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From YourSITE.com Reviews & Road Tests If there’s a rolling example of automotive indulgence in the Audi lineup, it must assuredly be the S4 Cabriolet. With serious performance hardware and a folding top, one can cater to one’s own performance needs while seeing and being seen… or at the very least working on one’s tan. This most rapid topless transport also happens to be fairly practical – including seating for four and quattro all-wheel drive, the latter paying dividends year-round in climates benefiting from the changing of the seasons. With all of this in mind, choosing an S4 for a Fortitude Four Season test series was an easy decision.
The A4 Cabriolet is already a handsome vehicle. With great proportions and Audi’s capable A4 chassis component set, the A4 Cabriolet compares quite favorably with competitors from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. Last year Audi introduced the S4 Cabriolet. Shoehorning their potent 4.2-liter V8 underneath the hood and adding quattro as standard, this hotrod version of the Cabriolet was also made available in North America with a 6-speed manual transmission if one so chooses.
Though heavier than the sedan and Avant stablemates, the S4 Cabriolet loses little performance to its tin-topped siblings. Sure, there’s a bit of cowl-flex thanks to its exposed innards, and the gripping Recaro seating didn’t make it into the Cabriolet due to the latter’s use of A3-style 3-legged front bracketry. The Recaros are missed, and not just for the optional suede-shouldered buckets that would have looked amazing with the top down. However, the convertible’s sport seats with contrasting piping are still quite attractive and grip well enough.
The 2005 S4 Cabriolet is subtly changed since its launch in 2004. Mid-way through the 2005 model year, Audi added its much appreciated DVD-based Navigation Plus system with satellite radio availability and MP3 functionality utilizing SD cards for mobile memory storage. The topless version of the 4-series also benefits from the B7 A4’s new center console design with improved cupholders and auxiliary power outlet.
We ordered our test car with specific options and colors, just like most discerning new owners would do. A Dolphin Gray Metallic exterior (a $450 option) was chosen with black roof and black leather, including the aforementioned silver piping. Getting the car with a 6-speed manual transmission was a must to suit our needs – a “no charge” option. One of the more feature-laden in-car entertainment systems offered these days, there was no way we weren’t checking the box for Audi’s new DVD-based Navigation Plus System ($1,950) on the options list, along with Audi’s Premium Audio Package ($1,000) that includes Bose Premium Sound System and XM Satellite Radio. Other options included Heated Front Seats ($450) and Audi’s Premium Package ($900) that includes a Homelink remote transmitter, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, auto-dimming interior mirror with compass, memory for driver side seat, memory for driver side mirror position, light sensor package and a wind deflector that can also be ordered from Audi’s accessory catalog if you don’t opt for the Premium Package.
Our car also came with California/North East emissions, adding another $150. Add in Audi’s $720 Destination Charge and a $1,700 Gas Guzzler Tax that smarts even more with the currently rising gasoline prices, and our S4 Cabriolet weighed in at $61,270. It’s not for the weak of wallet, but if you’re shopping in this category, that’s probably not a concern. Like anyone who orders a car, the waiting game is one of the hardest parts of the equation… maybe even worse than cutting that down payment check or nursing your way through the engine break-in period. With our specs submitted, we sat on our hands and waited for the car to arrive. Finally, our S4 Cabriolet was delivered the day after Memorial Day. Marking the traditional beginning of summer, this drop-top Audi S-car joined our Four Seasons fleet with seemingly perfect timing.
Throughout the next year, we’ll report monthly on the S4. We’ll log miles and driving impressions twelve times, sharing our findings, our likes and our disappointments. Having a car like this also inspires one to hit the road, making any excuse one can find to take a road trip – of which we’ll also report. The car will be primarily based in the Washington, D.C. area, so we’ll be utilizing our local dealer Rockville Audi as the main service point for the S4. Rockville already maintains our Project A4 1.8T Avant and has a track record of treating us quite well. The car always comes out of service freshly washed, and our service manager by the name of Beaver was calling us by name – a nice touch - before he’d ever heard of Fourtitude. We intend to share other owners’ experiences with the S4 Cabriolet as well. If you own an S4 Cabriolet and would like to share your experiences and comments, please email them to info@fourtitude.com. To see more of our Four Seasons S4 Cabriolet, check out the photo gallery linked below or join us in the Fourtitude stand at this season’s Waterfest enthusiast show in Englishtown, New Jersey on July 16th and 17th. Related Links: www.RockvilleAudi.com Report 1 Report 2 Report 3 Report 4 Report 5 Next month…. Breaking in the engine, initial driving and ownership impressions, and perhaps some subtle modifications.
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