Kelley Blue Book Approves Two Audi Drop-Tops for Summer Road Trips

Summer is prime time for drivers to let their tops down on the road, and Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com has weighed in just in time with its 10 Best Road Trip Convertibles list. German luxury automaker Audi had both its 2012 Audi TT Roadster and 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet recognized on the list, proving that refinement and style still matter when it comes to open-air fun.

Kbb.com praised the 2012 Audi TT Roadster for its sportiness and elegance, as well as its ability to offer those characteristics in all types of weather with its standard quattro all-wheel-drive system. Meanwhile, the drop-top Audi A5's sophisticated styling, high-quality materials and performance set it apart from the convertible competition. The A5 Cabriolet also stood out to kbb.com editors with its acoustically designed folding soft top, which bucks an industry trend of using heavier retractable hardtops.

"Audi has its own distinct way of designing convertibles that makes them very popular," said Larry Bedell, general manager of Audi of Nashua, an Audi dealer in New Hampshire. "The TT Roadster and A5 Cabriolet aren't simply cars that have had their tops cut off and replaced with fabric; they're designed with open-air enjoyment in mind. That way, there's no loss of performance compared to their hardtop brethren."

The 2012 Audi TT lineup features several trims and body styles depending on the amount of power and sun that drivers want. There are two roadster variations leveraging the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, with the base TT Roadster producing 211 horsepower and a TTS Roadster using specialized engine components to boost output to 265 horsepower. Meanwhile, the most powerful member of the TT family, the fixed-top Audi TT RS Coupe, houses a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that churns out 360 horsepower.

Inside, the 2012 Audi TT Roadster comes with standard Alcantara leather sport seats featuring extended side bolsters to hold the driver in place through the corners. Leather is also used to wrap the lightweight magnesium steering wheel, which includes shifter paddles for easy gearshifts. Brushed aluminum inlays are included throughout the cabin to augment the Audi TT's elegant styling.

For those that want to bring more friends along on their summer excursions, the four-seat Audi A5 Cabriolet uses the same engine as the Audi TT Roadster, offering an identical 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 2012 A5 Cabriolet also powers all four wheels with Audi's quattro system, making it the only vehicle in its class to offer all-wheel drive.

"Some convertibles have shaky handling with their top down, but Audi's all-wheel drive and body designs ensure their drop-top models grip the road rain or shine," Bedell noted. "Even with all four wheels engaged, the A5 and TT can both return 30 mpg on the highway, so they are just as fit for summer gas prices as they are for summer destinations."

Beijing Provides the Backdrop for Audi's New A6 L e-tron
Concept Luxury Sedan Features Plug-In Parallel Hybrid Drivetrain

If ever there was a place that needed a luxury-class plug-in hybrid, Beijing would be it. Infamous for its hazy pollution and filled with chauffeur-driven business cars, the city recently welcomed the debut of the Audi A6 L e-tron concept at the Beijing Auto Show, where the German automaker unveiled a luxury sedan that can travel nearly 50 miles with zero emissions.

Based on the Audi A6 L, a longer version of the A6, the A6 L e-tron concept car makes use of an advanced parallel hybrid system, which includes a 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder engine producing 211 horsepower and a 95-horsepower electric motor. Electricity is stored in a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack in the rear of the vehicle, allowing up to 49.7 miles of electric-only driving at roughly 37 mph before the engine has to rev up.

"Beijing is a good reminder of why alternative drivetrains are important, and it's a fitting place for Audi to reveal a vehicle that can help reduce our dependency on fossil fuels without sacrificing performance or comfort," said Larry Bedell, general manager of Audi of Nashua, an Audi dealer in New Hampshire. "Hybrid and electric cars are going to be a major part of our future, and Audi is positioning itself as a leader in the advanced technology those vehicles will require."

Beyond the major drivetrain differences, Audi's new plug-in hybrid concept differs from the production A6 L in a few other significant ways. The front end features a bright chrome single-frame grille, as well as chromed air vents on each side of the front bumper. Bespoke 21-inch wheels and a rear diffuser also set the Audi A6 L e-tron concept apart from its peers.

Though there are no current plans to put the Audi A6 L e-tron into production, those looking for similar styling and impressive fuel economy can pick up the concept car's conventionally powered sibling at Audi dealerships. Resigned for the 2012 model year, Audi's latest A6 is capable of returning 33 mpg on the highway when equipped with the same four-cylinder gas engine found in the new hybrid concept, while a 3.0-liter V6 provides the performance-minded with 310 horsepower.
 
Inside the 2012 A6, premium leather upholstery and optional aluminum and wood inlays create a sophisticated look and feel, while advanced technology like the available Audi connect system keeps drivers wired in while they're on the road. Audi's infotainment system provides in-dash GPS navigation, gas prices and weather updates, news and travel info, and can even serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot for laptops, smartphones and other media devices.

"An unwillingness to settle for the status quo has made Audi one of the finest automakers in the world, and the redesigned A6 is the latest example," Bedell noted. "The A6 is a good preview of the direction that Audi plans to take in the future, and the new plug-in hybrid concept serves as proof of that."