2008 Audi RS 4 Cabriolet Road Test Video

By Edmunds Video Productions | Published October 13, 2009

3:28 min

2008 Audi RS 4 Cabriolet Like other Audis, the 2008 Audi RS 4 Cabriolet is all about tasteful discretion. It may be fast, but it doesn't look like a garish boy racer, instead offering a clean, modest shape. This sense of restraint also applies to its engine note. The rumble under its hood isn't loud and boisterous like that of an American V8. Instead, it boasts a mellifluous, classically German timbre. The RS 4's 4.2-liter V8 pumps out 420 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. That's enough to get it from zero to 60 in a brisk 4.8 seconds. It crushes the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds, at a sweet 104.4 miles per hour. When asked to perform in a straight line, the RS 4 Cabriolet shines. However, it doesn�t fare as well in the twisties. Even with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the car felt out of its element when pushed around curves. Charging through the slalom course, the RS 4 Cabriolet goes swinging into oversteer. We manages a clean run in 6.22 seconds at 65.8 miles per hour. The car's stopping power is more impressive. It stops from 60 to zero in just 117 feet, all while keeping its nose in the air. A quick six-speed manual transmission is standard. An automatic transmission isn't offered, and that keeps you from planning any casual fun. Within its cabin, the RS 4 Cabriolet offers all the quiet luxury you'd expect from an Audi. Our model featured handsome silk-finish leather with contrasting piping, which looked great against its racy carbon-fiber trim at the beltline. Front sport seats are fully adjustable, and feature a low driving position and big bolsters. Standard features include a premium nine-speaker Bose sound system, an iPod glovebox interface, Bluetooth and a navigation system. There are lots of storage places within the cabin, including a useful pop-out shelf that lives between the nav screen and two center cupholders. Luggage capacity is 11.1 cubic feet. Audi opted to crown the RS 4 Cabriolet with a power-operated, multilayered soft top. This choice allows the car to maintain both a classic convertible profile and a relatively quiet cabin. The top opens and closes in 21 seconds. It's quick enough to beat the cycle at a stoplight, and the top is also operational up to speeds of 18.6 miles per hour. Though it's fun and good-looking, the Audi RS 4 Cabriolet does have an Achilles' heel: its price. At over 80 grand, which is a whopping $16,000 more expensive than the sedan version. That's a lot to pay for a 21-second soft top, especially when you consider that the lighter sedan offers superior handling. Here's our recommendation: If performance, handling and value are priorities, get the RS4 sedan. But if you have deep pockets, and love Audi luxury and the feel of the sun on your face, the RS4 Cabriolet might be the right choice for your new ride.