The all-new successor to the Audi A5 Cabriolet rejoins the recently launched Coupé and five-door Sportback models this week to bring the range back to full strength.

A flick of the switch is all it takes to open the soft top fully automatically in 15 seconds or close it in 18 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph.

The nose is dominated by a three-dimensional Singleframe grille which is flatter and wider than before. The wave-shaped shoulder line – a hallmark styling feature of the entire A5 family. The pronounced flaring over the wheel arches accentuates the quattro DNA. Horizontal lines at the rear is designed to emphasise the width of the new Audi A5 Cabriolet.

The third brake light is integrated into the surrounding trim strip of the hood compartment cover. LED rear lights and optional LED or Matrix LED headlights with “dynamic” indicators at the front and rear make high-end technology visible even after dark.

An updated five-link suspension is used on the front axle. At the rear, a five-link configuration replaces the trapezoidal-link suspension used on the previous model. Adaptive dampers are available as an option. They are incorporated into the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system and allow the driver to choose between a performance driving bias or a more comfort-oriented profile. The newly developed electro-mechanical power steering is designed to offer good feedback from the road and greater steering precision. As an option, dynamic steering which varies its gear ratio depending on the speed and steering angle is available.

The body of the new Audi A5 Cabriolet is claimed to be the stiffest in its class and yet is among the lightest. Thanks to a smart mix of materials and geometric lightweight design, the engineers have increased torsional rigidity by a further 40 percent compared with the previous car. The total weight of the new generation model has been reduced by up to 40 kilograms. The front-wheel-drive A5 Cabriolet with the 187 bhp 2.0 TDI weighs 1,690 kilograms.

Additional struts in the body compared with the Coupé and reinforced sills make up for the absence of a fixed roof. In the event of a crash and rollover, head-thorax side airbags and automatically extending aluminium profiles ensure the occupants’ safety.

There is initially a choice of two diesel engines for the new Audi A5 Cabriolet – a 2.0 TDI with 187 bhp and a 3.0 TDI with 215 bhp. A 3.0 TDI with 282 bhp will join the line-up soon afterwards. Compared with the previous model, the engines offer up to 17 percent more power while consuming as much as 22 percent less fuel.

Six-speed manual transmission, seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission or eight-speed tiptronic – tailor-made drivetrain technology is available for every engine version. The drive is provided as standard via the front wheels; quattro drive with ultra technology and permanent all-wheel drive are available as options. The latter will be a standard feature of the 3.0 TDI with 282 bhp.

The increased dimensions, the wheelbase extended by 14 millimetres and more compact seats increase the space for the driver and passengers. The shoulder room in the front row of seats has been increased by 26 millimetres and the knee-room in the rear by 18 millimetres.

With the hood closed the luggage compartment has a capacity of 380 litres. The soft top compartment in the luggage compartment automatically moves down when opening the soft top and up again when the soft top is closed,  thus providing the largest possible luggage space at all times. The rear seat has a 50:50 split and can be folded forward using levers in the luggage compartment. As standard the tailgate on the A5 Cabriolet now opens automatically – using the remote control key or the button in the driver’s door. Gesture control is also available for the tailgate as an option: A proximity sensor in the bumper responds to a kicking movement with the foot – the tailgate opens automatically once the optional convenience key is detected.

Audi says that thanks to the all-new operating and display concept including natural language voice control and free-text search, the driver can control all functions effortlessly and intuitively. Standard seat belt microphones for driver and front passenger improve voice quality even with the hood open. As an alternative to the analogue instrument dials, there is the Audi virtual cockpit with various display options for the large, high-resolution TFT monitor. The optional head-up display projects all relevant information onto the windshield in the driver’s direct field of vision as easily comprehensible symbols and digits, thus enabling the driver to keep their eyes on the road.

MMI navigation plus with MMI touch tops the infotainment range. Its 8.3-inch monitor has a resolution of 1,024 x 480 pixels. In addition to a DVD drive and a 10 GB flash memory, the high-end system also features two card readers, an AUX-IN connection and a USB connection with charging function.

As part of the Technology Pack, an LTE module provides access to Audi connect online services – free of charge for three years. The first five map updates for the navigation system are also free of charge. The media hub also comes with a Wi-Fi hotspot which connects passengers’ mobile devices to the World Wide Web.

The Audi smartphone interface integrates iOS and Android mobile phones in an environment specially developed for them in the MMI. The Audi phone box connects smartphones to the on-board antenna to provide superior reception quality. It also charges the smartphone inductively, without any wires, using the Qi standard. The Bang & Olufsen Sound System features 3D sound and further improved bass thanks to a second woofer. It opens up the spatial dimension of height and gives the driver the sense of sitting in a concert hall. Its amplifier supplies 755 watts of power in total to 19 loudspeakers.

With up to 30 driver assistance systems, the new Audi A5 Cabriolet offers a broad range of support. A combination of different technologies enhances safety, comfort and efficiency. Meanwhile Audi is also taking the next step toward piloted driving.

Playing a central role here is the adaptive cruise control (ACC) Stop&Go system including traffic jam assist. It relieves drivers in slow-moving traffic up to speeds of 40mph by assuming the tasks of braking and accelerating the car, and it also temporarily takes charge of steering on better roads. The predictive efficiency assistant evaluates GPS information from the car’s immediate surroundings and helps to save fuel by giving specific driving advice.

Collision avoidance assist intervenes if the car needs to drive around an obstacle to avoid an accident. Based on data from the front camera, ACC and radar sensors, it computes a recommended driving line within a fraction of a second. The lineup is rounded out by other assistance systems such as turn assist, park assist, rear cross traffic assist, exit warning, camera-based recognition of traffic signs, Audi active lane assist and Audi side assist.

The specification structure for UK A5 Cabriolet models will follow the same SE, Sport and S line pattern used by the Coupé, bringing features such as alloy wheels in 17 or 18-inch diameters, xenon or LED headlamps, the Audi Smartphone Interface, leather upholstery, front seat heating, acoustic parking and three-zone climate control.

Sport models and above add upgrades such as front sport seats with electric adjustment (Sport and S line) and sports suspension (S line only – optional for Sport), plus extra comforts including SD card-based MMI Navigation and all the features delivered by Audi Connect on an extendable three-month trial basis.