2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet

2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet

An enjoyable and sporty driving experience, superior and complex technology, classic and exciting styling, and luxury that those demands make on the luxury class: Audi presents a modern-day classic - the Audi A4 Cabriolet.The classic soft-top convertible traits are evident at first glance: the open-top fourseater has Audi's single-frame grille that typifies the brand. The car's taut styling, clear surfaces and tension-packed shoulder line extending along the entire body are characteristic features of the Audi A4 Cabriolet.The car's technology lives up to the promise made by its styling. The Audi A4 Cabriolet is available with two engines that offer the latest in fuel-injection technology - Audi's FSI. FSI direct-injection represents the most advanced state-of-the-art technology for gasoline engines. The sporty yet comfortable dynamic suspension converts the power delivered by these units into sheer driving pleasure - on every bend, on every mile of the journey.Innovative and highly sophisticated technologies are an integral part of practically all vehicle areas and components: the Bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive lighting are proof of this, as is quattro® permanent four-wheel drive.The quality of materials and workmanship in the interior are of a standard that needs not fear comparison with the luxury class. The architecture of the driver's area, especially the cockpit - a perfect synthesis of ergonomics, function and design - is pioneering.

The design

Self-assured in appearance, the striking single-frame grille and clear-glass headlights with their curving, emotional line give the Audi A4 Cabriolet an aggressive face. The trapezoidal shape of the single-frame grille is continued in the more prominent contours of the engine hood.Taut lines and clear surfaces that hold no secrets, coupled with a tension-packed shoulder line extending along the entire length of the body, produce a look that is simultaneously powerful and elegant. The rear end is distinguished by lights with a clear-glass appearance that also emphasize the Cabriolet's premium quality from behind. The rear diffuser underscores the car's sports character.The modern and innovatively designed interior fits with the progressive look of the car's exterior styling. The steering wheels provide their characteristic element in the airbag cover with its single-frame design. Door sill trims with aluminum inserts and numerous aluminum inlays are a standard feature of the Audi A4 Cabriolet.Inlays in Walnut or Fine Grain Birch wood grey can be ordered. These are attributes that also emphasize the special exclusiveness and elegance of the interior of current Audi A4 models.Almost all convertibles look good with the top down, but only a few are equally as attractive with the top up. The Audi A4 Cabriolet cuts an extremely fine figure, both open and closed. Thanks to its good thermal insulation and glass rear window, the Audi Audi A4 Cabriolet also can be used without restriction in the winter.Audi also offers an acoustic roof that that is even more insulating. By using new fabrics with a greater material density, the noise level inside the cabin is reduced further, virtually matching that of the Audi A4 sedan, even at highway speeds. This new acoustic top is standard fare on the Audi S4 Cabriolet.

Engines and transmissions

The Audi A4 Cabriolet is offered with two highly modern engines with FSI gasoline direct injection: the 3.2 FSI V6 and the two-liter four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI. They combine high performance with a spontaneous response to every movement of the accelerator pedal and a peak-torque range at a high level.The 3.2 FSI V6 produces 255 hp at 6,500 rpm and 243 ft. lbs. of torque at 3,250 rpm. About 90 percent of the engine's peak torque is available from 1,900 to 5,900 rpm, allowing for strong acceleration in any gear, at any speed.At its launch the 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder was the first engine to combine turbo charging and direct gasoline injection. Producing 200 hp from 5,100 to 6,000 rpm and 207 ft. lbs. of torque between 1,800 to 5,000 rpm, the 2.0 TFSI is a marvel of power and efficiency.Both engines have been named to recent Ward's 10 Best Engines lists, a further testament to their advanced design and abilities.These engines deliver their power to the road either via the front wheels or by means of quattro permanent four-wheel drive. Customers can choose from a continuously variable Multitronic transmission (2.0 TFSI FrontTrak) and a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission (standard 2.0TFSI quattro and 3.2).

The chassis

The set-up of the dynamic suspension system, with four-link front and self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension, has been designed for sporty handling and good ride comfort.The steering has been developed to give the driver greater precision, as well as better feedback from the road when cruising. In connection with this, the engineers adopted several mountings and the dimensions of the front and rear shock absorbers from the Audi A6. The rear trapezoidal links and the front track rods originate from the Audi S4 sedan.These systems add up to a high level of agility and precise handling, combined with first-class ride comfort - all qualities that benefit drivers of the Audi A4 Cabriolet. This also applies to the brakes, whose dimensions and performance have been adapted to suit the Cabriolet.

Equipment and trim

The Audi A4 Cabriolets offer a standard equipment list that sets a benchmark in the midsize class. Every new Audi A4 Cabriolet, for example, comes with a power retractable roof and dual-zone automatic climate control, ten-speaker audio system with in-dash six-CD changer and MP3 compatibility, power one-touch windows, driver information display, cruise control, large ski sack, high-pressure headlight washer system, and numerous other features that are typical of a luxury convertible.All Audi A4 Cabriolet models can be equipped with an optional S line package consisting of five-spoke 18" alloy wheels designed by quattro GmbH with performance or allseason tires, sport suspension, S line front and rear bumpers, and brushed aluminum interior trim.Audi A4 Cabriolet can be equipped with an Audio package with a Bose premium sound system and SIRIUS satellite radio, and a Convenience package including HomeLink, auto-dimming exterior and interior mirrors, light/rain sensor for automatic wipers and headlights, Bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive front technology, driver side memory for seat and mirrors, and acoustic convertible top (on 3.2 models only).Other stand alone options on the Audi A4 Cabriolet consist of luxury items like heated front seats, Audi Navigation Plus, and Bluetooth phone preparation.Safety is standard, not optionalThe Audi Audi A4 Cabriolet's A-pillars are reinforced very effectively by means of high-strength tubes whose structure is an indispensable source of extra safety if the car rolls over. Sills with an optimized thickness and cross-section boost the occupant cell's strength and occupant protection. High-strength tubes also are used in the seat structure, as a means of protecting the occupants in the event of a lateral collision.The doors, in particular, have to be designed with safety in mind. In conjunction with structural reinforcements in the sills and a strengthening cross-member below the rear seat, special impact absorbing beams in the doors help ensure a high standard of safety. At the back of the car, a double rear panel improves body rigidity.The comprehensive safety package contains seat belts with belt-force limiter and belt tensioner for all passengers, together with full-size front and side airbags. The side airbags integrated into the front seats are designed to protect the head and thorax.If the car rolls over, a roll-over protection system in the double rear bulkhead adds to the occupants' safety. In this case, two protective bars, controlled by sensors, are triggered behind the rear passengers within milliseconds. Together with the extremely rigid windshield frame, they help to preserve survival space for all occupants if the car turns over.The standard electronic stabilization program ESP 8.0 with hydraulic brake assist provides for maximum active safety.All seats are equipped with three-point inertia-reel belts (the front belts have beltforce limiters and belt tensioners, plus a seat belt reminder for the driver) and head restraints. The safety equipment specification also includes a driver's airbag activated in two stages and side airbags.

2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet