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Audi A4 Convertible

in Audi
I know Audi is introducing an A4 Convertible based on the new body style in the spring. It is supposed to sport a power top and the new 3.0 litre 225 hp engine. Anyone have any other info, such as:
Will it be available with a 6 speed manual?
Will it be Quattro or FWD or both?
Will it have a glass rear window?
Will Audi be producing an S4 convertible?
When will it be available in the states?
Any input would be appreciated.
Will it be available with a 6 speed manual?
Will it be Quattro or FWD or both?
Will it have a glass rear window?
Will Audi be producing an S4 convertible?
When will it be available in the states?
Any input would be appreciated.
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M
autointell.com/european_companies/volkswagen/audi-ag/audi-a4-cabrio-02
(then go to "audi-a4-avant-2002.htm")
edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/47030/page007.html
Looks like Spring of 02 for US - can anyone else confirm/deny this? I haven't seen anything about price either; wondering when dealers are going to start pre-ordering (if at all). I'm seriously considering this car - my current BMW 2000 3 series is a LEMON (I'm probably offending the bimmer faithful but 11+ times in the shop w/in a year & a half is too much. My expectations of BMW's reliability & quality were much higher...oh well, live and learn.).
WT
http://www.audi.de/cabrio
It looks like it will be available with a 2.4L V6 or the 3.0L V6, although I read speculation somewhere else that only the 3.0 would be available in the US.
It's going to be front wheel drive only (at least for now), 5 speed manual or Multitronic (CVT).
Also, if you haven't seen it, check out the preview on AudiWorld -- it has some more detials and photos:
http://www.audiworld.com/news/01/a4cab
http://www.audiworld.com/news/02/a4cab/
There was another article whihc went spoke of what I just mentioned but I can't seem to find that one right now.
Its a great looking car. I think it looks as good as, but different than, a 3-Series convertible and the Audi rep said it would price out a couple of thousand less. There will be a slight hp difference, also.
Base price $41,500
destination(shipping) $660 (I think - they have not put that in print yet)
Heated front seats $450
Xenon headlights come in a package that includes: Xenon, wind deflector, multi function steering wheel(radio controls), Auto dimming rear view
mirrors, compass in inside mirror, power folding exterior mirrors, and
memory for driver's seat and exterior mirrors) $1475.
Leather inserts (the part that one sits on) are standard
Premium leather (total seat, etc.) $1000
Premium sport leather $1500
That covers what you asked about. In addition they offer:
17" alloy wheels with all season tires $500
Sport package (17" wheels with performance tires and 30% stiffer
suspension) $750
Navigation $1350
Other than the upgrade stereo that's it.
There are many exterior/interior/ragtop color combinations. Does anyone know if potential buyers can custom order and get exactly the configuration they want from Audi? I am going to wait until spring for the 1.8T w/170 hp, and am thinking of what timeframe to put a deposit down and place the order. Would greatly appreciate any info on this process from someone in the know.
On Monday I was driving on I-10 between New Orleans and Biloxi and guess what passed me at about 90 mph? A new ragtop 2-door A4. It took me a second to realize what it was and I did not get too good a look at it since it flew by so fast but it was pretty neat. The coolest thing was that it had European plates on it. It was blue/blue and very much reminded me of the old Audi cabrio which is good since I have always considered it to be one of the best looking converts ever made.
you sure about that statement?
i might believe "limited cowl shake" and "minor body roll"... having driven convertibles for a long time, cowl shake is inherent in a convertible, you can make it better, but you can't make it go away, and having driven cars for a long time, it'd BETTER have a certain amount of body roll under certain conditions or you are gonna find yourself in the closest ditch, quattro or no quattro...
-Chris
And to top it off, no european delivery is available from Audi! Hello! You're competing with BMW and Mercedes, both of which allow European delivery. Porsche and Volvo also provide European delivery as an option to clients. If you want to compete in the luxury arena you need to act like a luxury auto dealer!
I could be wrong (someone correct me if you can think of an example) but once you figure on an option or two plus taxes, the A4 convertible is quite possibly the slowest $50k vehicle in production.
BTW- I've read that there will be Quattro convertibles possibly next spring.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
i hope they do. that means they are one step closer to a s4 ragtop!
-Chris
Just read Edmunds review of the A4 cabriolet.
They say its slow off the line and the top bows when up at speeds over 70MPH!!!!
The vehicle is forming up to be a very tame/stale ride at best.
I was waiting for this vehicle for 3 years, and now im having doubts:((((((
M
Thanks for the advice. I think you know the type of anticipation that builds when you have been wating for something from preconception(day 1) to release(within the next 4 weeks).
This has been my anticipated cabriolet. I bought an A4 in 1998 new and LOVE the car even at 190hp.
My loyalties are with Audi, but when I heard that:
1. NO QUATTRO
2. NO european NAV 2
3. NO anticipated S4 version for 2003
4. 220HP given its massive weight.
I was dissapointed and sent a letter to Len Hunt at Audi America.
I was able to see and sit in the car 2 weeks ago in Redwood Shores California and loved the look and feel, so gave it the benefit of the doubt.
Now I read the Edmunds review:
"mainly marketed to females"
underpowered
Top bows at 70MPH
tame ride
so-so- cornering
Its like a 3rd stab in the back for me.
