Tuesday 20th January 2004

Audi S4 Cabrio

Taking a bite at the M3 Cabrio

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Audi are taking the fight to BMW in the high powered convertible sector. With convertible M3s now as common as pies, Audi have chosen 2004 to attempt to muscle in on the sector.

The M3 may have its wonderful straight six, but the Audi will boast a V8 - another fine engine. The 4.2 litre unit pumps out 337bhp at 7000rpm. Power is transmitted via a six speed manual 'box or a six speed Tiptronic. The S4 also benefits from permanent four wheel drive.

The dash to sixty takes around 6 seconds and the Audi is limited to 155mph. The first cars will be delivered in April. Price is £40,275.

Links

• [links]Audi|audi[links]
• Audi Owners

[dinkel]

I'm waiting for the 2-seater Z4 smasher . . .

[Michael.McD]

... nice ... but it's still essintialy a frontwheel drive car (the haldex unit transfers power to rear only when traction is lost at the front and even then has I beleive a max bias of 50/50) and as such will never match the thrills of driving a rear wheel drive (or rally inspired 4 wheel drive) car.

[bertie]

But at least it's not a "snappy red braces" BMW.

Get's my vote over a thrusting M3 any day.

[viper paul]

Love my S4 Avant I do dissagree about the four wheel drive thing as why would you need more that 50% to the rear? the front always has more grip due to the weight.

I can recommend the TIP box in sport mode it hurts your head its change is so quick but do not buy the manual as my dealer reakons it will have a poor resale value.

And the traction in these greasy conditions....well how many World Rally Championships was it Audi won with a haldex diff??????

[Gren]

The S4 doesn't use the Haldex system it uses the Torsen setup with permanent 4WD. Pretty handy with all that power and torque. The only Audis ever to use the Haldex setup have been the TT and the A3. Oh and the Bugatti Veryon so it can't be that bad!

The cabrio for people who don't want to shout excess....

>> Edited by Gren on Tuesday 20th January 13:24

[anonymous-user]

I agree with Gren.

As I understand it, all 4x4 VAG cars with transverse engines use haldex, all longtitudinal use torsen.

There's a lot of bollocks spouted on here, but some interesting stuff when it comes to VAG 4x4 systems: www.briskoda.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2429

[bennno]

i cant see this car myself, it wont have the handling of an M3, clearly isnt as fast and wont hold its value as well? Its not as sporting...

Might as well be a 2.4 or 3.0L for most if you want a A4 cab?????

Bennno

[bertie]

The whole point is it's not a 3 series!!

So everyone won't assume you're a thrusting young estate agent.