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Audi A4 Cabriolet 2.0T FSI - Audi A4 Car Review

Review

Added: 25 Apr 2006
Last update: 24 Dec 2009

THIS can only happen in the UK - you think you have picked the right time to pull down the roof, but the car automatically rockets up the heating controls to max.

I don't know if this feature is specifically designed for British weather, but it sums up the A4 Cabriolet, because Audi has left nothing to chance.

Everything looks and feels like it should, with probably a bit more thrown in for a car in this class.

It has now caught up with rest of the A4 range, with its signature chrome grille, which incidentally, is replicated on the stylish three-spoke steering wheel.

For a car that is just bordering on the luxury/exclusive market the cabrio managed to attract a huge amount of interest with its classic lines and twin exhausts.

The electro-hydraulic roof, which retracts in 21 seconds - and at speeds of up to 20mph - is probably the most impressive feature for the inquisitive passerby.

It has a heated glass screen and surprising levels of noise insulation. Audi claims that new fabrics and higher density materials makes it 'scarcely different from the A4 saloon'.

The changes to the body are nowhere near as important as the changes to the engines. The new A4 comes with very powerful engines with 1.8, two and 3.2 litre petrol versions and two and three-litre diesel versions.

There is also a high performance V8 S4 344bhp Quattro with sub six-second performance. The seamless seven-speed automatic transmission on the two-litre test model is transformed in the sport mode, which also changes engine note into a throatier, noisier beast.

Formula One-style steering wheel paddle gear changes also brings the car to life and the acceleration in this 200bhp model feels far faster than the official eight second sprint time.

Cornering and body control is outstanding, as is the ride. Steering is also weighty and responsive, which is partly due to adopted suspension from the high performance S4 and A6.

Even without sport mode, the acceleration is more than adequate and it's especially useful at islands and overtaking lanes.

With all this top end performance you might expect bottom-end mpg, but that is not the case with the A4.

I recently drove a car - with similar-ish performance figures - that managed to use more fuel in a week than some small American states.

So, it was certainly refreshing to drive a considerable amount of miles in a car with decent performance and stunning looks, without spending most of the week at the petrol station.

The interior is very well made and very well appointed, with leather/suede seats, brushed aluminium trim and stylish, well-placed driver controls.

The stereo system - particularly the BOSE set up which is an extra - is a very worthy touch and Audi still installs cassette slots to go with its modern CD changers.

Some of this does come at a price. Because the base figure for this car is just £26,500, but this model had a host of extras - many of them internal - which amounted to £6,000 and included the leather, heated front seats, dimming rear mirror, acoustic parking, as well as the sound system and a further  £1,450 for the automatic gearbox.

Despite all these extras the A4 is still very well equipped and even the base spec includes a lot of kit - and a full range of impressive safety features.

It has traction aids, airbags all round, automatic roll over protection, pop-up bars behind the back seats, side impact protection, ISOFIX seat option in front and back and seat belt pre tensioners.

For a Cabriolet, it is a roomy car. The head and legroom is decent for front and rear passengers, but it is only a four seater.

The boot easily swallowed a weekly shop, but the roof down reclaims a sizeable portion, and the clever wind deflector stored in the boot - an extra at £230 - also eats up some of the space.

The old cabrio was a great car, the new one is even better.

FAST FACTS

Audi A4 Cabriolet 2.0T FSI auto

Price: £28,830

Mechanical: 200bhp, 1,984cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 7spd automatic gearbox

Max speed: 144mph

0-62mph: 8.1 secs

Combined mpg: 33.2

Insurance group: 16

CO2 emissions: 204g/km

BiK rating: 27%

Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 3yrs paint; 12yrs anti-rust

Words: Bill McCarthy

Keywords: audi, a4


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