- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
4.2i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
253kW, 410Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 12.6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Audi S4 Cabriolet
Chocolate. Dark, flowing, European chocolate. That's what the exhaust note of Audi's new V8 S4 Cabriolet evokes. It's rich and deep, folding and layering as it emerges from the car's two chromed pipes. It makes the whole experience that much sweeter.
Which is saying something, because this would still be a memorable vehicle, even if something emerged from the rear-end more akin to a hard night on baked beans and beer.
This is a drop-top with an edge, well away from the urban poseurs, heading into the realm of hard-core stuff like the BMW M3 or Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG.
The Cabrio is the third version of the S4 to arrive here, following on from the sedan and the Avant (station wagon). Priced at $143,800, it is also the most expensive.
The three S4s share the same engine, transmission, quattro all-wheel-drive system, aluminium suspension and big brakes under their different body styles.
But this car's links to the two lesser Cabriolets sold here (1.8T and 3.0 V6) are just as obvious. Larger air intakes, a titanium surround for the xenon headlight array, aluminium finish for the mirrors, chunky six-spoke "Avus" alloy wheels and those pipes are the external changes.
It's when the 4.2-litre engine sparks into life you realise there is much more than meets the eye. This is a compact, normally aspirated, aluminium-alloy design with double overhead camshafts, five valves per cylinder, variable inlet camshaft timing and a two-stage inlet manifold. This results in an impressive 253kW at a heady 7000rpm and 410Nm at an entirely tractable 3500rpm. Audi claims a 5.9 seconds 0-100kmh dash on premium unleaded fuel, 12.2 L/100km fuel consumption average and Euro IV emissions compliance.
The sound is not the only sweet aspect of this engine. The power and torque figures aren't anything overwhelming these days, but it's the delivery that sets the Audi apart. It responds to a touch of the throttle, revs rising in a rush, but without vibration or nastiness. It's pure and joyous, truly outstanding.
Combine it with a sunny day, an open road and a need to be nowhere any time soon and you've got this car at its best.
The engine excels everywhere, and the windier the roads but the more urgent the driving, the less comfortable the rest of the package becomes. The six-speed automatic transmission, for instance, is a smooth shifter but tends to take control too often, changing up and down gear for you even in tiptronic semi-manual mode. The steering lacks feel and intimacy (but also kickback, thankfully) as it artificially weighs up off centre.
Also, removing a stress-bearing member as important as the roof has had an effect too. Audi has done a good job of reinforcing the Cabrio's body to keep shake and flex to a minimum, but it can't be as rigid as the sedan, and with a kerb weight of 1970kg, it is now much heavier too. With the added complication that much more than half of the weight is over the front wheels, the S4 doesn't feel all that nimble. The all-wheel-drive grip and electronic stability control have as much say in cornering behaviour as the chassis design. In the end, the S4 is a safe understeerer.
The other impact of weight is on fuel consumption, which accelerates dizzily as you do. On test the average spiked at 15.5 L/100km before settling at 14.5 L/100km.
But the S4 has wonderfully powerful brakes commensurate with its performance capability and is surprisingly comfortable despite its sports suspension, big wheels and low-profile 235/40 rubber.
The rear-end shimmies a little in the big holes or lateral imperfections, but not enough to be truly disconcerting.
Inside, powered leather chairs, an adjustable steering column and such niceties as dual climate control and a fine stereo ensure you and your best friend are in for a great ride.
For people you're less friendly with, you can always cramp them up in the back where there is less storage, leg and head room - unless you drop the roof (which takes a glacial 30 seconds) and then you won't be able to hear them over the wind roar.
But thankfully not that exhaust note. Such a powerfully seductive sound is important to such a car.
You could never justify an S4 Cabrio's purchase as a necessity. Just like good chocolate, this car is one of life's pleasures. Not perfect by any means, but that wonderful engine and sweet soundtrack are sure to sate the senses of anyone who can afford a taste.
WHAT'S IT GOT?
Dual climate control, cruise control, six-stack CD player, leather trim, remote central locking, multifunction and leather-trimmed steering wheel, xenon headlights, powered memory driver's seat, powered front passenger seat, rear parking sensors; fog lights, trip computer.
WHAT'S MISSING?
Powered steering column adjustment, satellite navigation, rear-window airbags, metallic paint (optional).