2008 Audi RS4 Cabriolet Test Drive

January 31, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Audi, Automotive, Magazine Articles, Test Drives

How good does it get? With the introduction of the all-new 2008 RS4 cabriolet, Audi is the only automaker to offer the enjoyment of open top driving in a small, luxury sporty coupe with the heart and soul of a super-high-performance car. Under the skin of this unique cabriolet is a 420hp, 4.2liter V8 FSI engine, and is only available with Audi’s smooth shifting 6-speed manual and Quattro all-wheel drive featuring the asymmetrical dynamic torque split.

The RS4 cabriolet rides on big, 19X9in. alloy wheels wrapped with 255/35ZR19in. high-performance tires that support the sport-tuned four-link front, and trapezoidal rear independent suspensions with Dynamic Ride Control. Quickly and safely slowing the RS4 cabriolet down from speed are 14.4in. front, and 12.8in. rear, vented and slotted rotors with the front rotors clamped with 8-piston calipers.

BMW is just bring out the all-new 2008 M3 sedan with 416hp, and the M-B C-Class hasn’t given it over to AMG yet to add the necessary power and performance to match the Audi RS4 and the all-new M3.

Its good to stay out front because you are at the height of perfection and have the opportunity to continue leading the pack knowing and following through on what high-end auto enthusiast are looking for-great styling, great power and performance, plus a luxury interior that they are accustomed to. You have it all right now in the all-new RS4 cabriolet.

A great automobile starts with great styling and the all-new RS4 cabriolet has it at all four corners. Up front is the signature Audi honeycombed grille with a brushed aluminum surround. Down below are four slits and a splitter to help with airflow and increase downforce. The grille is surrounded by adaptive HID headlamps behind clear lenses that are beautifully cut into the sides. Down below are honeycombed air inlets to cool the front brakes, strong fog-lamps to enhance forward nighttime driving visibility, and aerodynamic gill slits at the sides to help manage air more smoothly. From the side is a stunning profile with a low front end, steeply raked windshield,

wide, flared fenders stuffed with big, 19X9inl wheels, lower side extensions, and side moldings to protect the doors and sides from accidental dings or scratches. A tasteful brushed aluminum strip runs the entire length of the beltline. From the rear are large, wraparound LED lamps, a lip spoiler on top of the rear of the decklid, dual, 4in. wide, oval, polished stainless steel exhaust tips with a large diffuser in between to help better manage airflow exiting the rear. With the top up or down, the all-new RS4 cabriolet looks like it was carved from a solid billet of aluminum. Not really as the fully galvanized steel body panels are artfully manufactured to exacting standards of fit and finish.

The magnificent 4.2 liter V8 pumps out 100hp per liter and features spark-ignition, four-valve technology, two light-alloy cylinder heads both with double overhead camshafts, two inlet valves, 2-sodium-cooled exhaust valves, intake manifold with integrated charge motion flap cam followers with hydraulic valve-play compensation. The potent V8 is one of the most highly technologically advanced of any V8 engine. It freely flows up to the 7,800rpm redline. Except when you are cruising at high-speed in 6 th gear, the broad torque curve gives you incredibly quick acceleration even in 5 th gear at just 2,300rpm.

You will enjoy using the 6-speed manual that is backed with Quattro permanent four-wheel drive with self-locking center differential, electronic differential lock and electronic stability control, which can be shut off, when you want to really let the rear slide out and test you skill on steep curving roads. Fantastic grip and control is always at your fingertips. The power-assisted rack & pinion steering system gave me a great feel for the road at all speeds, and went in the direction that I pointed the car with the reaction time that mimics a rally racecar. This pinpoint accurate driving is made possible by the unique, technologically advanced, sport-tuned, four-wheel independent suspension system underpinning this self-tanning road rocket. Up front is a four-link setup with virtual steering axis, anti-roll bar, monotube shocks absorbers, coil springs and guide links. The rear features a trapezoidal link setup with anti-roll bar, monotube shocks, and coil springs. Compared to last year’s all-new RS4 sedan, the cabriolet is tuned just a little softer to compensate for the extra weight of the cabriolet’s extra bracing, and automatic soft-top mechanism and motor. Still, the new RS4 cabriolet rockets out to 60mph from a standstill in just 4.9sec.

