DRIVE TIME! MOTORING NEWS

AUDI A5 ON SALE IN JULY

Audi’s rival to the BM W 3-Series Coupé, the Audi A5 comes to Ireland

Order books are now open for the car that will go on sale initially with a 238bhp 3.0litre diesel engine and as a top of the range 354bhp 4.2litre V8 S5 model. This will be followed towards the end of the year with a 2.7litre TDi with 190bhp, a 3.2litre FSI V6 petrol with 265bhp and eventually, a 170bhp 1.8-litre.

ADDED EXTRAS

All of the models coming initially will be SE spec and with this you get such items as air conditioning, xenon plus headlights and 17-inch alloy wheels. The S5 model comes all the bells and whistles attached including 18-inch alloy wheels, sports seats and sports suspension.

PRICE RANGE

Prices start at €60,950 for the 2.7litre TDi, €64,900 for either the front-wheel drive 3.2litre petrol or 3.0litre diesel, €65,250 for a quattro version of the 3.2litre and €85,500 for the flagship S5. We have driven it already and reckon that the 3.0litre diesel is the best one, so you if you fancy an A5 get that model.

911 TURBO BLOWS ITS TOP

The Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Arrives This September

Coming this September, the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet follows a long tradition of offering their flagship 911 as a soft-top. Powered by a 3.6litre six-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine with twin turbochargers and Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG), the Turbo produces a whopping 480bhp and 620Nm of torque. In this car 0-100km/h takes just four seconds and there is a top speed of 310km/h. The convertible version weighs just 70kg more than the Coupé and the light, threelayer soft-top opens or closes in just 20 seconds. Irish prices have not been released at time of going to press but expect a price tag of around €225,000.

NEW VOLKSWAGEN ARRIVAL

The Volkswagen Toureg Business Arrives

The commercial SUV is an increasingly popular choice for business people because of the price savings over passenger models. Volkswagen were quick off the blocks with their commercial Touareg and here is the updated version.

NEW FEATURES

It gets the redesigned front-end with teardrop headlights and full chrome grille and comes with a choice of 2.5litre 174bhp TDi or 3.0litre 225bhp TDi. You get permanent fourwheel drive as standard with low range and an electronic differential. The gross vehicle weight is 2850kg allowing a payload of 600kg and the towing capacity is 3500kg using a braked trailer.

CREATURE COMFORTS

And since this is a converted version of the passenger model, you get all the creature comforts such as 18” alloys wheel, dual zone climate control, ESP, cruise control and multi-function steering wheel remain, plus you can specify leather upholstery and a tow bar too. Prices start at €45,105 for the 2.5litre and €49,190 for the 3.0litre diesel before the usual delivery and related charges apply.