2nd AUDI A5 2.0 TDI

Latest Audi soft-top looks great and scores on refinement and costs. If only it had more clever cabrio touches

THE A5 Cabriolet made its debut in 2007, but after a decade in service it has finally been replaced by an all-new second-generation model. Based on the same scalable MLB platform as the A5 Coupé and A4 saloon, the newcomer is lighter, more efficient and faster than the old car.

The 187bhp 2.0-litre TDI is used throughout the range, and in combination with the seven-speed S tronic auto box and launch control, it allowed the Audi to cover 0-60mph in 8.0 seconds, which was just a tenth down on the four-wheel-drive Mercedes.

The A5 turned the tables during our third, fourth and fifth-gear tests, where it was quicker than its rival. However, extremely tall sixth and seventh ratios meant the car was sluggish from 50-70mph; our test track’s straight wasn’t long enough for the new Audi Cabriolet to record a time in top gear.

In the real world this means the car is turning 1,500rpm at 70mph and it struggles to settle on a gear when cruising, because the gearbox often kicks down at the slightest touch of the throttle.

Still, at least the gearchanges are swift and slick, while the TDI has the edge here for smoothness.

Turn in to a corner and it’s clear the Cabriolet can’t match its Coupé cousin for rigidity. Even so, the stiffer MLB platform means it remains impressively composed over rough surfaces. There’s some shimmy through the chassis, particularly in bumpy bends, but it’s far from intrusive. Grip is also plentiful, and our car’s £600 optional adaptive dampers delivered decent body control in their sportiest setting.

In Comfort mode the Audi had the edge for ride comfort as well. Large potholes and ridges sent a shudder through the cabin, but most of the time the new A5 did a good job of soaking up bumps in the surface.

Refinement is also impressive, and with the triple-layer Acoustic hood in place the car was as quiet on the move as the Mercedes.

Lowering the roof requires nothing more than a touch of a button, but it took nearly a second and half longer to stow than the Mercedes’, at 19.9 seconds. Occupants aren’t as well protected from buffeting as they are in the C-class, either. The Audi is available with a £600 wind break, but the manually set up unit is fiddly to install and doesn’t allow you to use the rear seats once in place. And while heated front chairs are standard, there’s no option to add a Mercedes-style Airscarf system.

On the plus side, the Audi’s rear bench offers more head and legroom for passengers, while its 380-litre boot is bigger and better shaped.