A warm, spring day in the middle of the Nevada desert is probably the perfect way to experience the newest convertible to the Audi lineup: the S4 Cabriolet. Like most of the journalists at Audi’s event I had already logged considerable seat time in the B6 S4, but getting the most from both the power and the refinement of the latest “S” is even more enjoyable with the added option for top-down driving. Together with the same 340hp V8 and six speed manual or Triptronic transmission variants as its sedan and Avant brethren, the S4 Cabriolet adds a whole new dimension to the Audi driving experience.



To be fair it has been a long and at times difficult wait for the S4 Cab. With the fun, yet still too practical A4 Cabriolet having been introduced way back in October 2002, and the rival M3 Cab out in the market far earlier, the S4 Cab now firmly occupies a niche that was conspicuously vacant in the Audi lineup.

What Audi delivers in the S4 Cabriolet is a bit of an enigma. Powerful yet graceful, aggressive yet subtle, convertible yet still pleasing to the eye (top up or down); this S4 seems to adapt to what the driver’s requirements on an instantaneous basis.

Audi made a decision early on that in order to keep development times manageable it would not produce new body panels for the S4 Cabriolet. It does, however, adopt a different look than the stock A4 Cabriolet thanks to a more aggressive grille and S4 badges. Audi gets huge marks for producing a Cabriolet without any antennas visible – whether the top is up or down - on the exterior of the car. This bit of engineering magic comes thanks to a composite trunk lid which neatly hidess satellite receivers for GPS/XM/Sirrus along with AM/FM antennas.



Lowering the new soft top with heated glass rear window takes only 25 seconds, and as an added feature, can be done outside the car from the drivers side door lock. European owners, we understand, will get the added ability to operate the soft top directly from the key fob. A must for any convertible, the S4 Cab includes a master window switch allowing operation of all four windows at once.

A gray birch wood trim is standard for the S4 Cabriolet, but a new-to-North America option is a stunning Carbon-Fiber trim. S4 sedan and Avant owners now raving about their wonderful Recaro seats won’t get the same treatment in the S4 Cabriolet. Unfortunately the Recaros were designed as a four-legged base and the Cabriolet utilizes a three-legged design. This was another area, like the option for unique body panels, where Audi decided to save time and get the product to market rather than delaying to work out a Recaro solution.



Nevertheless the seats are still first rate and extremely comfortable with ample bolstering. The Silk Napa Leather looks stunning with contrasting piping.

While not the place you’d want to spend an extended road trip, the rear seats are functional enough. This functionality is eliminated when the S4 Cab’s wind blocker is extended to reduce wind buffeting from behind. There is still room to stow goodies – just no people – in the backseat with the wind blocker up.