• Published On: 31 October 2017
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The new Audi A5 arrived in India in three different flavours, we drive the A5 Cabriolet version to see how good it is.

The A5 Cabriolet comes here in its Euro-spec avatar - Quattro all-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre diesel engine. This one looks the most different of them all, and particularly, in this Gotland Green paint shade with the brick red fabric roof, it’s one of the prettiest versions of the A5 you can get in India.

On the Inside

On the inside, you can realistically seat four adults in relative comfort, sure six-footers probably wouldn’t be as comfortable, but the back bench is quite spacious overall. Headroom with the roof in place, however, is not the best. Rear passengers get their own AC vents and temperature control. There’s a decent 380-litre-sized boot - once you’ve lowered the roof, you will end up eating up 60 litres. In this car, you could easily pack enough for a weekend trip for a 2+2 family.

This car comes fitted with high-quality leather, thick carpets and un-veneered wood. Some of the trim is part of the S-line package, which is optional. A lot of the goodies you get on this car are optional extras, like the Virtual Cockpit digital dials, LED headlamps, navigation, flat-bottom steering and the Bang & Olufsen sound system. As standard, you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and microphones built into the front seatbelts, so your voice is audible even with the roof down.

How Does it Drive?

When you start the engine, there’s a big rattle initially that settles down to a grumbly note. But this noise settles down once you’re on the go. Once you’re cruising refinement is really impressive – it’s one of the most silent four-cylinder diesels around. The engine itself performs rather well, its 400Nm is a good amount to shove this convertible around. Combined with its quick-shifting DSG gearbox and Quattro AWD, you get seamless and effortless performance. The 190hp 2.0 TDI has enough power to match this car’s flashy exterior. The soft-top roof does a commendable job of keeping road noise out. You can put the top up in 18sec and this can be done at speeds up to 50kph.

The suspension is really well calibrated, and this car isn’t as bouncy or floaty as the A4. The car is even decently composed around corners too.

Should I Buy One?

The Audi A5 Cabriolet ticks most of the right boxes - it’s got a superbly appointed interior, a beautiful exterior and a strong equipment list (with a host of optional extras). It’s got decent space for four and their minimal luggage, and a comfortable ride. The diesel engine is quiet on the move and has more than enough performance on tap. The A5 Cabriolet TDI Quattro makes for a superb second car to own.