We wouldn’t blame the Audi A5 Cabriolet for feeling a little insecure right about now, because its younger sibling, the A3 Cabriolet, has rolled into town with a serious swagger in its step.
You see, the second-generation A3 Cabriolet is quite from its predecessor. It rides on the VW Group’s super-capable MQB underpinnings, has a snazzy new MMI infotainment system and, most importantly, now bears an uncanny resemblance to the A5. We’re talking about its new coupe-like silhouette, to say nothing of how it’s more confident around corners and more refined than before.
It has shed its rather cutesy image (what with its hatchback-esque appearance) and now looks like a proper “three-box” coupe, or in other words, disturbingly like the A5 Cabriolet. Compared to the old A3 Cabriolet, the new one is a whopping 183mm longer. In fact, on cursory inspection, and despite how the A5 is 205mm longer, the two topless siblings could even look identical.
And it isn’t just the fact that the A5 is physically longer, as it’s also longer in the tooth. Granted, it was facelifted a couple of years ago – it now sports new headlight and tail-light clusters (including a set of LED daytime running lights) plus some bodywork revisions, but underneath those cosmetic improvements, the A5 is essentially the same car that made its local debut in 2009.
While five years may not seem like a long time, it’s an eternity in modern automotive terms. As with smartphones, your iPhone 3 may have been hot stuff five years ago, but pick it up again today and you’ll probably be wondering how you ever managed to get by with something so sluggish and with a screen that small.
Similarly, we remember cooing over the interior of the A5 when it made its debut. “How modern it looks”, we remember saying, and “Just look at the infotainment system’s gorgeous interface”. Looking at it today, we don’t feel the same way, and that’s putting it mildly.
Then of course, there’s the way the A5 handles, which feels distinctly last-gen, despite the dramatic improvement in its ride quality following the last update. The “senior citizen” is nose-heavy, and suffers scuttle shake, which manifests as a tremor resonating through the chassis..
The A3 Cabriolet thrashes the A5 Cabriolet soundly when it comes to such measureable aspects. Even though it sits below the A5 in the model hierarchy, the materials used in its interior seem more upmarket. To top it all off, the A3’s MMI infotainment system, with its razor-sharp graphics and lightning-quick operation, is light-years ahead of the previous-generation system used in the A5.
And it isn’t just in the “toys department” that the A3 comes out on top – come to think of it, the smaller car can also run rings around the A5. Its new MQB architecture means it’s far stiffer, betraying only the barest hint of scuttle shake. Yes, the A3 might be a smaller and lighter car, meaning it’s naturally more nimble, but even if you were to discount that fact, the “lesser” member of the Audi cabriolet lineup is a good deal more confidence-inspiring.
But suppose you’re more interested in straight-line performance. After all, the remit of a convertible is more leisurely pursuits, like cruising down Orchard Road and engaging in impromptu drag races.
On that front, the A5 is the clear champion here. With a 2-litre turbocharged 4-pot that delivers 211bhp, it gets from a standstill to 100km/h in a creditable 7.3 seconds, while the A3 does the same benchmark sprint in a languid 10.2 seconds, largely down to how its 1.4-litre engine has a 100bhp deficit over the A5.
But while the A5 may have won that particular fight, the biggest blow to its cause comes in the form of its relatively large price tag – it costs $297,450, which isn’t too unreasonable when it comes to a convertible from a luxury marque… until you consider prices for the A3 start at nearly $100,000 less.
On balance, it might seem that the A3 is better in every conceivable way, which would probably lead to the question of why anyone would even give the A5 (especially in its “aged” state now) a second look.
Now, hold on to that thought, because that second look is precisely the reason why the A5 is still in with a shout. While the A3 and A5 may look more similar than ever, put them side by side and the A3, in spite of its “growth spurt”, still looks a little toy-like. Hardly something that’s becoming of a head-turner.
Furthermore, with the A5 nearing the end of its life cycle (we think its successor should be announced towards the end of this year or in early 2016), there might be some bargains to be had, which should make its large-ish asking price a little easier to swallow.
For the keener driver, the gadget freak and those working on a bit of a budget, the choice is clear: it’s the A3 Cabriolet or nothing. However, if it’s road presence you desire and a car that says you’ve arrived every time you arrive, it’ll have to be the A5 Cabriolet.
AUDI A3 CABRIOLET 1.4 (A)
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE 1395cc, 16-valves, inline-4, turbocharged
MAX POWER 125bhp at 5000-6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 200Nm at 1400-4000rpm
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100KM/H 10.2 seconds
TOP SPEED 211km/h
CONSUMPTION 19.6km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 119g/km
PRICE INCL. COE $196,500 (after $15k CEVS rebate)
AUDI A5 CABRIOLET 2.0 (A)
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE 1984cc, 16-valves, inline-4, turbocharged
MAX POWER 211bhp at 4300-6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 350Nm at 1500-4200rpm
GEARBOX 7-speed dual-clutch with manual select
0-100KM/H 7.3 seconds
TOP SPEED 238km/h
CONSUMPTION 13.9km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 164g/km
PRICE INCL. COE $297,450 (no CEVS rebate/surcharge)
