The RS 5 Cabriolet ditches a fixed roof in favor of a folding soft top, but little else changes in its transition from coupe to convertible. Power still is still provided by a naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8, which is rated at a healthy 450 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. Audi again pairs this engine to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and -- predictably -- its Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Depending on conditions, that driveline can send as much as 70 percent of the engine's torque to the front axle or 85 percent to the rear, though it typically sends only 60 percent to the rear wheels.
Despite the weight gain (add another 220 pounds to the curb weight) associated with the convertible transformation, the RS 5's performance suffers little. Audi says it can still rocket from 0-62 mph in a scant 4.9 seconds, which is about three-tenths of a second less than the company's official quote for a RS 5 coupe. Although most owners may not care about fuel economy, the cabriolet could come close to the coupe's EPA-rated 16/23 mpg city/highway.
The coupe's 14.4-inch front brakes can be subbed for 15-inch ceramic carbon-fiber discs and the same holds true for the RS 5 cabriolet. As is the case on its fixed-roof sibling, 19-inch wheels are standard, but forged 20-inch rims are optional. The 2013 Audi RS 5 coupe carries a $69,795 price including destination; the drop-top variant will could carry a base price of close to $80,000. An Audi spokesman wasn't willing to confirm the car's future in the U.S., but if it did gain approval to be sold alongside the RS 5 coupe in our market,
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