as my wife and I go to visit them. Once there it is much handier to have four seats, so if we go out, we can all travel together in the same car. I have looked at coupes and put the Mercedes-Benz CLK 200, Peugeot 407 V6 diesel and the Audi A5 4.2 V8 Quattro to the test. They all did the job splendidly, but for local driving, I still hanker after a convertible, so decided to look at the new Audi A5. Over the years I have been overwhelmed by a number of Audi convertibles, from A4 models with both petrol and diesel power, with manual and automatic transmissions, as well as the A3 convertible, so my leaning was very much towards Audi. But then, if I won the Lotto, money would be no problem, so my thoughts wandered towards the Bentley Continental GTC or the new Maserati GranCabrio. I have only seen pictures of the latter, so I will have to wait until next week, when it is launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. However, I have made up my mind and unquestionably it will be the Audi A5 with 3.0 V6 diesel power, the seven speed DSG gearbox and Quattro all wheel drive, just like this car I have on test.

I have seen and admired the Bentley Continental GTC at several motor shows and on the road, but I have never driven it. As mentioned earlier, I have only seen pictures of the Maserati GranCabrio, although I have admired the Maserati Spyder roadsters I have seen at countless motor shows. In view of this, why have I decided that regardless of the money, the Audi A5 3.0 V6 diesel Quattro convertible will be my preferred car, you may well ask ?
My answer is simple, “It is one of the most outstanding cars it has ever been my pleasure to drive !” Its scintillating performance is silent, silky smooth and utterly effortless. Its top speed is actually 1 kph faster than that of its 3.2 V6 petrol engined sister, while its 0-100 kph acceleration time is a full half a second faster. Its fuel consumption is better, with the result that its exhaust emissions are lower and it comes with Quattro all wheel drive as standard, whereas the other models in the range are simply front wheel drive. Its seven speed DSG gearbox is one of the smoothest I have ever encountered, making driving the car an utterly effortless and absolute pleasure. The Quattro all wheel drive makes it handle as effortlessly as if on rails, regardless of road conditions, or velocity.
Looking at the figures, top speed is 247 kph (153 mph), which is far faster than you can legally drive almost anywhere in the European Union. Its 0-100 kph acceleration in 6.4 seconds is similarly in a very sporting category. On the urban cycle it returns 33 mpg (8.5 lt/100 km), while on the extra urban cycle, this improves to 48 mpg (5.8 lt/100 km). This gives a combined cycle average of 41 mpg (6.8 lt/100 km). This may be far removed from economy, diesel car territory, but please remember this is a scintillating, exciting sports car, with all the comfort, luxury and refinement of a luxury limousine. Exhaust emissions are 174 gm/km, putting the car into Irish road tax band E, which at current rates, carries an annual tax burden of 630 euro. Forget this government rip-off, think instead of the superb driving pleasure this A5 convertible delivers.

The driving environment is superbly laid out, with everything easy to see and reach whilst driving. The two large round analogue instruments, have white lettering on black faces, with red needles, making them easy to see in all lighting conditions. Between the two there is a rectangular, digital information panel. Two smaller analogue instruments at the lower outer perimeters of the two large dials, show engine temperature (left) and fuel level (right). The audio system is situated below the two air vents in the centre console, with with additional switches on the horizontal arms of the steering wheel. Rotary switches and buttons for the climate control, are immediately below the audio system. On the passenger side of the centre tunnel, behind the gearlever, there are switches for raising and lowering the roof and another for all four windows. On the driver’s side there are a variety of switches, buttons and selectors for the satellite navigation and other functions of the on-board computer and audio equipment. Master controls for the four individual windows, rear view mirrors and locking/unlocking of the doors are in the driver’s door armrest and handle. It is all beautifully convenient and close at hand. The armrest between the two front seats has sockets for auxiliary equipment as well as a cradle for your mobile telephone, with controls on the arm of the steering wheel making a hands free operation available whilst driving.
While the roof takes around fifteen seconds to open fully, it can be done on the move at speeds of up to 50 kph (30 mph). Raising the roof takes a little bit longer, but the good news is that the passenger area is covered in around ten seconds, so you are protected from any sudden shower, whilst the rest of the operation is completed. It too can be done on the move at speeds of up to 50 kph (30 mph). This makes the Audi A5 a perfectly practical car for everyday convertible use, for most of the time. Naturally you do not drive top down at slow speeds in the pouring rain, but a sudden shower can be easily handled. I was driving at around 125 kph (77 mph), top down along the motorway, when it began to rain. I simply maintained my speed and switched on the wipers. I remained perfectly dry throughout. There was no need to lower my speed as visibility was unaffected and traffic on the motorway was very light, with plenty of distance between the various vehicles. The heating system is intelligent, so you can select one set of temperatures for open top driving and another for closed top driving and the system automatically adjusts itself as the roof is raised and lowered.

A lift-up handle on the top, outer edge, of each of the front seat backrests, allows the backrest to tilt forwards, in order to facilitate entry and exit to the two rear seats. In addition a rocker switch on each seat backrest, slides the whole seat assembly forwards or backwards with the same purpose in mind. Between the two rear seat cushions there is a covered cupholder with two spaces and a sliding top cover. Whatever about the A5 coupe, the A5 convertible is strictly a four seater and even then space is severely restricted and really only suitable for short journeys.
When not required for passengers, the backrests of the two rear seats may be folded down individually, to provide increased luggage space. This should please golfers, as it will allow two full sets of clubs to be carried.

The tray that accommodates the roof in the upper section of the boot when it is lowered, rises up to increase luggage space when the roof is erected. It gives around an extra 40 litres of space with the roof up. A Spacesaver spare wheel is housed below the luggage floor and fits over the large battery when it is stowed. This could cause problems if you are touring and have a boot full of luggage, as a normal size road wheel, will not comfortably fit into the space vacated by the Spacesaver spare wheel.

Above left : Normal luggage space with roof storage tray in its lower position
Above right : Spacesaver spare wheel in its normal position above the battery

Technical Data

Note :
Personally I consider it to be a rip-off, that the manufacturers/distributors charge extra for things like, leather upholstery, leather covered door armrests, sports seats, three zone climate control, anti-glare interior mirror, heated folding exterior mirrors, Bluetooth telephone facilities and an anti-theft alarm, as I would expect these to be items of standard equipment on a premium sector, prestige, convertible, costing almost 73,000 Euro as standard.