However, we did slightly (honestly) scrape the underside once or twice, as the convertible is 20mm (0.79 in.) lower than the sedan. Using the same four-link front suspension and new trapezoid-link rear suspension as the A4 sedan, the lowered convertible handles just as well as its sibling. The rack-and-pinion steering no longer is overboosted-on-center feel becomes stiffer as speed increases. The 7x16 Cabriolet-design wheels mounted with 215/55 all-season tires provide a more than sufficient contact patch. The optional 7.5x17 Sporty-design alloys with 235/45 high-performance tires should make road grip even more impressive.
Tenerife has the highest mountain in Spain (El Teide, a non-dormant volcano is 3,718m/12,198 ft), and the roads to and from it are delightfully curvy. In turn after turn, no matter how quickly they were taken, the Cabrio was always exceedingly agile, making us forget we weren't in an all-wheel-drive chassis.
Yes, the A4 Cabriolet is available in the U.S. with FrontTrak only. The "trade-off" is the marvelous multitronic(tm) transmission. Both Editor Brown and I have raved about Audi's new continuously variable six-speed tranny (see ec 11/01 and 12/01, respectively), and the initial impressions still hold. Whether left in automatic mode or switched to Tiptronic, the CVT is truly the next leap in the evolution of the automatic transmission. Shifting is always smooth and seamless.
Power comes from the new 3.0-liter V6, outputting 220 bhp at 6300 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm, with 90 percent available from 2200 to 5200 rpm. The pleasantly growly 3.0 pulls effortlessly, responding to demands for more instantaneously. For turbo fans, a 1.8t version, also with multitronic, will be a mid-model addition.
Stopping power is provided by 12.28 x 0.98-in. ventilated discs in front and 9.65 x 0.39-in. solid discs in back. ABS, EBD and BrakeAssist are standard. Narrow roads and large, oncoming trucks using the entire width of pavement gave us ample opportunity to confirm the braking system's efficiency.
The one area we were more than happy to avoid testing was safety, which includes active roll-over protection-a system comprised of two protective bars controlled by sensors and triggered within milliseconds; seatbelts with belt-force limiters; front and side airbags; and crash-protection zones.
It's been five long years since an Audi convertible graced U.S. shores-that's one hell of a Lent interval-and 12 years since Ingolstadt brought forth a new Cabriolet (the TT is a roadster; it doesn't count). So it was only fitting that Audi end our period of denial during Carnival-albeit with the desired effect reversed. Absence (and abstinence) does make the heart grow fonder.
A4 Cabriolet Must-have Options* Sport Package17-in. five-spoke cast alloy wheels235/45 high-performance tires35-percent stiffer shocks and springsStronger front and rear stabilizer bars* Self-leveling xenon headlights* Genuine Pearl Nappa premium leather seat upholstery with matching door inserts, front/center armrest, shiftknob and steering wheel * 12-way sport seats, including four-way lumbar adjustment and head restraints * Wind deflector* Bose 225-watt premium sound system with nine speakers and Bose Nd(r) NeoDymium Iron Boron high-efficiency woofer* Automatically dimming interior mirror with digital compass