?? Were you aware ??

The new Audi A5 Cabriolet is available from May.

Based on the Audi A5 Coupe, the fabric roof A5 Cabriolet will hold onto its value better than any other cabriolet in the class, predicts used car valuer CAP.

“Traditionally, the A4 Cabriolet has always done well on used values,” explained CAP’s Martin Ward. “You see plenty of successful business owners driving them. And I don’t see any reason why that trend won’t continue with the new A5 Cabriolet, especially as the supply of new A5 Cabriolets will be less than the outgoing A4 Cabriolet. It should ensure contract hire rates are competitive for the new model.”

How cabriolets compare on retained value

• Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Cabriolet 41%
• BMW 325i SE Coupe 38%
• Mercedes CLK 200k Coupe Elegance 35%
• Volvo C70 2.4 SE 28%
• Source: CAP Monitor April 2009, at three years/60,000 miles

At launch the A5 Cabriolet will be available with three engine options: 2.0 TFSI and 3.2 FSI V6 petrol units; and a 3.0 V6 TDI. Later a 2.0 TDI model will join the range.

Both the 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI A5 Cabriolets will feature fuel-saving stop/start technology.

There will be three grades, depending on engine choice: standard; SE; and S line.

Standard specification includes anti-skid ESP; front fog lights; climate control; fully automatic hood operation. SE models gain 17 inch alloy wheels; Milano leather seats; wind deflector; and colour Driver Information System (DIS). S line models have 18 inch alloys; sports suspension; xenon headlights with LED front and rear lights.

Audi A5 Cabriolet: launch prices

• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI 211PS £29,795
• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI 211PS SE £31,645
• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI 211PS S line £34,095

• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI 211PS multitronic auto £31,215
• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI 211PS SE multitronic £33,065
• Audi A5 Cabrio 2.0 TFSI 211PS S line multitronic £35,515

• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI 211PS quattro S tronic£32,705
• Audi A5 Cabrio 2.0 TFSI 211PS quattro S tronic SE £34,555
• Audi A5 Cab 2.0 TFSI 211PS q’ro S tronic S line £37,005

• Audi A5 Cabrio 3.2 FSI 265PS multitronic auto SE £36,360
• Audi A5 Cabrio 3.2 FSI 265PS S tronic S line £38,810

• Audi A5 Cabrio 3.2 FSI 265PS quattro S tronic SE £37,825
• Audi A5 Cab 3.2 FSI 265PS q’ro S tronic S line £40,275

• Audi A5 Cabrio 3.0 TDI 240PS quattro S tronic SE £37,935
• Audi A5 Cab 3.0 TDI 240PS q’ro S tronic S line £40,385

Audi A5 Cabriolet: when do they arrive?

• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI 170PS Sep 2009
• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI 170PS quattro Sep 2009
• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI 180PS Sep 2009
• Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI 180PS multitronic Sep 2009
• Audi S5 V6 TFSI Cabriolet 333PS Sep 2009

Further information

Click on the highlighted link to read a road test of the Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI S line

Click on the highlighted link to read a road test of the Audi A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TDI quattro S line S tronic

For further comment on the new range of Audi models arriving in the UK read the Editor’s Blog New models fuel Audi future

For further comment on the Audi A5 Cabriolet, read the Editor’s Blog Testing the roof on the Audi A5 Cabriolet