SPRING is just around the corner and, with impeccable timing, Audi is re-introducing an open-air option to its comprehensively reworked A5 range.

Boasting the state-of-the-art design, engineering and technology hallmarks of the A5 Coupé and Sportback, the all-new A5 Cabriolet has just become available to order priced from £35,235.

At the same time, the S5 Cabriolet joins the range with a new 354PS three-litre, V6 engine priced at £51,835.

As before, the Cabriolet comes with a fully automatic and acoustically-optimised fabric hood but it now features a one-touch opening function which opens the soft top in 15 seconds and closes it in 18 at speeds of up to 31mph.

The hood comes in a choice of four colours to match the range of paint finishes and stows away in a fully automatic hood tray that moves down when opening the soft top and up again when it's closed.

A number of other features specific to the soft-top A5 variant are available, including a wind deflector and the option of a head-level heating system for front seat occupants.

Heated front seats are fitted as standard across the 16-model line-up as are seat belt microphones linked to the car's standard-fit smartphone interface.

Entry-level SE specification models come with twin leather upholstery, Audi drive select, Audi parking system plus front and rear sensors and 17-inch alloy wheels sporting a fifteen-spoke design.

The Cabriolet shares most of its mechanicals with sister models in the A5 range including two-litre petrol TFSI and TDI diesel engines with differing outputs, front-wheel-drive or Audi's latest quattro all-wheel-drive system and 6-speed manual or 7-speed, S-tronic transmission.

The S5 Cabriolet moves into a whole new league with a newly developed three-litre, TFSI petrol engine producing 354PS of power - 21PS more than the engine in the previous model.

The flagship model accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 5.1 seconds, and on up to an electronically governed top speed of 155mph. It features quattro permanent all-wheel drive and eight-speed tiptronic transmission as standard.

First deliveries of the new Cabriolet range are scheduled for April.