Audi A5 2.0 TDI 170 Cabriolet Start/stop: Test Drive Review

Date: 03 September 2009   |   Author:

Audi A5 Convertible

Category: Sports P11D price: £33,650 Key rival: BMW 3-series convertible

It works in the same way as rival systems in that the engine cuts itself when the car's at a standstill with no gear engaged. As with rival systems it works well, is impossible to catch out and provides real benefit for any driver that encounters traffic lights on a commute. Audi has also fitted a recuperation system that stores braking energy in the battery to deploy when the car accelerates again. The net gain is something in the region of 3% fuel economy and 5g/km.

Green virtues aside, the A5, in both coupe and convertible form, is now more attractive to corporate customers thanks to the launch of an entry diesel engine, a 2.0-litre 170PS that, for the record, isn't the entry-level version in the A5 range because there are smaller petrol engines. It is, though, the lowest-emitting model at 148g/km.

The car loses nothing with the addition of this lowest-powered diesel because, in the real-world the reduction in power makes no difference to the driving experience. What matters is that the diesel feels quick and in the mid-range is wonderfully punchy.

The A5 Cabriolet is just about a full four-seater, in that it'll squeeze four adults in, and, when raised, the canvas roof does a very good job of keeping out wind noise.

Decent 45.5% RVs help this version to a 62.2p per mile figure, and the average fuel economy figure is a shade under 50mpg, making the this A5 about as fleet-friendly as prestige convertibles come.

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