2008 Audi S4 Cabriolet Review | Buyer Guide
Audi S4 Cabriolet Offers Style and Performance
Looks can be deceiving. The Audi S4 Cabriolet looks a lot like its sibling, the A4 convertible, but instead of a four or six-cylinder engine under the hood, this Audi has a fire-breathing V-8. The A4 Cabriolets, with the smaller engines, are fun to drive, but the S4 gives you a real kick in the pants when you press hard on the accelerator. The 4.2-liter V-8 cranks out a hefty 340-hp, and will slingshot you to sixty in less than six seconds. Furthermore, it delivers a sexy growl in the process.
The S4 that I tested came with a six-speed manual gearbox that did a good job putting power to the pavement. The clutch engaged smoothly and the shifter felt light, but direct. And in a car with this much pulling power (302-lb-ft of torque), you never feel like you’re in the wrong gear. For those who prefer not to shift all the time, Audi offers its fine Tiptronic automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. With the Tiptronic, the driver can let the transmission do all the work, or change gears manually, by pressing paddles on the steering wheel.
But, there is more to the S4 story than just a potent power train—this car has outstanding handling too. Audi firmed up the lightweight aluminum suspension from the A4, and lowered the body to provide a more road-hugging stance. They tuned the power assist on the steering so that it becomes more taut as speed increases. The steering provides a satisfying feel of the road that inspires confidence. Also inspiring confidence are the S4′s strong disc brakes, which are easy to modulate.
However, what really distinguishes the S4 from its competition, and makes the handling so remarkable, is Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The key to Quattro is that it not only drives all the wheels all the time, but that it can allocate power individually to the wheels that have the most grip. And when the wheels happen to be shod with 18-inch tires, as they are on the S4, you have a vehicle that will corner like it’s glued to the pavement.
My S4 test car was a sharp looking vehicle. It sported white paint and bright red upholstery. A charcoal-colored dash with brushed silver trim provided nice contrast. The seats were clad in soft Nappa leather with 12-way adjusters, and were well bolstered for vigorous driving. A completely automatic convertible top retracted at the push of a button, and folded into a bin behind the rear seat in 20 seconds. A windbreaker, behind the front seats, kept turbulence out of the cabin when the top was down.
Audi equips the S4 with a wide array of luxury features, like automatic climate control, a multi-function trip computer and a 10-speaker audio system with an in-dash CD changer. A DVD-based navigation system is a $1950 option. In the safety department, Audi provides an ESP anti-skid system, side-impact airbags and safety hoops in the rear headrests that extend automatically in case of a rollover.
Audi is only shipping a limited number of the S4 Cabriolets to the U.S. this year. If you want one, the base price is $59,250.
Snapshot Review
Sporty styling
Plenty of Power
Terrific handling
