Paris show: Audi reveals RS5 Cabriolet

AUDI revealed the hardcore new RS5 V8 cabriolet in a live online video overnight ahead of its public debut at the Paris motor show on September 27 – but an Australian launch is not confirmed.

A new addition to the Audi global range, the topless RS5 is powered by the same fire-breathing 4.2-litre FSI V8 as its hardtop RS5 sibling and has a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 4.9 seconds.

However, it is unclear at this stage when the car will emerge in Australia to sit atop the 21-variant A5 range alongside the refreshed $161,400 RS5 coupe launched last month.

Audi Australia corporate communications executive Shaun Cleary told GoAuto that no decision had been made concerning the local launch and that it remained under evaluation.

If the car does eventually come here – and speculation suggests this could be around mid 2013 – it would take the Australian A5 range (comprising sedan, coupe and cabriolet body styles) up to a staggering 22 variants.

As with the RS5 coupe, the soft-top’s 4.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine develops 331kW of power at a screaming 8250rpm and 430Nm of torque between 4000 and 6000rpm.

The 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds is four-tenths slower than the coupe, but the electronically limited top speed is the same at 250km/h.

As with the hardtop, Audi will disengage the limiter on request, upping the performance ceiling to 280km.

Like the coupe, the RS5 convertible gets a new and more efficient electromechanical power steering system and a honed seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

Underneath is the same quattro all-wheel drive system that can distribute up to 70 per cent of engine torque to the front wheels or 85 per cent to the rear, with a rear-biased default setting of 60 per cent.

Combined fuel consumption is listed as 10.9 litres per 100km – 0.4L/100km more than the coupe.

To cope with the loss of rigidity in the transition from coupe and convertible, Audi added extra body reinforcements, and counteracted the weight gain with new lightweight aluminium front fenders.

The drag coefficient is kept to a respectable 0.34Cd thanks to special underbody panels.

The RS5 sits on 20mm lower sports suspension than other A5 convertible variants and gets stiffer mounts and larger anti-roll bars, as well as standard 10-spoke 19-inch forged aluminium wheels.

The redesigned ventilated disc brakes – 365mm at the front – feature a special weight-saving wave-shaped friction rings and motorsport-style aluminium brake pots that save around 3kg.

Carbonfibre-reinforced ceramic front discs with six piston calipers are an option, while the stability control system at each corner can be completely deactivated with a special sport mode.

The RS5 soft-top is further differentiated from its lesser siblings by LED tail lights, a different rear bumper, higher front and rear diffusers, honeycomb grille inserts, twin exhausts and subtle matte carbon rear spoiler.

The lightweight fabric electric roof opens in 15 seconds and closes in 17 seconds, operates at up to 50km/h, features more foam sound-deadening and comes in a range of contrasting colours.

Inside the cabin is a standard racing-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, the improved MMI satellite-navigation unit from the coupe, special black dials (including a lap timer), leather and Alcantara sports seats, aluminium trim highlights and special RS badges.