Best Audi Vehicles to go Eclipse Chasing In
Audis are a great way to get where you are going, and if you have a convertible, even better. Next week is a once in a lifetime astronomical event, and with the top down, no matter where you are, you'll have the best seat in the house. The following are some of the best Audi convertibles in which you can enjoy the upcoming solar eclipse.
1. Solar Eclipse - Monday, August 21, 2017
On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality (roughly Albany, OR to Charleston, SC) can see one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights - a total solar eclipse. This path is where the moon will appear to completely cover the sun, and and all that will be seen is the corona, the sun's atmosphere. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse, and the sun will grow dim as the moon blocks part of its glow.
2. Audi TT Roadster
Audi’s TT Roadster features both an iconic design and affordable performance. Its 2.0-liter TFSI engine yields 220 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque for impressive power. The folding roof features an acoustic design that’s innovative and nearly unnoticeable, absorbing unwanted noise to help keep the cabin comfortably quiet when the top is up. However, when you want to enjoy a bit of sun or, say, a solar eclipse, the soft top uses its electrohydraulic drive system to remove the roof in under 10 seconds, at speeds of up to 31 mph. The TT Roadster starts at just $47,450 and gets an estimated 30 mpg on the highway.
3. Audi A5 Cabriolet
The A5 Cabriolet is the classic grown up convertible passenger car, that can carry four adults in luxury and comfort, with the top down. The car features a four-cylinder engine that achieves 252 horsepower at 5500 RPM, with the ability to go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 6 seconds. It too features a folding roof that can be raised at up to 31 mph, making the A5 Cabriolet the perfect balance of form and function. The A5 Cabriolet starts at $49,600, and even with all its space and power, still gets 29 mpg on the highway.
4. Audi Panoramic Sunroofs - A3, Allroad, Q5, Q7
Of course, thanks to the Audi panoramic sunroof offered on various models, you don't even need to commit to a soft top to have a good seat for the eclipse. A panoramic sunroof is standard on the entry level A3 premium compact car, and the latest allroad family wagon. Do you prefer a crossover/SUV? Check out the Q5/SQ5 or larger Q7/SQ7, both of which offer the option of a retractable glass panel over the entire passenger compartment.
5. Audi S5 Cabriolet
The S5 Cabriolet is the perfect car to chase the sun in, and with its turbo V6 motor and 354 horsepower, you might just catch it. Put your foot down and it has the capability to go from 0 to 60 MPH in only 4.8 seconds, on any terrain and in any weather, thanks to the quattro system. Just like the TT Roadster and A5 Cabriolet, the folding roof is made from aeroacoustic materials to help absorb unwanted noise, but when the solar eclipse starts, the Audi A5 Cabriolet can fold the roof down at speeds up to 31 mph. The S5 Cabriolet starts at $62,300, and do you really care about fuel economy in the S model?
6. Audi R8 Spyder
While the R8 Spyder might not be a car that everyone can afford, it sure is nice to dream about sitting behind the wheel of one. It features a V10 engine and the ability to go 0-60 MPH in 3.5 seconds, thank to quattro AWD and 540 horsepower. The acoustically insulated top utilizes a custom-designed electrohydraulic drive system to raise or lower the roof in just 20 seconds, even while cruising over 30 MPH; you can drop the top quick if solar eclipse begins while driving. The R8 Spyder starts at $177,100.
7. How to view the solar eclipse
According to NASA, the only safe way to look directly at the sun, even when partially eclipsed, is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun; they transmit thousands of times too much sunlight. Refer to the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers page (https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters) for a list of manufacturers and authorized dealers of eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers verified to be compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard for such products.
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