Leaked: Audi's sexy drop tops

Audi's beautifully crafted A5 and S5 cabriolet models have been revealed way ahead of their March 2009 Geneva show debuts. 

One of the best news snippets is that Audi has chosen to retain the traditional soft top folding roof, even when most of its competitors in the segment have taken to using retractable metal tops.

Audi's canvas for A5 and S5 is fully automatic though, and reportedly takes 15 seconds to open and 17 to pop back up again.

The four-seater cabriolet, which replaces the long-standing A4 cabriolet, will feature an engine line-up similar to that seen in the coupe models.

Locally, the A5 range comprises the 3.2-litre V6 and 3.0-litre TDI, both equipped with quattro all wheel drive and tiptronic gearboxes.

The flagship S5 version will be fitted with the all-new supercharged three-litre V6 that recently debuted on the S4. This engine will likely also replace the current S5 coupe's naturally asprirated 4.2-litre V8 when its mid-life facelift rolls around.

The convertibles will be built on Audi's new modular longitudinal vehicle platform at Neckarsulm in Germany.