Imagine cruising leisurely along a coastal road in a luxurious European convertible, wind blowing gently through your hair. Now picture the same scene at high speed — fast-forwarded if you will. There's not necessarily more wind blowing through your hair, but the lovely coastal scenery is now zipping by so fast it merely looks like one big blur of water and rocks. That's the basic difference between driving an Audi A4 Cabriolet and its high-performance sibling, the S4.
The standard A4 is powered by either a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder or a 220-horsepower V6 engine, which for most Sunday drivers (or even Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday guys) gets the job done. But for those who are enamored with the idea of open-top cruising and high-speed thrills in one package, Audi now offers the sporty S4 Cabriolet complete with a 4.2-liter V8 good for 340 hp and 302 pound-feet of torque, and a six-speed manual. In comparison, BMW's long-admired M3 convertible competitor makes 333 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque from its 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder.
After spending several days racing around Southern California in an S4 Cabriolet test car, there was no doubt that within the A4 family, this cabrio was our convertible of choice. A quick press of the accelerator pedal brings an immediate rush of power. And the push doesn't end there as additional straight-line, midrange power is always lying in wait, making even freeway passing a breeze. Combined with the smooth-shifting characteristics of the S4's standard six-speed manual transmission, the setup kept us paralleling the coastline until well past sunset.
Opting for canyon roads isn't a bad choice, either. The S4 comes standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system for optimum traction in all situations and improved overall balance, an option unavailable to the M3 or the pricier Mercedes-Benz CLK55. Also aiding the high-performance feel is the S4's taut suspension, a lowered version of the A4's setup that includes stiffer shocks and springs for added cornering control and stronger stabilizer bars to dial out body roll. We gave our test car a rigorous workout, and nearly every driver agreed that the S4's upgrades make it a thoroughly entertaining back-road companion. Due to the substantial weight gain that accompanies convertible components, it's not quite as light on its feet as the non-cabrio S4, but its predictable behavior and all-wheel-drive traction make it one of the more entertaining convertibles when the road turns twisty.
There's nothing quite like the feeling of open-air motoring, and although the S4 presents itself as a capable sports car, the fact that it's also a convertible makes it even more desirable. Dropping the top is accomplished by way of the same simple procedure used in most upscale convertibles — engage the handbrake, and simply hold down a single button while the top folds neatly into place. The S4 also cues all four side windows to rise or fall in unison as a signal that the top operation is complete. Driving with the top down, it was surprising how little wind and road noise invaded the cabin area. While front-seat passengers had an easier time than rear passengers maintaining their coiffures at speed, conversations between front and rear occupants remained pleasant, without resorting to shouting above the gusting wind.
While the S4 sedan gets Recaro racing seats, the S4 cab comes with a more traditional leather interior. The 12-way power driver seat offered a comfortably bolstered, but not overly tight fit. The only improvement we would request is the addition of standard heated seats, a luxury feature that seemed oddly absent considering our S4's near-$60,000 sticker price. The interior did look plenty moneyed, with silver piping edging the seats and chrome bezels surrounding each of the gauges and vents. Wood trim also followed the S4's beltline, and although the overall package was elegant, some color contrast between the leather and wood surfaces might have prevented the interior from appearing so dark.
The interesting dash controls added a sporty nuance to the S4 cabriolet's cabin, especially the red LED illumination and center display located between the speedometer and tachometer. The small screen offered the driver vehicle information in an exceptionally clear text and graphic format that never washed out in the bright sun. Our test vehicle also came equipped with the Premium Audio Package, which bundled a 215-watt Bose audio system and Sirius Satellite Radio for an additional $1,000. The upgrade provided energizing tunes during our drives, although for that price, we would have liked to have steering wheel-mounted audio controls as well.
As with most convertibles, the rear bucket seats aren't optimal for everyday use, however, we did wedge more than one willing passenger in back for quick trips. There was just enough headroom with the roof closed to accommodate a 5-foot-7-inch passenger without brushing the roof, but the lack of legroom and short bottom cushion didn't encourage backseat passengers to remain seated any longer than necessary.
Climbing into the rear seat is easiest when the top is down, but even when it's up, the S4 isn't difficult to enter. The front seat backs have a power button up near the back of the headrests that allow the seat to power forward, without the user having to bend down to find the front-seat controls. This is especially handy when helping small children climb in back.
If you're looking for more than a quick weekend getaway's worth of luggage room in the S4's trunk, forget about it. Convertibles with power-operated tops aren't exactly known for their spacious cargo areas, as the top mechanisms take up a lot of space, and the S4 is no exception. Still, the 10.2 cubic feet of maximum storage space tops the 8.6 cubes offered in the Mercedes CLK55. The S4 also provides a ski pass-through fitted with a cloth bag to prevent sports equipment from mucking up the fine leather interior.
But one quick glance at the S4 Cabriolet's MSRP, and your wind-whipping-through-the-hair dreams may die down as rapidly as the breeze skims over the S4's sleek sheet metal. Non-enthusiast buyers may be shocked to find the $10,000 gap between the starting price of the A4 and S4. But then again if you want to play with the big boys, you have to buck up. Given the fact that the S4 effectively competes with the equally high-dollar M3 convertible and the exorbitantly priced CLK55 Cabriolet, its price tag isn't quite so shocking. You get a torque-rich V8, a slick manual gearbox and the pavement grabbing all-wheel drive all wrapped up in an elegant and unassuming package. For buyers who don't want the boy racer image of the M3 nor its more frantic engine, this is undoubtedly the best alternative yet.
