2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet Lockhart TX

October 15, 2009   By Jon Alain Guzik, Editor-in-Chief

2010 Audi S5

2010 Audi S5
DriverSide Overview
If you’re buying a car based purely on style, look no farther than the 2010 Audi S5 . According to Audi, much like the Q7 SUV, the S5 was designed with the intention of invoking an aggressive and emotional style in buyers. With beauty being in the eye of the beholder, whether or not you buy into that philosophy is up to you; but there’s no doubting the S5’s ability to turn heads. The S5 experience is more than skin deep though; it’s got some attitude to it as well, with a new supercharged V-6 powerplant in cabriolet form that offers up brisk pace whenever you feel the desire to move at a faster clip. With its sleek, contemporary lines, high-quality interior and powerband that doesn't need to be revved to the redline to deliver plenty of grunt, it’s difficult not to be won over by Audi’s new performance cab.



2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet



2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet



2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet
What's to Like
Interior quality is amongst the best in the industry. The fast-folding roof means you don't have to pull over to deploy the tonneau. Quattro all-wheel drive makes the S5 the sports convertible of choice in snow-laden locales – just keep the heater cranked.

What's Not to Like
North American buyers are likely to want the V-8 that remains present in the S5 coupe, regardless of the increase in fuel economy provided by the V-6. Lack of a manual transmission option is mildly disappointing, although we do appreciate the use of a dual-clutch gearbox over a traditional slush-o-matic.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Once behind the wheel of the S5, you’ll find if difficult not to mash the throttle, over and over again. Sudden acceleration is paired with a six-cylinder soundtrack and supercharger whine, but you have to listen closely to detect it. The S5 doesn’t accelerate with rampant violence, but with a fluidity of power that’s perfectly balanced with the car’s dimensions and upscale demeanor. Get the S5 out on a back road and the brakes quickly dispatch any straightaway acceleration, and the steering is direct and predictable, though there’s a minor delay between your turn-in and the car’s. Feedback at the helm is somewhat vague, though the prodigious grip offered by Quattro all-wheel drive makes the S5 an easy car to drive at speed.

Engine and Drivetrain
Audi’s new convertible is powered by a a supercharged and direct injected V-6, which makes 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque at a low 2,900 rpm. The only transmission offered is a fast-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, driving all four wheels via Quattro all-wheel drive.

Interesting Vehicle Features and Options

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