Whenever I write about a convertible, I always find myself trying to begin by focusing on the excitement of driving with the top down. But after testing the Audi A4 Cabriolet, featuring an all-new acoustic roof, I find myself wanting to go back and talk about this convertible, first, with its top up.
The acoustic convertible roof was part of an $1,800 Convenience Package on my tester. I've thought pretty highly of Audi Cabriolet convertible tops up to this point, they have always been much better than average and when it comes to cabin noise with a convertible top, well, you come to accept a certain amount of wind and road noise. With the exception of an actual hard top convertible, this acoustic top is about as close to a hard top as it gets.
For those of us that have to deal with the Midwest's frigid winter temps, putting the convertible into storage for four months is an accepted practice. With this A4 Cabriolet and the acoustic option, the extra materials used to deaden the noise also act as insulation for interior comfort. Consider this Cabriolet an all-season ride.
Convertible fans as well as Audi enthusiasts (and there are many) will applaud Audi finally getting the A4 Cabrio up to speed on the design side with the rest of the A4 lineup. Key Cabrio features that now reflect the refined sedan updates launched last year are the front grille with Audi's linked ring logo and the attractive taillight assembly.
I like the distictly-Audi look of the A4 Cabrio. Reflecting the prominent lines of the complete Audi lineup, with softened curves rounding out the front and rear ends, even when the top hidden beneath a hard tonneau cover, this convertible does not look like a coupe with the top cut off. It looks like a convertible engineered to be a convertible.
My tester had the S-Line sport package ($2,500) most notably featuring 5-spoke 18-inch wheels that, for adding just an inch, add an amazing upgrade to the sportiness of the Cabrio. Aestheticly, the S-Line option adds attractive brushed aluminum trim while a firmed-up suspension delivers the ride to go with the look.
As one might expect from an Audi, the refinement does not end with the looks. Inside the cabin features high quality materials, more aluminum accents, a clean, highly functional arrangement of gauges and vents that reflect exterior design cues. The supple leather interior and leather-wrapped steering wheel literally pull it all together and place the excitement in your hands.
I found visibility with the top up to be average, but who wants to talk about the Cabrio with the top up? At the push of a button, the Cabrio's top is quickly powered down with out any latches being touched. This is when you pump up the volume and let your hair down.
Standard Audi issue audio comes from a Symphony radio with in-dash 6-disc changer. I have tested this audio system before and it is great. My tester had the optional Premium Audio Package ($1,000) that included an over-the-top Bose system and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Honestly, I'm so happy shooting around in any convertible that distractions like 200 optional stations is exactly that -- distracting. For true audiophiles, though, this $1,000 is a no brainer add-on.
Audi's Navagation Plus system is an additional $2,100. If you get it, and my tester's system worked great and was easy to operate, do note that your CD changer gets bumped into the glove box. Here's my take: with the top down it is so much easier to stop and ask directions, and even more enjoyable driving in any direction, right or wrong.
Under the hood, my tester featured the 3.2-liter V6 quattro AT6 package. This is a much appreciated upgrade over the former 3.0-liter engine and this 3.2 delivers 255 horsepower mated to a sweet-shifting 6-speed transmission, featuring Tiptronic manual shift mode that, again, ups the fun factor for the Cabrio. Fuel mileage is 19 city and 27 highway.
With a base price at $46,950, you get what you expect from the Audi A4 Cabriolet, world-class engineering and a refined sporty ride. With the options, my tester topped out at $57,770. True, that's light years from the price of any Miata or Solstice, but lower than BMW or Mercedes. Refinement and class have a price and this Audi delivers both.
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