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2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet
2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet
Airing Out the A4
With four seats and available all-wheel drive, the Audi A4 Cabriolet is one of the most practical convertibles around.
The Audi A4 Cabriolet features an insulated, power-operated fabric top with a glass rear window that can be raised or lowered while driving at speeds up to 19 mph. An optional “acoustic” roof makes use of denser fabric to further reduce road noise. Audi claims a Cabriolet fitted with the optional headliner is as quiet as the sedan, even at highway speeds. The A4 Cabriolet features an occupant-protection system in which two protective bars located behind the rear seats pop up within milliseconds if sensors detect the vehicle is about to roll over.
The base Audi A4 Cabriolet 2.0T model is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A continuously variable transmission is offered in the front-wheel-drive version only. A six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, where the driver can manually select gears, comes with quattro all-wheel drive exclusively.
The Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.2 comes with a 3.2-liter V6 engine shared with the larger Audi A6. It comes only with an automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.
The V8-powered Audi S4 Cabriolet features quattro all-wheel drive exclusively and can have a manual or an automatic transmission.
A sophisticated suspension provides a well-balanced ride and handling. An optional S Line sport package includes upgraded suspension components and performance tires. These additions sharpen handling, particularly when teamed with all-wheel drive.
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and the latest version of Audi’s stability and traction control systems are standard to help drivers retain control under slippery conditions or during extreme handling maneuvers. Front side and side-curtain airbags that cover all outboard passengers are standard.
Depending on the variant, options include adaptive, high-intensity headlamps that pivot to illuminate the road around curves, as well as a navigation system with Audi’s Multi-Media Interface. This feature can be difficult to operate, but less so than similar systems offered on other luxury cars, such as BMW’s iDrive. It does a particularly nice job of keeping radio channels organized with the optional satellite radio receiver.
Is the Audi A4 Cabriolet for You?
| Buy the Audi A4 Cabriolet if | You want a convertible, but also need room for more than two people; you want all-wheel drive. |
| Keep Looking if | You need comfortable seating for five adults; you prefer a car that skews either toward luxury or performance rather than blending the two; you prefer flashy styling. |
| Who Fits? | Front-seat occupants in the Audi A4 Cabriolet will find ample room; backseat space is at a premium. |
| Closest Competitors | |
| Did You Know? |
Audi’s A4 series has been around for more than three decades and has been sold under a variety of names during that period. Originally offered in 1972 as the Fox, it was the automaker’s second model here after the 100 (now known as the A6). Redesigned in 1982, it was renamed the 4000 and became the first U.S. Audi to feature the renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system. The car received yet another name change later that decade as the 80 and was subsequently rechristened with its current nameplate — A4 — in 1994. A later redesign for 2001 boasted the first continuously variable transmission (which eschewed conventional gears for a series of belts and pulleys) from a European brand for the U.S. market. |
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