2008 Audi RS 4 Cabriolet
by Jim Prueter -03/2008

Audi’s quickest sun-seeker

In addition to the A4 and S4 cabriolets, a very limited production of just 300 high-performance RS 4 models will make it to the U.S. for 2008. The cabriolet will be powered by the same 420-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 that rockets both the RS 4 sedan and the even rarer R8 mid-engine two-seater that debuted last summer.

The cabriolet will come equipped with all the RS 4 sedan goodies, including a six-speed manual shifter, Dynamic Ride Control, wider front and rear fenders, and leather sport seats. In addition, it will feature the same premium package content, which includes just about every imaginable option. Choosing one of the seven available colors is the only decision you’ll need to make, other than how to pay the nearly $85,000 price tag, including shipping and a $2100 gas-guzzler tax.

In 2007, I tested a well-equipped manual-shifting Cabriolet, and I liked it a lot. What’s not to like about a smaller car with a big engine and a top that you can drop while traveling up to 20 mph?

Speaking of the top, it’s an all-new acoustic top that Audi claims renders the Cabriolet as quiet as a sedan at highway speeds, thanks to the tight fitting, three-layer top with a heated glass rear window. It’s quiet, but not that quiet.

Our 2008 RS 4 was finished in Daytona Gray with a black roof and black leather interior with exquisite carbon fiber inlays and brushed aluminum trim on the dash, doors and center console. As is the case with all Audis, the RS 4’s interior is near perfect; fit, finish and design are all impeccable. Power-adjustable Recaro sport seats have large side bolsters to keep you in place during performance cornering. Aluminum Quattro GmbH pedals match the interior trim.

The back seat is small but doubles as luggage and cargo space, given the small trunk when the top is folded.

The RS 4 rides on low-profile P255/35ZR 19-inch tires that, when combined with the vehicle’s aluminum independent suspension and Dynamic Ride Control adaptive suspension, practically glues it to the road and virtually eliminates body roll.

But you’ll give up some ride comfort for the handling prowess. The RS 4 lets you know about every road surface imperfection and expansion joint — with more than appreciable force.

Thanks to structural reinforcement in the chassis, A-pillars, under the rear seat and in the double bulkhead behind the backseat, with the top down, there isn’t any of the cowl shake commonly found in convertibles.

I found the muscular 420-horsepower to be unlike other performance vehicles I’ve driven (Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG and BMW M6). Those vehicles reach peak torque in the very low rpm rev range with launches that have occupants firmly pushed to the back of their seats. The RS 4, by comparison, doesn’t reach its maximum horsepower until 7,800 rpm, which means you really don’t notice the power until you’re in the 4,000 to 5,000 rpm range. Audi says the RS 4 takes just 4.8 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standing start and nothing we’ve driven, short of the R8, has better sounding exhaust notes.

With 420 horsepower, fuel economy is not good. Rated at 12 miles per gallon in the city and 19 on the highway, the RS 4 averaged just over 13 mpg during my week of combined city and highway driving.

Safety gear includes the expected airbags and belts, plus driver and front passenger thorax and head side airbag supplemental restraints; anti-lock brakes; electronic stabilization program; brake assist; and adaptive headlamps that point into corners to keep the road lit. There are sensors in the active rollover protection system that, when detecting an imminent rollover, deploy protective roll bar hoops behind the rear seats for added protection in a topless car.

Bottom line: Audi again builds a car that seems to be a perfect blend of luxury, performance, quality and style with a fun factor that’s hard to duplicate. Given a stable of test cars in the driveway, this was the one I always chose to drive.

But again, with only about 300 available, they’ll be hard to come by. And before you sign on the bottom line you should know that both the RS 4 sedan and cabriolet will cease production for 2009, when the all-new A4 debuts.