Im wondering if I should hold on to my 98 A4 until Audi gets a bigger engine and fixes its problems in this vehicle?
Of course Ill test drive it next month, but im beginning to believe what others are saying about avoiding first year vehicle introductions to let them "get the bugs out:"
Just my 2 cents.
anyones comments are welcome:)
Just my opinion. I haven't driven one and haven't read much about it. I do know that based on the specs I was hearing, I honestly thought the A4 cab would be (like the sedan) a low-to-mid $30s convertible that fills the gap between a Sebring and a CLK cabrio. Unfortunately yet another mid-$30s convertible opportunity has been lost.
Look at the TT 'vert if you want to fly with the top down. I believe there's more power coming for it (240 hp?).
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
sphinx99,
There will be a 1.8T version in Feb 2003 for about that price range.
M
A higher low-end torqe ration engine(probably a 240+HP). I dont know how the Audi engineers approved a 220HP engine for a car of thiis weight?
The Marketeers in the US must have applied pressure to them to make the quick buck to boost 2003 sales.
Just my 2 cents.
Good luck in whatever you decide, keep us posted.
M
This is first and foremost a very good-looking, well-crafted car. Those two things stand out right away. The CVT is kinda odd at first, but I got used to it after a few mins. The top's action is completely silent and the climate control automatically shuts off when you lower the top. Neat. This is "touring" car, much softer than the 330Ci droptop. Solid, calm, stylish is what this car is. The body structure is rigid and the tires do grip, but it's no sports car. The one I drove had everything, 47K (gulp). Nice car, but I'd like to see a 2.7t or S4 version.
M
M
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
What a lame duck!
My Saab is stick, and I want another manual. The salesman tried convincing me the tiptronic type auto would blow me away. It didn't. It was extremely slow in changing gears. I guess it is a good transmission if you like Buicks. I love my Saab, and was looking for a sporty vehicle. The new A4 Cabrio was also very slow. That V6 felt like my girlfriend's 1.8T Passat. The steering was way too soft. It is a beautiful car, inside and out, but the execution isn't there for my taste. However, if you like a boring drive, this car is for you.
I then drove the TT 6 Speed, what a thrill. However, it is only a two seater and I like a four seater, like my Saab. I think I'll wait another year until the all new 2004 Saab 9-3 Convertible comes out. In fact, I suggest everyone to wait for the 2004 Saab if the Audi isn't to their liking.
M
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Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
I chose an '03 A4 Cabrio last month, after checking out a number of coupes (SC 430, CLK 320, BMW 330i, Volvo's S70, and the G35) Amulet red, with black top/interior, with everything except Parktronic. The styling is understated, classic, elegance, an opinion verified by the number of admiring glances and unsolicited compliments, especially from valet parkers. Reminds me of the first few years I had my prior car, a '92 SC 300.
The ride is amazingly quiet - I've had no rippling at 80+ mph, and the smoothness of the transmission is a nice touch, although it takes a little getting used to. No defects with the car after 1,000 miles.
The Nav system is not as good as others I've used, but the placement of the screen in the middle of the instrument panel is better than those that are in the middle of the dash.
The sales experience was actually not bad, although I could not move them off MSRP, except to get the upgraded tires added at no charge- so maybe that's $500. The service experience at my dealer, however, has been a nightmare. To get the tires put on, as well as the front plate holder has required numerous calls and visits, with poor attitudes from the Service Manager. Maybe I was spoiled by Lexus, but in 10 years with 2 Lexus dealers, I never had anything but great treatment.
Anyway, I have nothing but a positive recommendation for the car.
M
Anyway, one full day's of ownership is not enough to give a balanced opinion. But I am very happy with this car. It's as cute as a button and performs exactly how I want. And I don't know why every one says the CVT takes getting used to. It's like buttah, like silk. Oh yeah, that's odd!
Enjoy!
penny
I do like the transmission. It does take getting used to because you don't experience the shift points that cue you to stomp on, or ease off, the accelerator. I can still leave rubber from a stop line, but I have yet to experience that feeling of a surge of power when trying to accelerate from 60 to 80. I'm still playing around with the Tiptronic options, and have not had enough experience with them to tell if they really make a difference. Also, we haven't had any real snow here yet to determine how it handles winter driving.
The CVT adds to the smooth and quiet ride, but does rob some of the quickness of other transmissions. The alleged fuel efficiency is not anything to sell the feature - it's negligible at best.
I think that the A4 is one of the best models available as far as a combination of style, value, performance, and quality, even though it may not be first in any one of those categories. When you limit the comparison to convertibles, it's hard to find anything that is clearly better in that combination of factors.
By the way, the upgraded Bose system is definitely worth the cost.
I think a firm suspension is a bad idea on a convertible. Convertibles are more prone to body flex and a firmer suspension can lead to more rattles and squeaks and more vibrations felt by the driver. Test drive one without the sport suspension and see if you are fine with its handling. I can tell you that Audi's sport suspensions are not smooth riding.
i do think the Audi is one of the nicer ones on the market,though.
http://www.audiworld.com/news/03/geneva/
Click on the Audi Nuvolari quattro.
M
The Nuvolari concept looks as if it would compete with the Aston Martin's and the MB SLR!!!