Review of the new Audi A4 Cabriolet Range

There's a lot to be said for progression. In bringing the A4 Cabriolet up to date in line with its tin top siblings, Audi have created a convertible that must rank as one of the best looking four seat open-topped cars on sale today. Beneath those svelte lines are a number of changes that make the car better to drive, spiking the guns of rivals who lined up to denigrate the old Audi's rather stodgy road manners. The combination of great engines, better driving characteristics and unfussy but sleek styling looks set to restore the Audi Cabriolet to its rightful position.

At a glance, you can see why. In a class full of particularly pretty cars, this one stands out, even against drop-top versions of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes CLK. And with competitive pricing counting in the Audi's favour, the A4 looks set to continually reprise the sales success of its predecessor. The single-frame grille and sculpted headlamps will be the thing most will spot but a subtle redesign of the rear lights and updated alloy wheel designs are also part of the latest soft-top A4's arsenal. Yes, the Audi continues with a soft top, arguing that the engineering compromises required to fit a folding hard top force designers into all sorts of other knock-on issues regarding weight and packaging. This electro-hydraulically operated hood features a heated glass window and there's even an option of a special acoustic hood with fabrics of greater density to further insulate the driver from wind noise. Audi insiders claim it makes the Cabriolet virtually as quiet as saloon versions.

The 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine will be familiar to existing A4 Cabriolet buyers, its 163bhp output marking the entry-level point in a range priced from £26,535. There's a big step up to the next model in the line up which uses the same 197bhp 2.0 TFSI engine as the Golf GTI. The other engines available are among those that Audi spotters will have seen in other models. The 3.2-litre V6 FSI is good for 252bhp but perhaps the most interesting powerplant is the 231bhp 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine, a diesel unit with some serious muscle. Diesel fans also get a 139bhp 2.0 TDI unit while the S4 and RS4 performance models utilise Audi's 4.2-litre V8.

"The Audi Cabriolet needed few excuses before and requires none now."

The concept of a diesel-powered convertible has traditionally been massively unappealing. Picture the scenario. You pull out to overtake, affecting your finest Terry-Thomas cad-like grin and, nothing. You're stuck in the oncoming with significantly less acceleration than is required to prevent yourself becoming an Eddie Stobart bonnet ornament. When the engine finally gets its trousers on, it belches out a cloud of soot that rivals the Asian Brown Cloud. Your car then waddles forth issuing so much clatter and din that your gritted teeth are now encrusted with midges drawn to the sweat leaping from your every pore. If Audi are to counter this sort of perception, they need a very convincing product. Fortunately they do.

The 3.0-litre Audi diesel in particular is an engine that can outmuscle a Porsche Boxster S when it comes to mid range torque. Nowadays, anybody turning their nose up at this particular oil-burner probably still thinks that Skodas are naff and that Rolls Royces are the finest cars in the world. In other words the automotive world may just have passed them by. The A4 3.0 TDI offers all the characteristics that make today's premium diesels such an impressive package. The ability to hit 60mph in 7.4 seconds, coupled with the ability to average over 36mpg is an impressive combination. How many quicker cars can better that fuel consumption figure? Some hot hatches and lightweight sports cars manage it, but as far as comparable cars go, BMW get close with the 330d - but only to a point. The Audi steals back a decisive advantage over the Three Series with the inbuilt benefits of four-wheel drive traction.

Should the manual Cabriolet prove a little labour intensive for urban boulevarding, Audi's advanced Multitronic CVT gearbox is also available. There's very little loss in performance over the manual (around 5mph off the top speed) and no difference at all either at the pumps or in terms of emissions. The electronics incorporate a Dynamic Control Programme (DRP) which monitors both the driver and the driving conditions. Arguably the most ingenious feature of these electronics is the aforementioned 'manual' mode that can be selected by moving the gear lever to the right of the gate. It offers six fixed transmission stages, each selected with a touch of the gear lever or optional steering wheel-mounted rocker switches (which we'd recommend). Again, on the move, the gearchanges are jolt-free. As with ordinary 'Tiptronic'-style gearboxes that offer this kind of 'manual' set-up, it's something that's fun to use when you're up for it, but many drivers will prefer the effortless nature of the fully 'automatic' mode.

Prior complaints about the A4's rather stiff ride have been taken on board and the Cabriolet features a modified four-link front suspension and trapezoidal-link rear suspension with extensive modifications to the shock absorbers, mountings and track rods utilising lessons learned from the development of the A6 and the S4 quattro models. The steering has also been improved to offer more feel with Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering offered as an option on all but the entry level 1.8-litre model.

The A4 Cabriolet is a car that has been quietly and frequently updated and improved to the point where it's now an extremely polished product. Audi have done much to understand that the needs of Cabriolet buyers are often slightly different to those who buy hard top cars and have tailored the A4 to their specifications. This is a car that offers a refined blend of qualities and fully justifies its position at the top of the convertible tree.