First look: New corporate nose to grace A4 Cabriolet

AUDI’s A4 Cabriolet falls into line with the rest of the range now that it has adopted the company’s almost-universal single-frame grille.

The new-look cabriolet was unveiled in Europe this week and runs the distinctive, full-depth opening that has become a clear identifier of the Audi range. It leaves the TT as the sole model yet to adopt the design.

The bold front end was first seen on the current A6 model launched in 2004 and has since been adopted in the A4 sedan and wagon models (2004), as well as the A3 (2005).

Like other A4s, the cabriolet also gains slightly re-worked tail-lights to identify the rear end.

That’s the cosmetics. What’s even more important with the latest A4 cabriolet is the availability of three new engines that improve performance and general driveability. The engines include the 188kW 3.2 FSI V6 seen in the A4 sedan, and the turbocharged 147kW two-litre four-cylinder 2.0T FSI.

Then there’s the common rail, piezo-injected, 3.0 TDI V6 that delivers 171kW and, between 1400 and 3150 rpm, no less than 450Nm. The existing 1.8-litre turbo four-cylinder continues.

In Europe, the cabriolet can be had in front-wheel drive form, or as a four-wheel drive quattro, and offers the choice of five- and six-speed manual gearboxes, Multitronic CVT and six-speed Tiptronic auto.

Locally it is likely to be offered in front-drive 3.2-litre V6 or 1.8 turbo four-cylinder form, with Multitronic CVT transmission only.