New premium performance offerings from Audi

Two hot new models have arrived in local Audi dealerships. The S5 Cabriolet comes to us with a supercharged V6 developing 245kW of power and the TT RS is powered by an exclusive five-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 250kW of power.

Neither car is inexpensive, although in the market for collectible, high-performance sports machines a price under $140,000 will seem like good value for some buyers. The S5 Cabrio (a soft-top version of the A5 Coupe with the high performance mechanicals signified by the S5 moniker) will sell here for $138,100 and the ask for the TT RS is $133,700.

"The engine, introduced for the first time, earlier this year when we launched the new Audi S4, was received very, very well," says John Roberts, Audi's Product Planning Development Manager of the S5's engine. "Here we have pretty much the same engine technology and performance figures."

The V6 engine powering the S5 Cabriolet is a direct-injection powerplant displacing 3.0 litres. As well as producing 245kW, the engine whips up 440Nm of torque, but uses 24 per cent less fuel than the car it effectively succeeds, the S4 Cabriolet. That's 9.7L/100km in combined-cycle testing. With its responsive performance -- peak torque is available across a rev range from 2900 to 5300rpm -- the S5 Cabriolet can reach 100km/h from a standing start in 5.6 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

As with other Audi V-configuration engines, the V6 in the S5 Cabriolet relies on the chain drive for its DOHC valvetrain being located at the rear of the engine to allow a more compact design. The supercharger is integrated with the inlet manifold and incorporates an intercooler for each of the cylinder banks.

Only the one transmission is available for this vehicle, a seven-speed S Tronic unit, which drives longitudinally to the car's quattro all-wheel drive system. The quattro drive system provides added safety in slippery conditions, ensuring that drive is spread appropriately. According to Audi, the quattro drive will transmit 85 per cent of the total available torque to the rear wheels, when required, or up to 65 per cent of torque to the front wheels. The S5 Cabriolet rides on 245/40 tyres and 18-inch alloy wheels. Suspension is by way of MacPherson struts at the front and a 'four-link' independent system at the rear, with the Audi Magnetic Ride dampers controlling the ride and handling.

"Audi [is] staying with the classic fabric top with the A5 Cabriolet range and of course now, that carries over to the S5 Cabriolet, so there are a lot of benefits with the fabric soft top..." says Roberts.

The S5 Cabriolet's fabric folding roof can open in 15 seconds and close in 17 -- even on the move, up to 50km/h -- but its main claim to fame is the improved packaging it allows, when measured against similarly-sized cars fitted with a folding steel roof. Even with the top down, the S5 Cabriolet can accommodate 320 litres of luggage in the boot. Folding rear seats liberate a further 430 litres (750 litres in total). 

Being a convertible with a cloth-trimmed folding roof, the S5 Cabriolet doesn't come with the de rigeur side-curtain airbags, but side-impact airbags have been configured to provide protection for the head as well as the thorax for driver and front passenger.

Among the car's standard features are: electrically-adjustable/heated front seats trimmed in Alcantara, brushed-aluminium decorative trim, Audi's MMI Navigation Plus system, three-zone climate control, xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, Advanced key access and parking sensors.

Even more focused on sports driving, the TT RS revives memories of Audi's rally-winning heritage from the 1980s, thanks to its inspirational five-cylinder engine.

"The new TT RS is really a combination of all of our competencies in terms of our technology," says Roberts, listing them as: "of course quattro permanent four-wheel drive features; the lightweight design with the aluminium space frame technology, FSI direct injection, our turbocharging and of course, the return of the five-cylinder engine."

Maximum power output for the direct-injected, turbocharged five-cylinder is 250kW and torque peaks at 450Nm between 1600 and 5300rpm. Acceleration to 100km/h from a standing start takes just 4.6 seconds and the TT RS is electronically governed to a top speed of 250km/h. Combined-cycle fuel consumption for the eagerly-awaited TT variant is 9.2L/100km.

The engine, which has been designed for a compact application, drives through a standard six-speed transmission to a quattro all-wheel drive system, but one with a Haldex-style, electronically controlled coupling for the rear wheels. Audi offers the TT RS with a standard 'Sport' button to deliver more dynamic response from the engine under load and provide a sportier 'soundtrack', as well as adjusting the car's Magnetic Ride dampers to a sport mode.

As for other TT models, the TT RS is built based on Audi's Space Frame for lighter weight and improved strength. The ASF features aluminium in front and steel sheet behind for a kerb mass of 1450kg. Riding 10mm lower than other TT variants -- on 19-inch alloys and 255/35 tyres -- the TT RS boasts a premium braking system, with 370mm diameter front disc rotors and 312mm diameter rear discs.

While the TT RS is available in Germany as a Roadster model also, Australian consumers will only have the option of buying the car in coupe form. Standard equipment for Australian-delivered examples includes: Black fine Nappa leather trim for the front bucket seats, Audi MMI system with DVD-based Navigation Plus, a flat-bottomed leather multi-function sports steering wheel, a boost pressure indicator, an oil temperature gauge, a lap timer, climate control air conditioning, and xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights.

Audi expects to move 100 units of the S5 Cabriolet and 80 of the TT RS in Australia for the first 12 months.

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