LA MOTOR SHOW: Audi unveils A5 and S5 Cabriolet

Audi has revealed its all-new A5 and S5 Cabriolet ahead of its official unveiling at the LA Motor Show on November 17.

On sale in Europe at the end of this year, it's not known when we'll get our cars Down Under but it's expected the second generation A5 and S5 droptop will arrive in Australia by the middle of 2017.

Like the Coupe, the new convertible version of the A5 is based on the firm's modular longitudinal platform (MLB2) that also underpins both the big Q7 and the A4 sedan and wagon launched earlier this year.

Claimed to have 40 per cent better body rigidity compared to the convertible it replaces, the German car-maker says its new A5 and S5 are among the stiffest in its droptop class, despite weighing around 40kg less than the old model.

It's still no featherweight though, a front-wheel drive A5 Cabriolet with the 140kW 2.0-litre TDI now tips the scales at a still substantial 1690kg.

Joining the Coupe and the five-door Sportback hatch revealed at the Paris motor show, the Cabriolet is expected to be the third and final conclusion to the A5 and S5 family.

Initially, the A5 will be offered with just three engine options.

Kicking off the range is a 140kW 2.0-litre TDI diesel and a 185kW 2.0-litre turbo petrol. At the top of the A5 tree is the 160kW 3.0-litre V6 TDI. All engines are claimed to offer 17 per cent more power while using up to 22 per cent less fuel.

Later on a more powerful 210kW 3.0 TDI will join the range followed by a 140kW 2.0-litre turbo. The more powerful V6 diesel will come with all-wheel drive as standard and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Other models come with the option of the firm’s quattro all-wheel drive and either a six-speed manual or Audi's seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

Audi's flagship S5, meanwhile, gets the powerful 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol. Performance is impressive, combined with the eight-speed auto and quattro all-wheel drive the S5 can reach 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds and top out at a limited 250km/h.

Measuring in at 4673mm long, the new Cab is 47mm longer than the previous version, with a wheelbase stretched 14mm for the benefit of cabin space. Factor in new slimmer seats and Audi claims there's 26mm more shoulder room in the front and 18mm more knee-room for those sitting in the back. Luggage space is decent for the class at 380 litres.

New convenience features for the A5/S5 range include a standard automatic boot lid that's available with an optional gesture function. If you're hands are full, the boot opens if it detect you (and the key) are close with just a wave of your foot beneath the rear bumper.

Inside, like the coupe and Sportback, the Cabriolet comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment system, plus the option of a larger 8.3-inch centrally-mounted screen that can be complemented with the firm's stunning 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display.

As well as offering a mobile WiFi hotspot, the A5 comes with Audi's wireless phone charging that also boosts the phone's reception.

Speaking of which, phone calls on the move roof down also improves over the old model, thanks to new seat belt microphones for the driver and passenger that are claimed to improve sound quality.

Featuring a classic canvas hood, rather than a folding hardtop, Audi claims the A5 or S5 driver can lower the hood in just 15 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h. Raising the hood takes a few seconds more at 18 seconds.

Taking the stress out of driving is the same adaptive cruise control offered in the A4 that can take care of slow moving traffic up to 65km/h by taking care of the accelerating and braking.

A collision avoidance assist system is also claimed to intervene if the car needs to drive around an obstacle to avoid an accident. Using the cruise control's radar and camera it is capable of recommending a driving line within, Audi claims, a fraction of a second.

Pricing for the A5 and S5 are expected post the LA motor show but a small bump in price is expected since the entry level engine will offer more power. The current A5 range begins at around $90,284 (drive-away).