2010 Audi A5

The base 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet -- dubbed 2.0T -- gets Audi's stout 2.0L turbo four, which puts out 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The front-drive 2.0T, which should start at around $42,000, comes only with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while the rear-biased 40/60 quattro all-wheel-drive version receives a conventional six-speed automatic.

For roughly $49,000 to start, the 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet 3.2 comes to America exclusively with quattro and a six-speed auto (no available seven-speed dual-clutch, as in Europe), and, like its badge suggests, a 3.2L V-6 making 265 hp and 243 lb-ft.

While the S5 is the only one to boast the rear diff, all A5/S5 Cabs receive a sturdy and handsome cloth top that opens in just 15 sec (17 ticks to close). The power retractable hardtop on the BMW 3 Series models, in comparison, takes 22 sec to open and 23 to close.

Under the hood, 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet buyers will have the same choice as current A4 Cabriolet shoppers save for one difference: Both the 211-hp, 258 lb-ft 2.0L turbo I-4 (mated to a CVT for FWD models and a six-speed auto on quattro models) and 265-hp, 243 lb-ft 3.2L V-6 (mated to a six-speed automatic) receive direct injection technology, which accounts for the modest increase in power. According to Audi, the former hustles from 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 sec. and the latter in 6.9 sec. On the fuel economy front, although the engines are similar to those of the current model, Audi claims the 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet's fuel economy will be significantly improved. According to Audi, the European-spec front-drive 2.0T with a six-speed manual achieves an average of 34.6 mpg and the six-speed front-drive 3.2 model an average of 27.4 mpg. Bad news for three-pedal fans, however: A traditional manual will not be offered on either the 2010 A5 or S5 Cabriolet for the U.S.

While competitors (we're looking at you, 3-series) have moved to heavy retractable hardtops, Audi's stuck with a traditional cloth top for both the 2010 Audi A5 and S5 convertibles. In addition to offering a quick cycle time (15 seconds to open, 17 to close), the rag top saves weight and also allows for a 50/50 split-folding rear seat back.

As it replaces the drop-top A4, the 2010 A5 Cabriolet is offered not only with the coupe's 265-hp 3.2-liter V-6, but also with the A4's turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4. Delivering 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, the 2.0T is coupled with Audi's Multitronic CVT in front-wheel-drive models, or a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission in Quattro-equipped cars. Like the coupe, the 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet 3.2 FSI model is available only with the Tiptronic gearbox and the Quattro drivetrain.

The new 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet is a true four-seater with a fabric top, combining a distinctly sporty character with the fascination of open-top driving. Five efficient engines, an agile suspension and a wide range of high-end options make the new Audi the most attractive convertible in the mid-sized segment.

The perfect addition to this technology is the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system, which enables the driver to chose among three different engine maps controlling the characteristics of the fuel feed, the shifting points of the seven-speed S tronic or the multitronic, and the boost provided by the servotronic steering system. If the 2010 A5 is equipped with the MMI operating interface, a fourth, programmable map is available. Additional technologies available include adaptive control of the shock absorbers and variable-ratio dynamic steering.