Sunny skies, a cool sea breeze and a drop-top are probably the ideal conditions for introducing Audi’s A4 Cabriolet to the world. However, a bout of cold and dreary Cape Town weather has brought with it more grey clouds than sunny skies, blasts of frosty sea air, and as a result, mostly top-up driving. It’s not fair, but does allow for closer inspection of the elegant Cabriolet’s other (some would argue, less important) features.
The revised Audi A4 Cabriolet now incorporates Ingolstadt’s single-frame grille, with the curved three-beam headlight cluster and tail lamps looking decidedly more modern. Maintaining its multi-layered soft-top, the slinky two-door strikes a classy pose, particularly when dressed up in the optional S line sports package as the test unit is.
Apart from the subtle additions that the S line treatment brings – a chromed and egg crate-meshed grille, sportier 18-inch wheels, and exterior badging are listed – the cabin itself remains virtually unchanged. Finishes are superb and practically everything is electrically operated.
The roof takes some time to drop, but when stowed the car is transformed into a pleasurable cruiser. Though the use of the wind deflector effectively converts the comfortable four-seater into a two-seater, the cabin remains blissfully wind-free. With the roof up, wind noise only really becomes evident at speed, but not intrusively so.
The overall ride is very comfortable, with a few expected scuttles over more severe bumps and dips. More disturbing, though, is the sporadic rattling I experienced through the pedals and steering wheel.
