Another Paris Auto Show attendee has been revealed today in the form of the all-new Audi RS5 Cabriolet.
As the open-top version of the RS5 Coupe, the Cabriolet gets the same suite of performance and mechanical upgrades including a 4.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine that generates 444hp (450PS) at 8,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 430Nm (318 lb-ft) between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm.
The V8 is hooked up to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, which under normal driving conditions, distributes torque between the front and rear axles at a 40:60 ratio, but if necessary, it can direct up to 70 percent to the front or a maximum of 85 percent to the rear.
Being heavier than the RS5 Coupe, the Cabriolet variant is slightly slower completing the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.9 seconds (vs. 4.5 sec), while top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h (155mph), though Audi can boost this to 280 km/h (174 mph) upon request.
The V8 has a combined fuel consumption of 10.9 lt/100 km (21.6 US mpg or 25.9 UK mpg).
Chassis upgrades include a 20mm lower body than the regular A5 Cabriolet, along with a tauter suspension setup with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), a performance brake system with 365 mm disc up front (optionally, Audi offers carbon fiber-reinforced ceramic front discs and six-piston calipers), and an ESC stabilization system with a Sport mode that can be completely deactivated.
On the outside, the RS5 Cabriolet receives the same styling treatment as the Coupe with wheel housing extensions, 19-inch forged aluminum wheels with 265/35 tires or optionally, 20-inch rims with 275/30 tires, bespoke front grille and bumpers, side skirts, a boot lid spoiler and a rear diffuser incorporating two large oval exhaust pipes.
The same goes for the interior that gets a flat-bottom steering wheel, sport seats upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara or in the optional black or lunar silver Fine Nappa leather, chrome highlights, high-gloss black trim and carbon inlays.
The RS5 convertible's top that is electrically operated, opens and closes at the press of a button in 15 seconds and 17 seconds respectively at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph).
Customer deliveries in Europe will begin in early 2013, with prices in its home market of Germany to start at €88,500 (equal to $111,500), or €10,300 more than the RS5 Coupe.
Audi hasn't said if it will offer the new RS5 Cabriolet in North America.
8 Comments:
I'm no engineer but it seems to me you'll never be able to use the full 444hp because it's only available at 8,250 rpm which is essentially the redline. I guess it's just marketing and hp wars.
crap..
The RS5 is a beautiful car w/ great sound however its steep price of entry at $111K seals its fate and places its key competitor the BMW 6 series & M6 convertible as a much better buy for someone in the market. Audi's next generation of vehicles should be interesting from a design & performance standpoint if they can build upon the existing models but for now nearly every other luxury coupe in this category trumps the RS5 convertible.
You have to take into the account that for that price you get AWD and quite a bit more equipment than what you get on a M3 or a C63AMG.
Love the design. But the performance isn't nearly good enough compared to the other cars it's up against. Both the coupe and the cabrio should have 0-60 times in the low 4's or high 3's.
If Nash still built cars they would look like this.
If Nash still built cars they would look like this
I really like it, but for 110 grand, I think I'd buy a Nissan GTR and live without the convertible top.
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