| Even though the 2002 A4 Cabriolet was a success,
it had a relatively short lifespan mainly because Audi has had to update
the car to be in-line with its current, some may say, bold design language.
The new A4 Cabriolet is
more in-line with Audi new design language |
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The new car comes with two petrol and two diesel engines. The larger
of the two petrol engines, the 3.2 FSI V6 petrol engine develops 258 ps
(188 kW) and accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds and up
to an electronically limited 250 km/h. More than 90 per cent of the engine’s
peak torque is available between 1,900 and 5,900 rpm, returning a dynamic
response when the accelerator is depressed and a fuel economy of 10.9
l/100 km (26 mpg) on average.
The turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0 litre TFSI delivers 202 ps (147 kW)
and a maximum torque if 280 Nm (206 lb ft) from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm and
both new petrol engines feature FSI petrol direct injection. The 165 ps
(120 kW) 1.8T engine from the previous model is also available.
The diesel range includes a 2.0 TDI four-cylinder unit, developing 142
ps (103 kW) and peak torque of 320 Nm (236 lb ft) available between 1,750
and 2,500 rpm, making this the most powerful four-cylinder diesel Audi
have ever installed, accelerating from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.7 seconds,
continuing up to a top speed of 212 km/h.
The powerful six-cylinder 3.0 TDI V6 developing 235 ps (171 kW) is not
the quickest engine on offer, taking 7.3 seconds to accelerate from 0-100
km/h (62 mph) and winding down at a top speed of 242 km/h (150 mph). But
with torque of 450 Nm (331 lb ft) from just 1,400 rpm, during the test
drive along winding roads there was always the reassuring feeling of having
a huge amount of low down power to pull you out of corners smoothly and
easily.
There is a choice of five and six-speed gearboxes, the continuously variable
multitronic with seven speeds in the tiptronic modes or the six-speed
tiptronic transmission.
Audi is also marketing the A4 Cabriolet as a car for all seasons. The
fully automatic electro-hydraulic hood can be opened at speeds of up to
30 km/h (18 mph) and takes 21 seconds from the press of the button, but
the heated rear glass rear window and overall thermal insulation means
that the Cabriolet can also be used without restriction in the winter.
The open-top car now features the same distinctive grille design that
makes the brand so easily recognisable. Restyled rear lights further modernise
the overall image, which again is one of clean lines and simplicity, with
the same no nonsense engines and driving experience to match.
Now that the new Cabriolet stylistically fits in with the rest of the
family, it just remains to be seen if the car can match the timeless appeal
of its predecessors.
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