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Audi Shows Facelifted A4 Cabriolet at Frankfurt

A4 Cabriolet Among the Last to Get Audis New Makeover

One by one, each existing Audi model has gained the new shield grille. After the Nuvolari Concept, which introduced the new design language, the first production car to get the treatment was the top-line A8 W12, but now everything from the A3 to the regular A8 has been infected. Currently, the only exceptions to this were the all-aluminum ASF A2, only available in Europe, the soon to be replaced TT and the A4 Cabriolet. Simply put, the A2 isnt a big seller for Audi, and the TT will be replaced in a matter of months - not years, leaving us with the A4 Cabriolet, which will show its new face at this years Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.

Speaking of that new front facade, the A4 Cabriolets facelift, as you probably noticed, was delayed. While

One by one, each existing Audi model has gained the new shield grille, with the new A4 Cabriolet continuing the styling theme.l (Photo: Audi of America)

no particular reason was given, many amountit to the fact that the Cabriolet was introduced quite some time after the A4 Sedan or Wagon; this update just follows in suit. The 2006 model gains the trapezoidal double-decker/single-frame grille and flowing hood, tweaked headlamps with available Xenon Plus adaptive cornering lamps, and new fascias - the rear one of which includes a sporty but faux diffuser. Newly added, a chiseled shoulder line cuts from front to rear decklid. Around back, you wont find the same style tail lamps

The 2006 model gains the trapezoidal double-decker/single-frame grille and flowing hood, tweaked headlamps with available Xenon Plus adaptive cornering lamps, and new fascias - the rear one of which includes a sporty but faux diffuser. (Photo: Audi of America)

as new A4s and A6s, but rather a tweaked version of the current plainer units.

Theres also plenty to report on about what fills the new A4 Cabriolets engine bay. A wide variety of gasoline and diesel engines will be made available. Like the rest of the A4 range, the new Cabriolet will start out with the 2.0T FSI motor that makes 200-horsepower. This will be followed by the potent 3.2-liter FSI V6 that makes an impressive 255-horsepower, capable of launching the beautiful convertible to 60 mph in under seven seconds with a hair-flustering electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

The available transmission choices for the new A4 Cabriolet are nearly as widely varied as the engine choices, including 5- and 6-speed manual gearboxes, a chain-driven CVT Multitronic, and a compact but ultra-smooth six-speed automatic. (Photo: Audi of America)

Elsewhere in the world the A4 Cabriolet engine range will be plumped up with even more motoring power. Buyers of the base model will once again be acquainted with the venerable 1.8T motor found in many previous generation VAG products. It produces 163-horsepower. At launch, a sole TDI motor will be offered, an ultramodern 3.0-liter V6 that features direct injection and superfine piezo injectors. With the spark-less motor, 233-horsepower is available, backed by a gargantuan 332 lb-ft of torque, available between a spread of 1,400 and 3,500 rpm.

The available transmission choices for the new A4 Cabriolet are nearly as widely varied as the engine choices. Buyers can select from 5-speed and 6-speed manual gearboxes, Audis chain-driven

The fully automatic hydro-electric soft-top now has the ability to open and close at speeds up to 30 km/h, something thatll prove to be invaluable when stoplights go green before the top finishes clicking into place. (Photo: Audi of America)

CVT Multitronic gearbox with seven artificially created ratios, and a compact but ultra-smooth six-speed automatic gearbox. All four engines transmit their power though either the front wheels or all four wheels via quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

Underneath it all, many of the changes seen on the facelifted A4 sedan and Avant have surfaced here. These include tweaked suspensions that focus not only on reworked springs and shock absorbers, but the actual components and materials in the front four-link and rear trapezoidal suspension systems. Components from both the new A6 and the high performance S4, such as bushings and track rods, have found their way into the A4 Cabriolet, which makes for a better riding, better driving and better performing car.

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