Driven: Audi A4 Cabrio 1.8T
Hello everyone!
Today’s post is about a car that leaves me with different and ambiguous thoughts: The 2002 Audi A4 Cabrio. Why? Well, I truly think it’s a case of double personality. At least for me, a 25 year old man…
A convertible car is most about style, but also to give away stress levels accumulated during the week, for those irreverent enough to drive with “the wind in the hair”. And then, there are the different approaches to the theme: there are roadsters, built, from day one, to be so; there are cars whose roof’s are simply cut off (yes, those brilliant old Saab cabrios…); there are convertibles developed at the same time as a similar coupe version (as the Mercedes-Benz CLK, or the BMW 3-Series).
And then, there’s the Audi A4 Cabrio.
It follows none of those approaches. It is not a roadster. There is not a similar coupe version. It’s based on the regular ’00 A4 saloon, but with a revised chassis and other bits. But with a much, much more appealing design. And essence…
The black paint on this particular unit, combined with several chrome and aluminium parts, results extremely well. The dark, slim headlights give it an aggressive and sporty look. Its profile and back are more elegant, but the twin exhaust pipes give it a dynamic touch. And, when the roof is up, the elegant design remains virtually untouched. Gorgeous.
The inside is a lot less inspired. It’s, basically, an ordinary A4 saloon, with circular air vents are not much more. This unit, in basic specification, does not add any appeal. There is no red leather, nor a two-tone steering wheel. I don’t like the fake wood manufacturers now use, but I even would like to see some in here, just to add a touch of colour (there are some, otherwise nice, black plastic inserts).
Built quality, on the other hand, is extremely inspired. It has to be one of the best built cars I know, and the design also favours quality perception. Materials are first class in most places, but even the worse plastics are very acceptable. The fabric roof works seamlessly, but it is the only component that does not correspond to the general high quality perception. It does insulate road noise and rain as expected. It even allows an automatic car wash with no drama, and the car itself feels more solid with the roof up. But, somehow, it does not feel very solid to me, maybe because, each time I touch it from the inside, it looks like there is nothing above that initial layer of fabric…
But I started this driving report with a pertinent point: it is a car with double personality.
When starting the car with the roof up, the engine is barely audible from the inside. It’s a very relaxed and quiet ambiance. The engine is silky-smooth, the clutch, brakes and accelerator are also smooth, but the five-speed gearbox has an excessive travel. Steering is light, as well, and the four-arm steering wheel also contributes to the relaxed driving attitude. And it is spacious in every one of its four seats, apart from rear height. So, it is a “mature” people’s car, and I hate it for that. Of course, for my long night journeys behind the steering wheel, it would be perfect. It even is economic, as I average around 7 l/100km (34 mpg) when driving on open-roads, at 100-120 km/h (62-75 mph) speeds. But, even on long journeys, I want to be remembered, at every time, I’m driving a car, not my room chair. And it’s not handy, if you reverse onto a cathedral without seeing it. Yes, there are that much blind spots…
But then, I push the roof control, on the center console. And this lethargic personality goes away… Well, sort of.
With the wind in the hair, all this relaxed, almost inert driving experience perfectly makes sense. It is the best attitude someone wants when driving home, after a hard work day. A little bit of peace. The wind washing your ideas, tearing off all the stress and worries. Relatively speaking, of course, because, at 120 km/h (75 mph), with the windows up and with the wind deflector, there is barely any wind on the inside… And, in this configuration, it feels attractive to me. I love the sun, the wind and the smells of the fields. With the heated seats, even some winter days are no obstacle. Well, at least here, in Portugal, where there is plenty of sun and warm temperature most of the time…
So, it is useless to say it is not a fast car, nor a driver’s car. That’s not the point. It is a comfortable cruiser, quick Q.B. Good to drive across town, if you like everyone looking at you. Brilliant for a long trip with the roof down. Music and company? It’s up to you…
Verdict: an ultra-relaxing, stylish car. Or, in another perspective, an healthy anti-stress medicine.
Vital statistics (portuguese version):
Specs:
1781 cc, inline-4 cylinder, 5 valves per cylinder, turbo (petrol)
163 hp/5700 rpm
225 Nm/1950-4700 rpm
Red line: 6500 rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Empty weight: 1540 kg
Boot: 315/246 litres (roof on/off)
Petrol tank: 70 litres
5th gear, 2500 rpm: 100 km/h (62 mph)
5th gear, 3000 rpm: 120 km/h (75 mph)
Official performance:
Top speed: 226 km/h (141 mph)
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 9,4 seconds
Fuel consumption (urban/extra-urban/average): 11,6/6,7/8,5 l/100km (20/35/28 mpg)
Main equipment:
Electric soft top, dual-zone air conditioning, heated seats, removable wind deflector, twin front airbags, sidebags at front, radio-CD
Price in 2003: around 45k €
Driven: 2006 – today
Verdict: 15 out of 20
Comments
Cheers
Josh