Motor Lounge | Audi S5 Convertible

2010 Audi S5 Convertible

Aside from being arguably the nicest convertible on the road, the S5 Convertible is designed to straddle the line between pure style and track-inspired performance.

The engine in the S5 Convertible has been changed from the 4.2-liter V8 to a 3.0 supercharged V6, with 333 horsepower. This makes the car lighter and the supercharger actually makes it more nimble on its feet. Therefore, the coupe and convertible have different engines. Both still animals.

The roofless S5 can go from 0-60 in 5.1 seconds according to Audi, although some have recorded a 4.9 second time. The top speed is a staggering 155 mph.

The engine on the S5 Convertible is set further back in the body, this is to help aid weight distribution, and it also provides a more neutral handling feel. This convertible handles beautifully, and looks even prettier when coming down the road.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard, as is Audi's latest Quattro all-wheel-drive, while a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles is available as well.

Like all of Audi's “S” models, the S5 drop top features a full complement of suspension and styling modifications designed to impart a more sporting look and feel. Unique front and rear fascias help the exterior look mean, while the interior gets carbon fiber trim, special seats and a unique steering wheel. Larger brakes and a tightened and lowered suspension help the Z-rated tires deliver the massive power to the pavement.

The S5 Convertible is constructed with a light-weight, insulated cloth folding top rather than a hardtop. This keep the timeless rag top appearance, and Audi offers many different rag top colors to give the car a unique and classy feel.

One of the coolest features of the S5 convertible is you can retract the roof while driving up to 30 mph...an option that is rare amongst most convertibles.

The S5 Cabriolet features active roll bars behind the seats, front airbags, knee airbags, seat-mounted side head/chest airbags, and ESP stability control. The S5 can also be ordered with an available head-level (air scarfs)heating system built into the seats, enabling passengers to drive with the top down in colder weather.

Sirius Satellite Radio connectivity comes standard, as does the 3G MMI (Multi Media Interface), which features 3D map graphics, traffic information, and a joystick-based user interface.

A performance-oriented Sports Rear Differential package with torque vectoring is available as an option as well. This car is a masterpiece, and most are build on an on order basis.

Price: $58,250