Audi RS5 Cabriolet (2012) first official pictures

Audi has taken its tin-opener to the RS5, to create this RS5 Cabriolet. Powertrain-wise, it's mechanically identical to the coupe, only now there's a soft-top roof that'll fold away in 15secs at speeds of up to 31mph. 

Folding the roof swallows 60 litres of the boot's 380-litre capacity, but it's the sonorous engine that we're more interested in...

The drivetrain is unchanged from the hard-top RS5. A normally-aspirated 444bhp 4.2-litre V8 drives all four wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The car is suspended on Audi's adaptive dampers that can vary the ride comfort to suit sporty driving, and there's dynamic modes for the steering and throttle response, too.

The RS5 hits 6.2mph in 4.9secs, giving it a 0.4sec disadvantage against its hard-top sister. The top speed is limited to 155mph, though you can pay to have that raised to 174mph if you're an autobahn regular.

Of course, the RS5 Cabriolet is slightly less focused than its hard-top cousin – customers will prefer wind-in-the-hair to driving like their hair is on fire – but top-down motoring provides an even better showcase for the rev-happy V8.

Audi hasn't provided figures specific denoting the weight gain of the RS5 cabriolet over the coupe, but cunningly hints in its specifications release that 'each hp only needs to move 4.267 kg of vehicle weight'. By our maths, 4.627kg x 450hp (444bhp in good old imperial speak) works out at 1920kg – 200kg more than an RS5 coupe.

To readjust the weight distribution, the RS5 Cabriolet gets aluminium front wings to save weight. The rest of the aggressive body mods are familiar from the RS5 coupe, with the same front bumper, trademark RS oval exhaust outlets, and blistered arches. One weight-saving innovation from the RS4 Avant to make it onto the RS5 is the mountain bike-esque petal-shaped brake discs. The wavey-edged stoppers save 3kg of unsprung mass.

UK pricing hasn't been announced yet, but in Germany the RS5 cab will start at €88,500, so reckon on a £70k+ price tag when the car lands in your local Blighty Audi dealer.

By Ollie Kew