Ingolstadt, Germany  - Audi's new A5 open-top version, which will be available in European showrooms by mid-2009, comes with an array of features including a fabric top with the large rear window.

The top of the line is the S5. Its three-litre TFSI, a V6 with turbocharger, unfolds 245 kW/333 hp and 440 Nm of torque. The sporty character is underscored with quattro drive, a sport suspension with 18-inch wheels and a number of special equipment details.

All versions are fitted with a lightweight, softtop which opens in 15 seconds and closes in 17 seconds. The softtop consists of three layers. The intermediate layer is a cushioning pad. In the optional acoustic top, which reduces wind noise almost to hardtop level, this is replaced by a foam layer up to 15 millimetres in thickness.

The four-seater has a fold-down, rear seat backrest with the large pass-through between the luggage space and the interior, which increases the storage volume to 750 litres.

Neck-level heating is optionally available for the front seats. The optional leather seats are coated with a special layer to reduce solar heating.

Three petrol engines and two diesel engines, with power outputs ranging from 132 kW/180 hp to 195 kW/265 hp are available.

In addition to front-wheel drive, Audi also offers quattro permanent all-wheel drive for the higher-power engines.

The standard A5 open-top is fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, and an audio system with a CD player. An optional extra is the third-generation MMI operating system, which provides several navigation and entertainment functions.

High-tech options are adaptive cruise control, side assist and lane assist. They control the distance from the vehicle in front and assist in staying in lane or in changing lanes. The luxury-class Audi parking system advanced uses a rear view camera to display the area behind the vehicle on the onboard monitor. (dpa)