I’m not really a fan of high performance cabs, but the RS4 external appearance wise is going to be tough for BMW’s similar variant to beat. Inside the cabin it's a dead cert that it will punk anything AG can throw at it.
Seriously doubt they will try and sell it at the $113k equivalent of 60,000 GBP, but it'll certainly cost an arm and a leg, nonetheless.
Phew, what a scorcher! With temperatures soaring, where better to test Audi’s red-hot new RS4 Cabriolet than the UK? The latest addition to the firm’s line-up is the first drop-top to wear the famous RS badge, and has already impressed us on an early test drive in Europe. However, we couldn’t wait to try it out on traditional British roads to see how it fares.
As with the RS4 saloon, it rides 30mm lower than the standard car and boasts noticeably flared wheelarches. They cover distinctive 18-inch alloys and combine to give the rapid cabrio a purposeful stance.
The slatted front bumper and polished metal windscreen surround also help identify it from lesser models in the range. Inside, you’ll find the usual high-quality trim, while on the centre console is a starter button for the car’s stand-out feature – its engine.
It’s the same 414bhp 4.2-litre V8 as in the saloon, and the pace is electrifying, even though this model is heavier. An extra 195kg adds two-tenths-of-a-second to the 0-60mph time, but the RS4 still hits the mark in 4.9 seconds.
A simple tweak of the right foot is all it takes to unleash this surge of power, especially when you activate Sports mode using the steering wheel-mounted button. It sharpens throttle response and prompts the electrically adjustable bolsters on the bucket seats to grip you even more tightly.
If you do find somewhere to stretch the Cabriolet’s legs, you’ll find that it’s impressively refined, and with the hood in place the cabin is nearly as quiet as the saloon’s. Lowering the fully automated roof takes 21 seconds, and once folded even high motorway speeds are free from buffeting.
Driving with the top down also allows you to get the full benefit of the glorious V8 soundtrack, which has a distinctive and charismatic burble.
However, the RS4 Cabriolet isn’t just about looking and sounding great. Thanks to Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive set-up, it handles superbly, too. There’s tremendous grip, body roll is well controlled and the absorbent ride smooths out all but the biggest bumps.
Yet despite the extra chassis strengthening, the Cabriolet can’t match the tin-top model on uneven roads. While it’s admirably stiff for a four-seater convertible, there are more shakes and vibrations – and the faster you go, the more obvious they become. Another area where the four-door scores over the convertible is in terms of practicality. Boot space is limited by the fabric hood, and the optional RS bucket seats only make a token effort to tilt forward, so rear access is limited.
Then there’s the RS4 Cabrio’s price. It costs nearly £60,000, and you could buy an entry-level Porsche Cayman for that money and still have enough change left over to get a Volkswagen Eos! However, with the first year’s allocation of 150 models already spoken for, ownership will be highly prized and strong residuals are guaranteed.
Few cars can match the RS4’s cross-country abilities, and the addition of a convertible makes for a truly unique, if somewhat pricey, proposition.