Audi Reveals Two Drop Tops plus One to Knock Your Socks Off

The Incredibles of Ingolstadt unveil cabriolet versions of the popular A5 and S5 series plus a pavement-pounding V10 rendition of the R8.

A5

A5 and S5 Cabriolets

Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007, the Audi A5 is the coupe variant of the current generation A4. Both the A and S droptop versions will feature fabric tops that, according to Audi, offer a lower weight penalty as well as superior storage space versus a rigid folding roof.

Under their respective hoods, however, there will be changes in motive power as compared to their coupe cousins. Unlike the hardtop A5, the Cabrio will come standard with the A4’s 211-hp 2.0 liter turbo 4-cylinder with either a 6-speed automatic for the Quattro model or a CVT for the front wheel drive version. A5’s equipped with Audi’s 3.2 liter 265 hp V-6 will be available only as a Quattro model and will use a 6-speed automatic transmission.

S5

The S5 will come with only one engine and transmission choice – the S4’s 3.0 liter 333-hp supercharged V-6 mated to a 7-speed S tronic double-clutch automatic transmission.

Top speed for the A5 is limited to 130 mph, while the S5 is limited to 155 mph.

When 410 hp just isn’t good enough

These days, Audi just seems to be getting everything right. Not only is the R8 one of the most stunning sports cars on the planet, it had a starring role in this summer’s top action hit, Iron Man. So how does a company follow up on all that hype? For Audi, anyway, it was no problem whatsoever.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the new Audi R8 V10. The newest R8 is equipped with a 5.2-liter ten-cylinder engine that produces 100.9 hp per liter, for a total of 525 – 105 more than the V-8. Thanks to a difference of only 68 pounds, the V10 launches it occupants to 62 mph from a standstill in a mere 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 196 mph (Audi also claims 0-200kph (124.27 mph) with the sequentially shifting R tronic in another 8.1 seconds). Maximum torque of 390.91 lb.-ft. is reached at 6,500 rpm, while redline is a lofty 8,000 revolutions per 60 ticks.

The normally-aspirated engine also features dry sump lubrication as well as FSI common rail gasoline direct injection. The V10 comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, while the aforementioned S tronic is available as an option.

All of this power is handled by drilled and vented disc brakes with a 15 inch diameter in front and 14 in the rear with 4 piston front calipers and 2 pistons aft. Audi also offers the option of a ceramic brake system that will knock off an additional 19.84 total pounds of vehicle weight.

 Show me the money!

The standard equipment list includes heatable seat covers, an information system with navigation as well as a Bang & Olufsen sound system. While prices for the U.S. have yet to be announced, the V10 will be available in Germany in the second quarter of next year at a base price of €142,400 ($181,878 US at current exchange rates).