Tuesday 4th September 2012

Audi RS5 Cabriolet set for online launch

Audi gets ready to lift the lid on the RS5 with new cabrio debuting on Thursday

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A live unveiling of the Audi RS5 Cabriolet will take place this Thursday via an internet feed. Starting at 2pm Central European Time (so 1pm over here), the debut of Audi's latest RS will be online for all to see.

Recipe for RS5 Cabrio: Take one open-top A5...

It's no secret that the RS5 underwhelmed somewhat on first impressions but has since been updated with tech from the RS4 and claims to answer many of those initial criticisms - we've got one booked in for a test soon so we'll find out if that's the case. Suffice to say, the cabrio will also have these alterations and will, it's hoped, offer a little more engagement.

Safe to assume it'll keep the same 450hp and 317lb ft from a 4.2-litre V8 paired with a seven-speed, S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission. And, of course, the potential for an open air V8 concert courtesy of the folding roof. Given that the noise was the one thing we could all agree on in the coupe this can only be a good thing.

...and mix with RS4. A perfect blend?

So, what to should we expect from the RS5 Cabriolet? Its direct predecessor, the RS4 Cabriolet wasn't the greatest RS ever and not a patch on its Avant equivalent. And the new B8 RS4 Avant is certainly superior to both of those, and is being used to make the RS5 coupe and cabriolet better cars.

We'll be following the reveal on Thursday to keep you updated but, should you wish to follow it yourself, the link is here.

[Hellbound]

This has got to be the most unanticipated unveiling to date.

[J4CKO]

Hellbound said:

This has got to be the most unanticipated unveiling to date.

I know what you mean but really, these sound fantastic and I suspect it is probably pretty good fun, the nice noise being heightened by the lack of a roof, it is 450 bhp after all the best bit, it is available on lease for only £350 a month

[GTEYE]

I really thought this had been on sale for a few years already...

Oops!

[Carnnoisseur]

Personally, it's too subtle for me. I prefer when you are able to differentiate between entry level and flagship at a glance. I'm sure it sounds and goes well, but without the aggressive stance, it does nothing for me.....

[CallyCob]

J4CKO said:

I know what you mean but really, these sound fantastic and I suspect it is probably pretty good fun, the nice noise being heightened by the lack of a roof, it is 450 bhp after all the best bit, it is available on lease for only £350 a month

£350 a month, you sure!? If so where??

[Maldini35]

God it sounds good

[timetex]

£350 a month, you say?

I'm in!

[Dave Hedgehog]

i would take the V8 R8 spyder over 100 RS5 cabrios, its such a perfect car

[timetex]

Not really comparable though, are they.

Current steed is a V10 RS6. Previous was an R8 V8. Similar(ish) list price, but couldn't be more different.

Whilst the RS5 is probably closer to the R8 Spyder than an RS6 is, they are still miles apart in terms of target audience / task.

4 seats + luggage? Not in the Spyder!

[PhantomPH]

If someone can show me a legit £350 lease deal (no sneakily adding VAT or huge deposits...), I'll sign up today...just perhaps not for the cabrio. In fact...definitely not the cabrio.

[MrHooky]

Dovile said:

rs4 avant front bumper on it probably would have made it slightly better looking,i think.

The above pic is just a standard A5 cabrio (not even s line) - not the actual new RS5!

[n4aat]

Looks like it is suffering from water retention.

Very bloated around the waist.

[n4aat]

How is a paltry 30bhp going to lop half a second from the 0-60 time of a front wheel drive car?

[kambites]

Not really my sort of car, but I'm sure it'll provide what a lot of people want and will sell.

Sooooo much better looking than the current or previous 3-series, and that will be enough for a lot of people.

[CarlT]

n4aat said:

How is a paltry 30bhp going to lop half a second from the 0-60 time of a front wheel drive car?

Front wheel drive? I think you find all RS products are Quattro.

The RS5 cabriolet looks awesome in the flesh!