The standard A4 is powered by either a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder or a 220-horsepower V6 engine, which for most Sunday drivers (or even Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday guys) gets the job done. But for those who are enamored with the idea of open-top cruising and high-speed thrills in one package, Audi now offers the sporty S4 Cabriolet complete with a 4.2-liter V8 good for 340 hp and 302 pound-feet of torque, and a six-speed manual. In comparison, BMW's long-admired M3 convertible competitor makes 333 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque from its 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder.
After spending several days racing around Southern California in an S4 Cabriolet test car, there was no doubt that within the A4 family, this cabrio was our convertible of choice. A quick press of the accelerator pedal brings an immediate rush of power. And the push doesn't end there as additional straight-line, midrange power is always lying in wait, making even freeway passing a breeze. Combined with the smooth-shifting characteristics of the S4's standard six-speed manual transmission, the setup kept us paralleling the coastline until well past sunset.
Opting for canyon roads isn't a bad choice, either. The S4 comes standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system for optimum traction in all situations and improved overall balance, an option unavailable to the M3 or the pricier Mercedes-Benz CLK55. Also aiding the high-performance feel is the S4's taut suspension, a lowered version of the A4's setup that includes stiffer shocks and springs for added cornering control and stronger stabilizer bars to dial out body roll. We gave our test car a rigorous workout, and nearly every driver agreed that the S4's upgrades make it a thoroughly entertaining back-road companion. Due to the substantial weight gain that accompanies convertible components, it's not quite as light on its feet as the non-cabrio S4, but its predictable behavior and all-wheel-drive traction make it one of the more entertaining convertibles when the road turns twisty.
There's nothing quite like the feeling of open-air motoring, and although the S4 presents itself as a capable sports car, the fact that it's also a convertible makes it even more desirable. Dropping the top is accomplished by way of the same simple procedure used in most upscale convertibles — engage the handbrake, and simply hold down a single button while the top folds neatly into place. The S4 also cues all four side windows to rise or fall in unison as a signal that the top operation is complete. Driving with the top down, it was surprising how little wind and road noise invaded the cabin area. While front-seat passengers had an easier time than rear passengers maintaining their coiffures at speed, conversations between front and rear occupants remained pleasant, without resorting to shouting above the gusting wind.
While the S4 sedan gets Recaro racing seats, the S4 cab comes with a more traditional leather interior. The 12-way power driver seat offered a comfortably bolstered, but not overly tight fit. The only improvement we would request is the addition of standard heated seats, a luxury feature that seemed oddly absent considering our S4's near-$60,000 sticker price. The interior did look plenty moneyed, with silver piping edging the seats and chrome bezels surrounding each of the gauges and vents. Wood trim also followed the S4's beltline, and although the overall package was elegant, some color contrast between the leather and wood surfaces might have prevented the interior from appearing so dark.
The interesting dash controls added a sporty nuance to the S4 cabriolet's cabin, especially the red LED illumination and center display located between the speedometer and tachometer. The small screen offered the driver vehicle information in an exceptionally clear text and graphic format that never washed out in the bright sun. Our test vehicle also came equipped with the Premium Audio Package, which bundled a 215-watt Bose audio system and Sirius Satellite Radio for an additional $1,000. The upgrade provided energizing tunes during our drives, although for that price, we would have liked to have steering wheel-mounted audio controls as well.
As with most convertibles, the rear bucket seats aren't optimal for everyday use, however, we did wedge more than one willing passenger in back for quick trips. There was just enough headroom with the roof closed to accommodate a 5-foot-7-inch passenger without brushing the roof, but the lack of legroom and short bottom cushion didn't encourage backseat passengers to remain seated any longer than necessary.
Climbing into the rear seat is easiest when the top is down, but even when it's up, the S4 isn't difficult to enter. The front seat backs have a power button up near the back of the headrests that allow the seat to power forward, without the user having to bend down to find the front-seat controls. This is especially handy when helping small children climb in back.
If you're looking for more than a quick weekend getaway's worth of luggage room in the S4's trunk, forget about it. Convertibles with power-operated tops aren't exactly known for their spacious cargo areas, as the top mechanisms take up a lot of space, and the S4 is no exception. Still, the 10.2 cubic feet of maximum storage space tops the 8.6 cubes offered in the Mercedes CLK55. The S4 also provides a ski pass-through fitted with a cloth bag to prevent sports equipment from mucking up the fine leather interior.
But one quick glance at the S4 Cabriolet's MSRP, and your wind-whipping-through-the-hair dreams may die down as rapidly as the breeze skims over the S4's sleek sheet metal. Non-enthusiast buyers may be shocked to find the $10,000 gap between the starting price of the A4 and S4. But then again if you want to play with the big boys, you have to buck up. Given the fact that the S4 effectively competes with the equally high-dollar M3 convertible and the exorbitantly priced CLK55 Cabriolet, its price tag isn't quite so shocking. You get a torque-rich V8, a slick manual gearbox and the pavement grabbing all-wheel drive all wrapped up in an elegant and unassuming package. For buyers who don't want the boy racer image of the M3 nor its more frantic engine, this is undoubtedly the best alternative yet.
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