Audi Q5 Cabriolet rumours gather speed

Following in the wake of the Murano CrossCabriolet, it now seems that Audi are intent on chopping the top of the Q5 to give the world the Audi Q5 Cabriolet.

We all laughed when Audi brought us a Cabriolet SUV in 2007 with the Cross Cabriolet Concept. Who on earth would ever contemplate chopping the top off an SUV for anything other than a Concept we all said? Turns out that Nissan would.

We first heard rumours about a drop-top Murano early last year and decided they were mad. But by August – and much to our astonishment – Nissan confirmed the Murano CrossCabriolet was to be launched. And it did, at the Los Angeles Motor Show – which is perhaps fitting. After all, who but an Angelino would buy such a car?

Inevitably, the Nissan Murano becoming a reality fuelled rumours that Audi were contemplating a production version of the 2007 CrossCabriolet in the form of an Audi Q5 Cabriolet. And now those rumours are rapidly gathering pace. Which doesn’t mean they’re true, but we can’t ignore them any more. Unfortunately

The plan seems to be to shove a couple of RSJs in the floorpan of the Q5, chop the roof off, throw some posh interior trim and ‘Designer’ colour schemes in to the mix and charge through the nose. Expect the same engine options as the Q5 and a hefty price premium when – and if – it turns up in 2013.

Which will tick off another pointless niche for Audi.