New style sets Audi apart

To be honest and upfront, I am a big fan of Audis – they have come an incredibly long way in a relatively short period of time. Their engineering, finish and look are of high quality and, together, make a fantastic motor vehicle. The A4 3.2-litre V6 Quattro Cabrio is no exception. Yes, it is still a fabric-top but, as with all things Audi, it is no ordinary fabric top.
Its top is well-insulated and has three layers, and as always that top goes up and down automatically at the touch of a button (quickly), no manual latching necessary. Structural reinforcements give the A4 Cabrio rigidity on a par with its sedan counterpart, for precise handling and a luxury-car level of refinement. There is virtually no cowl shake, even on rough surfaces.
With all-wheel drive and a new 3.2-litre 188kW FSI V6, it is one hell of a sport Cabrio and a significant improvement on the previous 3.0 V6. This, together with the Quattro all-wheel drive, is a proven system that makes optimum use of the power and traction available in all conditions, wet or dry.
As with other Audis, the A4 Cabrio’s lines are simple and elegant. Top-up or top-down, it is identifiably an Audi thanks to its shape and, of course, the large “single-frame” grille featured across the company’s line-up. Aluminium trim around the outside of the cockpit is a distinctive touch, and the A4 Cabriolet looks as handsome with its top up as with it down. When the top is down, it completely disappears beneath a hard cover.
Inside as out, the A4 Cabrio’s styling is clean and simple. The anti-glare arch over the instruments continues into the line of the centre stack and console, and the round instruments and air vents are accented with aluminium. Convenient roller-knob auxiliary audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel spokes.
The rear seat is similar to that of the A4 sedan, and holds two medium-sized adults comfortably. Top-down, wind buffeting is minimal, and can be decreased by a wind deflector unless there are rear passengers, as the deflector covers most of the rear seat. Visibility with the top up is better than average for a convertible. The top folds into the area behind the rear seats, and does take up some trunk space. Still, the A4 Cabrio has more luggage capacity with the top down than most hardtop convertibles.
Extra reinforcement in the door sill area, under the floor, and at the bulkhead between the passenger cabin and boot gives the A4 Cabrio structural rigidity equivalent to that of the A4 sedan. An extra-strong windshield frame and a rollover-protection system consisting of two bars that pop up from behind the rear seats protect passengers in rollovers; front and front-side airbags and strong door beams provide further protection.
Who can argue with more power, particularly with no adverse impact on fuel economy? FSI direct fuel injection, which allows higher compression for improved power and efficiency, and more displacement add up to notable power increase.
If you are in the market for a $100,000+ convertible, the A4 3.2 Cabrio is a must on your shopping list.
AUTO FACTS
Price: $83,400-$107,800
Engine: Petrol 1.8L 4-cylinder turbo, 3.2L V6 FSI
Power: 120kW@5,700rpm; 225Nm@1,950-4,700rpm, 188kW@6,500rpm; 330Nm@3,250rpm
Transmission: Multitronic CVT
Good: Great-looking Cabrio
Bad: Soft top