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2006 Audi S4 Quattro Cabriolet Road Test

S4 Not Only About Performance

Seven years ago, I fell in love with the Audi S4. A 2.7-liter biturbocharged V6, manual gearbox and the inescapable grip of permanent all-wheel drive, it was an all-weather rush of blood to the head, wrapped in the beautifully understated stealth body of the Mk.II A4. In many ways, the old S4 is one of my favorite Audi S Cars, being one of the final Audi S-series vehicles to be equipped with a turbocharged engine. Audi has since adopted a new recipe for performance, constantly turning up the sizzle, the latest of which is evident in the new 420-horsepower RS4 (414.25 SAE hp) and the upcoming V10-powered S8.

Betwixt the gut-busting 8,000 rpm redline

The current S4 is powered by a relaxed naturally aspirated V8, a more mellow approach to performance than its twin-turbocharged predecessor. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

of the latest generation FSI powerhouses and the older, over-boosted turbos is a more mellow approach to performance, the current S4 powered by a relaxed naturally aspirated V8. Having worked well for the sedan and Avant, Audi applied the same theory to its only four-seat cabriolet, adding the

Having skipped out the entire B5 generation, its safe to assume that this is Audis way of making up for lost ground. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

go-faster goodies. Having skipped out the entire B5 generation, its safe to assume that this is Audis way of making up for lost ground, providing the ultimate open-topped cruiser. After all, a performance version of the 80s Audi Cabrio never appeared, even though it lasted the better part of the decade, resisting evolution.
Although the S4 Cabriolet

Although the S4 Cabriolet is built off the A4 sedan, its body is completely different, especially the windshield that rests at a more raked angle giving the car a more flowing profile. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)?

is built off the B6 chassis A4 architecture, its body is completely different, the only thing in common being a familiar look. It is one of those transformations that is downplayed visually; every body panel is different and few components, such as the tail lights, and the entire rear end styling for that matter, are kept the same. Even the windshield is at

The S4 hints at its incredible power potential through shiny side view mirrors, larger 18-inch Avus alloy wheels and an egg crate grille accented by tiny S4 motifs. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

a more raked angle giving the car a more flowing profile. Mind you, these little adaptations help make the S4 one of the most tasteful convertibles currently on the market, beautifully understated and elegant even in outrageously bright Sprint Blue Pearl. Credit should also go to Karmann. The German coachwork firm not only is responsible for the designing the roofs mechanism, but also for assembling the supermodel of the range.
A big stick? 4.2 litres, eight cylinders, and 40 valves make for more of a baseball bat than a stick. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press) />As far as visual differences go, theyre few and far between with the S4 Cabrio. Itll be particularly hard to distinguish it from regular A4s, as both models feature chrome windscreen pillars, brushed metal cabin surround and a thin chrome surround on the upper grille. The S4 hints at its incredible power potential through shiny side view mirrors, larger 18-inch Avus alloy wheels and an egg crate grille accented by tiny S4 motifs. At back, the typical decklid spoiler and fancy rear valance are absent; the only visual sign

Tweaked by Quattro gmBh, the 4.2-liter V8 now makes 340 horses backed by a sportier disposition than that of its comfort-tuned siblings. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)?

of its power comes from two fat chrome-tipped exhaust pipes that jut from the uncluttered rear bumper. In the car world, this one speaks softly and carries a big stick.

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