The big brakes I mentioned above are enhanced with standard ABS, Brake Assist, and Brake Force Distribution to help with braking power and control when you need to slow down from speed.

The power and performance capabilities are without doubt, but the best is when you are behind the wheel and driving the all-new RS4 cabriolet. It is a perfect melding of comfort, luxury, ergonomics, with plenty of sporty touches you want.

First is the new, fully automatic soft top that opens and closes with a simple push of a button in just 20sec. The new top is multi-layered for a quieter interior and more weather resistance with a heated glass rear window. The custom, heated, high-back Silk Nappa leather sport bucket seats feature white piping around each place,12-way power adjustments, and are cut deep to cradle you during heavy g-loads. The aerodynamic aluminized power-remote side mirrors are heated and auto-dimming. The center console, dashboard trim and door trim are RS4 carbon fiber to add a racecar flair; the instrument cluster is easy to see and understand with a large 200mph speedometer, 8,000rpm tachometer, and smaller gauges for fuel, and engine coolant temperature. In the middle of the cluster is a Driver Information Display with all important engine information that can be easily scowled down from buttons on the sporty, 3-spoke, leather wrapped, tilting and telescoping steering wheel that feels great in your hands. All of the hand-crafted materials used inside are first-class, and meticulously put in place.

Standard features include aluminum door handles, aluminum foot pedals, billet aluminum and leather shift knob, center console with dual cup-holders and two power outlets, automatic dual-zone climate control, heated rear seats, up/down express power windows, power door locks, windblocker that easily attaches behind the front seats to add to the quiet drive with the top down, Bose 9-speaker premium audio system with a 6-disc changer, Sirius Satellite ratio, Ipod interface located in the glovebox, Bluetooth capable, garage door opener, and thick-cut pile carpeting with RS4 signature floor mats.

Standard safety features include front and rear crush zones, steel beams in each door, driver and front passenger advanced airbags, driver and front passenger thorax and head/side airbags, lower anchors for child seats in the rear seats, front and rear 3-point safety belts with automatic pretensioning, front belts with force limiters, anti-theft vehicle alarm system with ignition immobilizer, active rollover protection system, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The all-new 2008 Audi RS4 cabriolet has no equals on the market. It stands alone at the top of the small, high-performance luxury class, and now with the cabriolet, the best for open air fun in the sun.

The standard price for this new model from Audi is $81,900.00, with an added $2,100.00 gas-guzzler tax. It’s well worth it if you have the available money and want to drive the best of its class. But you must act quickly as Audi is bringing over only 300 of these very exclusive vehicles.

ALL NEW 2008 AUDI RS4 CABRIOLET
“STAYING AHEAD OF THE PACK”

Price MSRP: $81,900 Invoice: $76,168

Type: Compact Convertible
Where Built: Germany
EPA Class: Subcompact Cars

Dimensions

Exterior

Length: 179.3 in.

Width: 71.4 in.

Height: 54.8 in.

Wheel Base: 104.3 in.

Ground Clearance: 3.7 in.

Curb Weight: 4068 lbs.

Interior

Front Head Room: 38 in.

Front Shoulder Room: 53 in.

Rear Head Room: 36.3 in.

Rear Shoulder Room: 45.1 in.

Luggage Capacity: 11.1 cu. ft.

Maximum Seating: 4

Performance Data

Performance

Base Number of Cylinders: 8

Base Engine Size: 4.2 liters

Base Engine Type: V8

Horsepower: 420 hp

Max Horsepower: 7800 rpm

Torque: 317 ft-lbs.

Max Torque: 5500 rpm

Drive Type: AWD

Turning Circle: 36.4 ft.

Fuel Data

Fuel
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.6 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual : 12 mpg / 19 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Manual: 199.2 mi. / 315.4 mi.