29 February 2012 by Parkers Team

  • Roof can operate at speeds of up to 30mph
  • Boasts one of the largest boots in the sector
  • Audi A5 Cabriolet hits 62mph in 7.6 seconds

You might consider the Audi A5 Cabriolet too left-field as a new company car but it makes more sense than you might imagine.

The Audi A5 is proving a popular car with the fleet masses but what about the Cabriolet version? It's emissions are not overly high, and it’s fairly frugal too, so it could be right up your street if you are a drop-top diehard.

When taking a look at open-top cars the main concerns surround the impracticality of the roof and restricted luggage space.

With the A5 Cabriolet, some of those concerns have been addressed. The fabric hood, as opposed to a metal roof, takes up far less room when folded in the boot and that means the Audi has an impressive load space 360 litres with the top down and 750 litres with the hood in place. It only takes 15 seconds to fold down too.

Compare this to the BMW 3 Series Cabriolet and you’ll see that the Audi comes out on top. The BMW has a load space of 210 litres with the top down and 350 litres when closed, while the the other main rival, the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, has 300 litres with the top open 390 litres when closed.

The Audi is the most practical of these three cars. The boot is easily big enough for a couple of weekend bags and the rear seats can be folded forward to increase the space. That means that the golf clubs should fit, if that’s your thing.

Another bonus is that roof can be folded up or down at speeds of up to 30mph - that’s far faster than those in other convertibles. If you get caught out in a sudden downpour then you should be able to get the hood closed quickly and remain dry.

Even with the roof down the A5 is great for cruising. There’s plenty of room to cater for four adults, while the wind deflector (standard on S line trim) keeps buffeting to a minimum when travelling at 40mph plus.

The A5 Cabriolet shares its interior with the A5 Coupe. The materials are of exceptionally high quality and the layout is driver-focused. When choosing the flagship S line trim you’ll be pleased to find that there are plenty of gadgets to keep you entertained while on the move.

Does the Audi A5 Cabriolet make financial sense?

This car emits 138g/km of CO2 putting it in the 22% Benefit-in-Kind tax band. In S Line trim it has a P11d value of £39,755, which means a 40% tax payer will spend £292 per month on the Audi A5 Cabriolet. A reasonable amount for an executive looking for some wind-in-the-hair motoring.

Fuel economy is a claimed 54.3mpg on the combined cycle, which represents a theoretical maximum range of 752 miles for one tank of diesel.

On the road the Audi A5 Cabriolet, powered by a 201bhp 3.0 diesel engine and coupled with a multitronic automatic gearbox, performed well. It can get from zero to 62mph in 7.6 seconds and has an achievable top speed of 143mph. Overtaking is simple thanks to the 420Nm of pulling power available between 1,250 and 3,500rpm.

Comfy motorway cruising is the name of the game for the Audi A5 Cabriolet. It's not for outright driving enthusiasts, but you can still tailor the A5 Cabriolet to suit your style thanks to the optional Audi Drive Select system. One system enhances the steering response, while the other allows you to change electronic damper control with three different suspension settings.

A cabriolet may not be your first choice for a company car but it will give you lots of kudos in the car park. It'll be ideal the coming summer months too.

 

Also consider:

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
Offers seating for four and a good-sized boot. Soft-top gives extra load space. 

BMW 3 Series Cabriolet
One of the most desirable models in the BMW line-up. It combines effortless elegance, everyday practicality and great handling.

Volvo C70 Cabriolet
The Volvo boasts a complex folding three-piece hardtop in place of a cheaper fabric roof. This helps benefit weatherproofing and security while raising refinement.