It’s the wrong season to think about a convertible but this Audi will change your mind. NEIL DOWLING reports

CAN ice form in your wet hair on the way to work on a wintery morning?
The answer is “probably” because the experiment wasn’t concluded as the rest of my body went into hypothermia before my hair froze.
This comes under the heading of “don’t do this at home” – a stricture that promptly means you do it – and shows that while a convertible is a sure way to get the opposite sex’s attention, blue skin and chattering teeth can dull the car’s lure.
But though the driver’s motives are dubious, there’s nothing quesionable about the beautiful, quick and expensive Audi A5 convertible.
VALUE: At $112,900 this is a financial heavy hitter. This 3-litre version is a massive $16,000 more expensive than the otherwise identical 2-litre version. I’m reminded by the adage that convertibles are designed to be driven slowly so passers-by can get a good look at the occupants. A more powerful engine may not help this cause. But the A5 3.0 TSFI’s features are impressive and you’ll soon see why it costs so much. The safety gear alone is top-notch while the all-wheel drive system, supercharged engine and quality for the icing on the cabrio’s roof.
DESIGN: People who know Audi’s A5 will easily recognise the shape despite some tweaking earlier this year. The LED running lights form a distinctive brace at each front corner with a similar theme in red at the back. The front end looks sharper but still remains a clever blend of looking elegant while showing serious intent. There’s room for four adults (it’s built on the A5 coupe platform) and the boot is a reasonable 380 litres with the fabric roof up and 320 litres when down. Cabin treatment is gorgeous with the tester in cream and charcoal leather with a perforated black headliner. There are some small changes to the dashboard and the steering wheel can be ordered with a flat bottom. Whoopee.
TECHNOLOGY: The A5 3.0 TSFI gets a slightly subdued version of the S5’s powerplant. Its 240kW/400Nm is more than sufficient to get it to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds. Audi claims 8.1 L/100km but I saw high 9s despite the annoying stop-start system. There’s a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox and all-wheel drive. The front fenders and bonnet are aluminium to successfully reduce any nose-heavy tendencies. The “drive select” system gives four modes – dynamic, comfort, efficiency and auto – to control steering wheel feel, gearbox shift points and engine management. The tester had a fifth setting, individual, that allows the driver to memorise preferred settings. There’s also optional damper control.
SAFETY: This is a five-star crash-rated car with a host of electronic safety aids. There are automatic roll bars that deploy when the car starts tilting, electronic traction and stability systems, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and a centre and a rear differential to distribute power for maximum traction. Heated mirrors, LED running and tail lights, rear park sensors and bi-xenon headlights help but the space-saver spare isn’t great comfort.
DRIVING: It may be a convertible with a rag roof but it feels as strong as a steel-top and as quiet as many metal rivals. This is so well built and so broad in  its appeal that it’s such a shame it costs so much. Driving enthusiasts will revel in the urge of that supercharged engine that pumps hard from idle. It always has its power and torque on tap and this instant response makes it one of the most enjoyable cars I’ve punted this year. For all your moods – and those of your partner – it can be cruisey or crisp depending on the pressure on the acclerator and considered use of the “driver select” functions. Dynamic mode is preferred as it makes the steering firmer and reduces the electric-assist tendency to vagueness. The mechanical centre diff sends 60 per cent of power to the rear wheels and there’s also a clutch-action rear diff that works between these two wheels. The result is a car that feels more like a rear-drive car than previous Audis.

VERDICT: It’s a porky 1850kg dry but you’d never know it. A car for all seasons, all drivers, all reasons.

AUDI A5 3.0 TFSI
STARS 4
Price: $112,900
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km, roadside assist
Resale: 55%
Service interval: 12 months
Safety rating: 5-star
Spare: Space-saver
Engine: 3-litre V6 supercharged petrol; 200kW/400Nm
Transmission: 7-spd dual-clutch auto, AWD
Body: 4.6m (L); 1.9m (w); 1.4m (h)
Weight: 1850kg
Thirst: 8.1 1/100km; 95 RON; 190g/km Co2
Three Others to consider.

BMW 325i
Star: 3.5
PRICE: $97,565
ENGINE: 2.5-litre, 6-cyl petrol, 160kW/250Nm
TRANS: 6-spd auto, rear drive
BODY: 2-door convertible
THIRST: 8.8L/100km; 98 RON; CO2 204g/km
“Svelte German is tame in poerformance to the Audi but makes up with features and classy quality. Cheaper, too!”ql

MERCEDES E250
Star: 3.5
PRICE: $108,350
ENGINE: 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 150kW/310Nm
TRANS: 7-spd auto, rear drive
BODY: 2-door convertible
THIRST: 7.6L/100km; 95 RON; CO2 178g/km
“Clever small-bore engine goes hard though not as smooth as its rivals. Lots to like and badge cred is strong”ql

LEXUS IS250C
Star: 3
PRICE: $94,800
ENGINE: 2.5-litre, V6 petrol, 153kW/252Nm
TRANS: 6-spd auto, rear drive
BODY: 2-door convertible
THIRST: 9.3L/100km; 95 RON; CO2 219g/km
“Perfect Japanese quality, lots of features, great customer service and a smooth rider. But porky weight and modest engine means it’s not for the performance driver”