2010 Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet
The 2010 Audi A5 and S5 cabriolets retain a traditional soft top rather than taking the now-trendy retractable-hard-top route. The A5 can be had in front-wheel drive (2.0-liter turbo four with a CVT) or Quattro all-wheel drive (2.0T or 3.2-liter V-6 and a six-speed automatic) form. The S5 uses Audi's new 3.0T-a 333-hp, supercharged V-6-and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, Quattro, and an optional torque-vectoring rear diff. A5 coupes adopt the same powertrains for 2010. With 4500 pounds to move, the S5 cabriolet is not a sports car, but its drop-dead gorgeous looks and solid structure make a great boulevard cruiser. The S5 goes on sale this fall, with the A5 trailing by a few months.
2010 Audi A4 Allroad You'd think America would be an obvious market for an A4 wagon with a lift kit and truckish styling cues. But Audi is worried that two A4 wagons is too many, so if the Allroad comes here, we'll lose the A4 Avant. Sounds like a bad deal to us.
2010 Audi A3 TDI The A3 bolsters its green credibility by adding the VW Jetta's 140-hp, 2.0-liter turbo-diesel this fall.
2011 Audi A8 We expect to see an all-new A8 at this fall's Frankfurt auto show, but the new A8 won't land here until next year.
2009 Audi Q7 TDI This summer Audi adds a diesel version of its slow-selling Q7 SUV. The 3.0-liter V-6 packs 225 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, enough to send the heavy Q7 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds and still deliver 17/25 mpg.
2011 Audi Q5 Hybrid Audi has long touted diesels over hybrids, but the company is bowing to U.S. market pressure and putting its first hybrid system in the Q5 for 2011.