Pros :
- Stylish upscale exterior design.
- Seats four full-size adults.
- Luxurious interior appointments.
- King of build quality.
- Smooth V6 engine.
Cons :
- Quite pricey.
- Rear headroom is tight when roof is up.
- A real heavyweight.
- Sluggish acceleration due to excess weight.
- Only comes with front-wheel-drive and CVT tranny.
Interior :
Press Coverage :
All A4 models are well equipped. They come with a full compliment of power amenities, including power up/auto down for all windows (with pinch protection). Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control with charcoal filtration, concealed headlight washers and a 150-watt, 10-speaker stereo with six-CD in-dash changer.
Cabriolet models share the sedan's basic lines and clean, taut surfaces in a two-door body style. The wide arc of the convertible top accentuates the A4's pure proportions and subtle wedge shape. Cabriolet sports unique features, such as the brushed aluminum trim around the windscreen and waist.
Cabriolet offers just 10.2 cu. ft. of cargo space. It does, however, come with a padded convertible top that's triple-layered and features a heated glass rear window with electric defrost. Audi says its engineers used a special process to seal the top's three layers for precise fit and finish. Horizontal crossbars keep the top stiff to preventing ballooning at speed and there's a distinct absense of tent ridges. Press a button and the fully automatic top drops in just 24 seconds, and a cover closes over it for a flush fit.
Introduced for 2002, Audi's 3.0 features an aluminum engine block cast using the latest technology for maximum strength and durability. Cleaner and more fuel-efficient than the old 2.8-liter engine, the 3.0 earns California's Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle certification. Like everything else about the A4, the V6 engine is very smooth. Press down on the throttle and power comes on linearly, evenly. It does not paste you to the back of the seat, but delivers solid torque throughout the rev range. Variable-timing intake and exhaust camshafts optimize air/fuel delivery and combustion, boosting horsepower and presenting 90 percent of peak torque from 2200-5200 rpm. So there's a deep well of power available whether you're winding up on an empty country road or just cruising along. Jab the gas pedal, and the A4 responds immediately.
Audi's CVT was designed to handle high torque loads, such as those from its 3.0 V6. It's lighter than conventional automatics, has fewer moving parts, and theoretically fewer things to go wrong. The practical advantage of a CVT? It provides the best transmission ratio for optimum performance or economy in any particular driving conditions.
CVT takes some getting used to, however. Its clutch can take a second to engage, much like a torque converter that's slow to lock up. To the driver it can feel like sloppiness in the drivetrain. Depending on circumstances, you get rolling too slowly, or with a jerk, and working the throttle can require some practice. It's really a matter of getting used to different behavior. Audi has programmed its CVT with six pre-defined ranges, that act like gears. It can be managed by a Tiptronic sequential selector, so drivers can operate it like a conventional automatic with a sport shifter. We recommend driving the CVT before buying it.
A4's steering is quick enough that a lane change requires only a small turn of the wheel, yet it isn't twitchy to the point where every slight movement on the steering wheel jerks the car left or right, requiring correction in the opposite direction. The A4 turns into corners with authority, but not abruptly. Rarely will you find yourself correcting your trajectory once you've committed to a curve.
The A4's suspension features a sophisticated multi-link arrangement in the rear that replaces the old torsion beam axle found in pre-2002 A4s. This compact rear suspension makes room for a larger fuel tank. More important, it keeps the rear tires in better contact with the pavement, particularly on bumpy roads, and it delivers an even better balance of crisp handling and ride comfort. The optional Sport Package includes stiffer shocks, springs, and anti-roll bars, plus 17-inch wheels and P235/45YR17 ultra-high performance summer tires.
The A4's ride is firm, even without the sport suspension package; if you prefer soft and willowy, this may not be the car for you. We found the ride just about perfect: soft enough to soak up the bumps, never jarring, yet not so soft that the car seems to float over the surface with no feeling of control. Take a curve at a brisk clip and you'll feel firmly planted to the road, without the excessive lean.
The A4 slows itself with authority, and we didn't experience a hint of brake fad after repeated full-on stops with little recovery time in between. That's reassuring. Further, Audi's ABS programming with Brake Assist senses panic-stop situations, and applies maximum braking even if the driver hasn't fully pressed the pedal.
Nctd.com
History:
1990-1998 Audi 80 Cabriolet
2,771 cc / 190 hp / 206 lb-ft / 3600 lbs / 0-60 mph 8.0 sec.
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