Quick Look: 2017(18?) Audi A5/S5 Cabriolet - w/videos

Audi recently introduced the latest member of the A5 family the A5 (white car)/S5 (red car) soft-top Cabriolet. The new A5 family is new, but the look is an evolution of those cars that came before these which is a good thing. The A5 models have always been some of the best-looking cars in their class with their timeless looks and the new ones are even better with more muscular flanks and the new squat Audi grille. And the Cabriolet is the icing on the A5 cake. A good convertible is usually the looker in any model family. US A5 Cabriolets get the 2.0-liter four (252 hp) mated to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, while the S5 gets the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (354 hp) mated to an eight-speed tiptronic automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. Audi Connect and MMI infotainment systems are on hand along with Audi's suite of safety equipment, but the options list is long making your new A5 Cabriolet potentially, kinda expensive (prices start in the mid five-figure range plus taxes, license, destination, fees, and options). For more info, check out the press release and two videos after the jump. Happy open-air motoring!

Source: Audi - Press release and videos after the "read more" jump.

AVWWG: Suzuki Ignis sub-compact SUV

Here's another one from the Another Vehicle We won't Get files: the Suzuki Ignis. Suzuki is hoping to light a fire (sorry) in consumers with the all-new Ignis sub-compact CUV/SUV five-door thingy that will come in SZ3, SZ-T, and SZ5 grades with the top-of-the-line SZ5 getting auto air conditioning, LED headlights with LED DRL, Dual Camera Brake Support, Cruise Control, and ALLGRIP "AUTO" 4WD available as an option. Base SZ3 models get six airbags, air conditioning, DAB radio, and Bluetooth with SZ-T models adding the sliding rear seats, satellite navigation, rear view camera, wheel arch extensions, side moldings, roof rails, and 16-inch alloy wheels. In other words, everything your sub-compact hatch needs to look like a mud-slinger. This is a cute little ute that should sell well in the global markets where the Ignis is being introduced starting in early 2017. Prices in the UK start at around $15,000 with the SZ5 starting near $19,000. Don't know if the Ignis would sell here in the US, but the Ignis is cute and could be used to reintroduce Suzuki cars to this market. Did I mention that a mild-hybrid system is also available that gets almost 66 mpg on the Euro test cycle? More info after the jump.

Source: Suzuki UK - Press release after the "read more" jump.

Quick Look: 2017 Maserati Levante SUV

I went to middle school with a small mountain named Levant, but I don't think he was named after a type of wind like Maserati's new SUV. I thought VW had a lock on "wind names" but I guess not. I saw a new Levante in the wild a few days ago and was really unimpressed. It was all black, which looks good on some vehicles, but it made the newest Maserati look plain and ordinary and seemed to make the gaping maw grille look even larger. When you check out the pics and videos, you see that the Levante is an attractive ute, so color and trim are important with this one. The Levante is a full(ish)-size luxury crossover that allows you to spend a great deal or a lot of money depending on your judicious use of the options list. A 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is on hand (a V6 diesel is available in Europe) which comes in two states of tune either 350 hp or 430 hp and is mated to an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive (Q4) and an sir-suspension system (SkyHook) are available. Choose the Zegna trim level and you pretty much get all the good stuff including the finest leathers and a full safety and telematics suite. The Levante 350 hp V6 model is equipped with 18” wheels as standard with a wide range of options - 19”, 20” and 21,” while 19-inch alloys are standard with the 430 hp V6. Since this is a luxury conveyance all manner of features are available as standard or optional(check the press release after the jump). In other words, spend the bucks and you'll get what you want. The all-new Maserati Levante is an attractive crossover that won't have people pointing and gasping like with some recent designs. When they see the large trident in the grille, they should know exactly which company produces this latest wind... For more info, check out the fairly extensive press release with spec charts and two videos after the jump. Enjoy.

Source: Maserati - Press release and videos after the "read more" jump.

Have you seen these posts? 12/16 edition

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