CLASS MOVE; 2010 AUDI A5/S5 CABRIOLET REPLACES THE A4/S4 DROP-TOP.(NEWS)

Byline: GREG KABLE

An evolutionary change has been sweeping through the Audi lineup. New models are getting larger and more comprehensively equipped, and in some cases, they've been given whole new identities. This is all part of a program to compete more closely with models offered by Audi's German rivals.

A case in point is the new A5/S5 cabriolet. In its previous incarnation, Ingolstadt's popular open-top wore A4/S4 cabriolet badges. But in an effort to provide the new soft-top with a more exclusive image and reflect an increase in size and a more upmarket position, Audi has aligned it with the overtly sporty A5/S5 coupe. Presumably, it's a decision that also will command a higher sticker price.

The A5/S5 cabriolet debuts at the Geneva motor show in March. North American deliveries start in October.

When it does land in the States, you won't have trouble identifying the challenger to the BMW 3-series convertible and the Mercedes-Benz CLK cabriolet. Promising fresh-air fans the same dynamic driving experience as its four-seat, fixed-roof sibling, the car's appearance leans heavily on the A5/S5 coupe, picking up all of the latest Audi design cues: a bold grille, trapezoidal headlamps, sculptured body panels and curvy tail lamps. Another typical Audi touch is the chrome trim on the A-pillars and around the waistline.

Audi has eschewed the trend toward folding-hardtop-roof systems and has stuck with a traditional fabric roof for the A5/S5. The roof is fully electric and boasts three layers of insulation to help keep wind noise and any associated fluttering from entering the cabin.

Those seeking a more serene drive can go one better with an optional "acoustic roof, which uses a thicker layer of foam sandwiched between the outer and inner coverings to reduce the decibel count to a level that Audi claims is comparable to that in the A5/S5 coupe.