Audi A5 Cabriolet: roof can be raised or lowered while on the move at up to 31mph. But tested by Audi at speeds up to 90mph
Conversation with Henry Williams, A5 product manager
I had dinner with Henry Williams during the launch event for the new Audi A5 Cabriolet.
Henry is the product manager for the A4 and A5 models in the Audi range – in other words he’s the person making sure the correct models are brought to the UK with the correct specification.
During dinner, Henry told me more about the roof system on the new A5 Cabriolet. This is something about which they feel mighty pleased because of its usability. The fabric roof can be raised or lowered while you are driving – at speeds of up to 31mph. Unlike the metal folding roof on the BMW Convertible, which you have to stop before the operation can be performed.
However, Henry said, to make sure the roof always performed, the Audi engineers tested it at speeds up to 150km/h – or 90mph! “We had to do this just in case a driver was trying to close the roof at 30mph but was driving into a headwind – which puts much more pressure on the system,” Henry explained.
Another clever item is this: the climate control has a two stage setting. You can set it for roof closed – say 21 degrees – and roof open – perhaps 25 degrees. Which is one of those comfort surprise and delight items.
When the Audi A5 Cabriolet 2.0-litre models arrive, both petrol turbo and diesel turbo, they will be equipped with fuel-saving stop/start technology. This will also include a fuel-efficiency programme delivered through the Driver Information System dash display.
“Basically it monitors all energy consumables in the car,” explained Henry. “So if the rear heated window is on, for example, it will remind the driver this is the case and the energy to be saved by turning it off.”
This seems like an excellent idea. A little nudge from the car as a reminder. Sometimes I have the air conditioning on in my Audi A4 but don’t always need it on. You just don’t check those things all the time. It’s rather similar to everybody switching off lights when they don’t need them. This adds up to a considerable energy saving in total. The fuel efficiency programme performs a similar function. Little bits all add up. Neat idea.
