JHF
Driving Dynamics Pro
The second-generation of Audi's A5 Cabriolet has been photographed for the first time while undergoing road testing. In these photos, there's no measuring equipment on the wheels, and the driver looks totally relaxed, so even though testing started half a year after the coupe, the convertible could come out at the same time.
Like the A4 sedan and wagon, the A5 will seem like a minor evolution of its former self, not a huge departure regarding styling. However, the front end will look different to the A4 because the rectangular headlights will be connected directly to a large grille with a brushed aluminum look. Wondering what that will look like? Just have a quick glance at the Q3 facelift.
We're hoping the A5 won't suffer the same gigantic weight gains when transitioning from fixed-roof to soft-top as the A3 Cabriolet. However, even the BMW 4 Series put on about 200 kilograms (440 lbs) when this change was made, so we can't be too optimistic.
Our spy photographers also managed to take a snap of the new interior. It looks identical to the A5's coupe cabin, and that's because they're the same car. We're dealing with Audi's trademark attention to details and sober black and metallic finishes.
The biggest difference between the A4 and A5's cabins will be the bolstering of the seats and the fact that the MMI controller is in front of the gear shifter.
The fact that it says "quattro" on the dash is a clear indicator that this prototype has all-wheel-drive. We also think that we know which engine is being tested - the 2.0 TFSI. That's because, on the A4, all the diesels have the exhaust on one side, even the most powerful 3.0 TDI with 272 PS. But here, the pipes are symmetrically laid out on both sides of the car.
Of course, we could be wrong. The little TT coupe and roadster models all have twin exhaust systems as a tribute to the R8. Audi could decide to do the same for all two-door models going forward.
The new S5 Cabriolet, which hasn't yet been tested, will come with a 3-liter V6 with a single turbo, while the RS5 will either have a twin-turbo V6 or one that uses a conventional turbo and an electric supercharger.
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/s...briolet-spied-for-the-first-time-101584.html#
