Rants and Raves
TOM ADAMS
The previous weekend, I drove the A4 Avant S-Line station wagon, and so this is a variation on the theme. The Avant had Audi's 2.0 Turbo, which has plenty of sap, while the cabriolet has the 3.2 six-cylinder. The six sounds better, but the turbo is more fun to drive. As with the Avant, the A4 cabrio is lacking lateral legroom in the driver's position. There's really no hope for human life forms in the back seats if those in the front get greedy. On the other hand, there's still a bit of room in the trunk, even with the top down. Not a lot, but more than most droptops. The top goes up and down with the touch of one button and the HVAC is smart enough to turn itself off when the top is down and turn itself back on when the top goes up.
The A4 drives quickly and with dexterity, but the gears are a bit sticky. The automatic gearbox upshifts and then slows down as the new gear hits home. The Audi six-speed manual is much better. It's quiet enough with the top up, except for the brakes; they made an awful scraping noise at low speeds, especially when backing out of a parking space. Rearward visibility is better than most convertibles I've been in, though the wind blocker is an impediment. It's a fun little buggy, but I'd rather have the utilitarian Avant.
MIKE DUSHANE
This is one of the few Audi vehicles in the press fleet without the S-line appearance and suspension package, and I was thankful for the standard suspension's compliance on a trip from Ann Arbor to Toronto and back. Handling is plenty nimble, and the car isn't phased by the Baghdad-esque pavement here and in Ontario. The 3.2-liter six is smooth and eager, and the automatic transmission in "Sport" mode is a willing partner. The interior is stunning, and the back seat is tolerable for adults—a rarity in open-top cars. This test car had the optional acoustically insulated roof, and it was tomb quiet. On the highway with the top up, it was comparable to an average station wagon for noise, and I dare say quieter than some folding hardtops. Until recently, a lot of Audis felt like not-quite-there versions of competitive BMWs, but this droptop A4, even in its final years of production before an A5 cabrio replaces it, is a compelling sporty luxury convertible.
Download this car's window sticker for pricing information.
