Once Audi unleashed the gorgeous A5 in its RS high-end performance line, you could pretty much hold your breath waiting for the droptop version. Well, you can breathe again because that day has come. The RS5 Cabriolet keeps the superb 4.2-liter FSI V8 engine, which generates 450 horsepower to Audi’s seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox (with paddle shifters, naturally) mated to Audi’s Quattro all wheel drive. All this provides a 0-62 mph (0-100 kmph) time of 4.9 seconds, with a top speed limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) — a humorless limit which can be raised to a much more respectable 174 mph (280 km/h) if requested (duh). Otherwise the RS5 gets 19″ forged aluminum wheels (20″ optional), copious RS badging and a new front spoiler. The RS5 Cabriolet will hit German showrooms in 2013 at a price of €88,500 (roughly $111,427), although no word yet on when it will make the brave leap across the Atlantic. Let’s hope we can get our hands on one by next summer…

via Autoblog