The very sporty front section that is typical of an RS and the sporty interior with the MMI touch operating system emphasize the athletic aspirations of a successful model with a legendary lineage. The high-torque twin-turbo V6 with a power output of 331 kW (450 PS) delivers an impressive 600 Nm at the crankshaft in a wide range of speeds from 1,900 to 5,000 revolutions. The special competition packages with coilover suspension, new light alloy wheels, and numerous exclusive accents have been available as options for the first time since the summer. Pricing for the high-performance Avant will start at € 86,000 in Germany.
Large air intakes are embedded in the distinctively shaped front apron whose ends run out into splitter edges. Sill add-ons and wheel housing extensions dominate the car’s appearance in side profile; the tornado line that defines the shoulder of the RS 5 Cabriolet was drawn to look especially sharp. The door mirror housings have an aluminum look, while the surface of the windshield frame and the decorative trim strips of the window channels and the soft top box cover are made of matt anodized aluminum. The lightweight textile roof of the RS 5 Cabriolet spans over the generously proportioned interior space like a low curved dome; a special foam layer in the roof delivers high acoustic comfort. At the press of a button, the soft top opens and closes fully automatically in 15 seconds and 17 seconds respectively – even when driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). When open, it hardly affects the size of the spacious luggage compartment – it only requires 60 liters (2.12 cu ft) of its 380 liters (13.42 cu ft) total volume. The split rear seatbacks can be folded over individually, and a load-through hatch from the trunk to the rear seating area improves variability. Special reinforcements contribute to the convertible body’s high rigidity, and aluminum front fenders compensate for some of the added weight of the reinforcements. Elegant LED light strips illuminate in the taillights, which operate without any conventional incandescent lamps. Like the lights, the rear bumper was also redesigned; its diffuser is now much higher, and a honeycomb screen insert encloses the two large elliptical tailpipes of the exhaust system. On the trunk lid there is a subtle matt carbon spoiler lip for more downforce; it may be painted in the exterior color as an option. The Audi RS 5 Cabriolet measures 4,649 millimeters (15.25 ft) long, 1,860 millimeters (6.10 ft) wide and 1,380 millimeters (4.53 ft) high, and its wheelbase is 2,751 millimeters (9.03 ft).
As with every Audi, the front of the technology study is dominated by the single-frame grill, in this case, in a special version tailored to electrical operation. The upper two-thirds are designed as a closed, folding surface, behind which are the charging socket and the cooling water connection. The four Audi rings are intensively sculpted; the engine hood is permanently bolted to the body. Mounted in the lower section of the single-frame grille, which acts as an air inlet, are highly efficient cooling elements made of graphite foam. The lightweight mineral is an excellent conductor of heat from the water to the ambient air. Eight blocks with six graphite elements each are located in the central air inlet. Another highlight of the A2 concept are the matrix beam LED headlights. An entire bundle of small light-emitting diodes arranged one above the other produce the low beam and high beam light. Microreflectors enable the precise positioning of the light. The LEDs can be switched on and off independently to illuminate the road perfectly in any situation. Numerous mini-LEDs set in the lower section of the headlight like a pearl necklace produce the daytime running light. The side view of the technology study is also typical Audi, with brawny wheel wells, a low greenhouse and an early-sloping roof line that ends in a long rear spoiler. Sharp lines frame tautly arched sheet metal surfaces. The dynamic line above the sills rises distinctly; the tornado line below the windows runs slightly upward. Just below the tornado line is a characteristic feature of the Audi A2 concept – the Audi dynamic light: a band of light that connects the headlights with the tail lights. Light-emitting diodes and light guides produce the Audi dynamic light. When in standby-mode, the several centimeter-wide band appears black.