Audi has added the soft-top cabriolet to its new A4 range. A full four-seater convertible with Audi's new-look front grille, most of the improvements centre on the fully automatic, electro-hydraulic hood which can be opened or closed within 20 seconds even at speeds up to 30 km/h.
Audi claimed top spot in the premium convertible market with its previous A4 soft-top and the plan is to retain that position with the latest version, up against rivals like the upcoming BMW 3-Series convertible and Volvo's new C70.
Apart from the improvements to the roof, handling and ride are also noticeably better and the 2-litre turbo version we tested proved agile and comfortable on even the most twisting bumpy Irish roads we came across.
The engine range starts with a 1.8-litre, 163 bhp turbo version priced at €51,150 ex-works. Three additional 1.8-litre units are available, beginning with a multitronic version at €54,020. Next in terms of power output is a 2-litre 200 bhp FSI turbo with multitronic transmission beginning at €60,470 followed by a 3.2-litre FSI, 255 bhp V6 quattro version beginning at €71,450. A top of the range version in multitronic SE specifications comes at €71,800.
Diesel versions available begin with a 2-litre TDI, 140 bhp model at €54,400. This is followed by a 3-litre TDI, V6, 230 bhp quattro beginning at €65,600 and extending up to a top of the range version with quattro tiptronic SE specifications at €71,550.