Audi A5 Getting Convertible Companion?

2008 Audi A5, Geneva Auto Show

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This week sees the world debuts of the Audi A5 and S5 – both launching at the same time because of the flood of new Audis entering the market last year and in 2007. In all, Audi execs told TheCarConnection, they launched 12 new models in 12 months, and this year will be equally busy.

To that, the officials hinted that a convertible version of the A5 is coming – but it won’t be a hardtop convertible. Sources say that among engineers and marketers, the near-universal choice was to go with soft top, even though the technology for coupe-convertibles clearly exists within the VW Group in cars like the Eos.

To the A5/S5 lineup, Audi also will add an R version. While there are some model lines that will not have the ultimate-performance R versions – the A3 and A8, specifically – the S5 won’t go long before it becomes an RS5.

Further off, Audi is planning for the global unveiling of its new A4 lineup this fall at the Frankfurt auto show. The new range will be spun from the new mechanicals found underneath the A5’s skin. That set of components – engines, suspensions, and gearboxes – could spawn the next generation A6, even the next A8, as well as the upcoming Q5 SUV and other VW Group products.

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