The 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet features a lightweight, fully-automatic soft top for a dynamically elegant line. The top opens in 15 seconds and closes in 17. Audi also offers an optional acoustic top with an additional layer of foam that reduces wind noise even further.

Like the A5 Coupé, the Audi A5 Cabriolet is also available with one of four gasoline and three TDI engines. All of them feature direct fuel injection; six of them receive intake air via turbocharging. The two-liter engines with manual transmission work together with the start-stop system and the on-board computer with efficiency program; the recuperation system is standard with all engines.

The engines: 1.8 TFSI with 118 kW (160 hp), 2.0 TFSI with 132 kW (180 hp), 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI quattro with 155 kW (211 hp), 3.2 FSI and 3.2 FSI quattro with 195 kW (265 hp), 2.0 TDI with 125 kW (170 hp), 2.7 TDI with 140 kW (190 hp), 3.0 TDI quattro with 176 kW (240 hp)

Available drivetrains for the Audi A5 Cabriolet include the six-speed manual transmission, the continuously variable multitronic, and the seven-speed S tronic. All-wheel drive is standard with the 3.0 TDI and available as an option for all engines with 155 kW (211 hp) or more; with the top two engines, quattro permanent all-wheel drive can also be combined with the sport differential. Front-wheel drive models of the Audi A5 Cabriolet have ESP with electronic limited slip differential on board.

The equipment and trim list for the 2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet is based on that for the A5 Coupé. Notable options include the driver assistance systems and the MMI control and navigation system and the Bang & Olufsen sound system.