Audi kicked off 2017 with the world premiere of the Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet
AUDI kicked off 2017 by showcasing its prowess at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, where the marque unveiled some of this year’s innovation highlights.
The Audi Q8 concept car and the world premiere of the Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet were all on display to demonstrate the superior innovation, design and technology synonymous with the premium car-maker.
Unsurpassed prestige and sportiness – that’s what the Audi Q8 concept represents. It combines the typical spaciousness of an SUV with the emotional styling of a coupé.
Audi is tapping into a new segment in the full-size category as well as offering a preview of its future direction in design styling with this concept car. Many elements are reminiscent of Audi’s original Ur-quattro from the 1980s, including the exceptionally flat and wide C pillars as well as the powerful, flared shoulders over the wheels.
Despite the flat roofline, the show car offers plenty of room for four people as well as lots of luggage, with its broad lines creating a sporty yet elegant interior. The new control concept relies on large touchscreens, supplemented with an enhanced Audi virtual cockpit and a contact analogue head-up display that uses intelligent augmented reality technology to merge virtual indicators with the real world.
For example, a navigation arrow will appear in the same position as an actual arrow on the street. The drive system and suspension feature high-end technologies from volume production. The powerful and highly efficient plug-in hybrid of the Audi Q8 concept provides total system output of 330 kW and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque. Power is delivered via quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Air suspension and ceramic brake discs round out an impressive technology package. The concept car is the basis for a production model that Audi will introduce into the market in 2018.
Following the launch of the Coupé and Sportback, Audi is completing the A5 family with the new A5/S5 Cabriolet for the first time in Detroit. Its design is based on the sleek lines of the Coupé. The rear window is now flatter and emphasizes the sporty looks, as do the short overhangs and the long wraparound hood with power dome.
The classic soft top delivers outstanding aeroacoustics and now has a convenient opening function: Just a quick pull of the switch is all it takes to open or close the soft top fully automatically – even while driving up to 50 km/h (31.1 mph). Also included in the new A5/S5 Cabriolet are the latest technical connectivity features and driver assistance systems. The quattro drive provides the midsize Cabriolet superb traction and dynamic handling. Adaptive dampers are available as an option.
They are incorporated into the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system and allow the driver to choose between a sporty or comfortable driving experience. New engines for the Audi S5 offer powerful performance, with 190 hp in the 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI, and 354 hp in the 3.0 TFSI. The new midsize Cabriolet will be available in dealerships nationwide from March.