Audi seems to pick up the pace each year in its quest to catch its
formidable German competitors, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, in the US luxury market. For 2003, there¹s a new reason to believe the gap may shrink. What quickens the pace better than a new convertible? Add the 2003 Audi A4 Cabriolet to the list of exciting four-seat Euro convertibles.

In the evaluation of an automobile, I usually pay most attention to the vehicle¹s basic design, as well as to items relating to ride quality and performance. But appraising a convertible is different. A ragtop is a special piece of automotive machinery and its purchase should be carefully considered. For my money, the most important elements are the quality of its basic construction, comfort and safety. A convertible is not a sports car, but a fair weather cruiser that can be a lot of fun in the sun, or a real pain in the rear if the basics aren¹t done right. And for the record, the Audi A4 Cabriolet does the basics very well.

In terms of overall quality, the most important element is the integrity of the body. When the hard metal top is absent from an automotive design, it subjects the basic structure to additional twisting and bending forces that can lead to shake and shimmy when you drive over a railroad crossing.  If a convertible does not have a rigid body, over the years the rattling will drive you crazy, particularly as the vehicle ages and the factory shine begins to fade. 

Audi has done a great job in engineering the body of its A4 convertible. I drove it over washboard sections of road, as well as over deep dips that act as storm drainage, which are quite a test of a car¹s suspension and body strength. The Audi seems to be almost as stiff and inflexible as a high-end European coupe or sedan.

The convertible top is another element that you should examine carefully. Many convertible tops let in a surprising amount of noise and begin to sag and look unsightly with age, particularly if exposed to high amounts of solar radiation. To keep out noise and the elements, the Cabriolet¹s fabric top is constructed of three layers bonded together. The resulting top does a good job of insulating the cabin from noise and the elements, and looks great as well. Special horizontal cross bars keep the top stiff when up, which prevents it from ballooning and vibrating when driving at speed. The movement of a simple switch on the center console actuates the top. There
are no ungainly levers to unhook for a quick change from top up to topless. The top folds neatly into its own storage well with a hard cover that closes flush with the body surface to provide a clean unbroken visual line. Convertible comfort, as defined by a quiet interior, has unique aspects to consider.  As previously mentioned, the Audi¹s well-constructed fabric top is quiet at speed. But the cabin is relatively calm and peaceful even with the top down. This trick requires excellent aerodynamics, not only of the body itself, but also of the slope of the windshield and other elements that come into play with the top folded down. The A4 Cabriolet manages an excellent aerodynamic drag co-efficient of 0.31, which keeps air turbulence
at a minimum.

A car that lacks a metal top warrants special safety consideration.  The Audi Cabriolet also has taken pains to protect occupants from rollover injury. The first element is extra beefy structural windshield pillars. Additionally, six crash sensors instantly engage active protection in the form of twin posts that pop up behind the rear seats to form a virtual safety cage in conjunction with the heavy-duty windshield.

Of course, the A4 Cabriolet is not just about structure and safety. A
3-liter aluminum V-6 engine motivates the new convertible. The
220-horsepower motor won¹t blow the doors off of a Porsche, but is good enough for a respectable spurt from zero to 60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds. The only transmission available in the Cabriolet is a new continuously variable automatic that is said to enhance both acceleration and fuel economy. 

The Cabriolet¹s ride quality is excellent and the handling is more than
adequate, if not at the BMW 3-Series level. But I would not opt for the optional Sport Package, which delivers 30 percent stiffer shock absorbers and springs. The standard package seems just right for this automobile for buyers who are seeking a ride that satisfies an open-air urge, rather than a racecar. 
 

Vehicle: Audi A4 Cabriolet

Price as tested: $46,685

Engine:

         Type: 3,0-liter V-6

         Horsepower: 220 hp @ 6,300 rpm

         Torque: 221-ft. lbs. @ 3,200 rpm

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City - 20 mpg

         Highway - 27 mpg

Curb Weight: 3,814 lbs.