Audi A4 2006 review

Normally noise is a negative factor for convertibles. Drive along at highway speeds with the top down and you will be doing damage to your eardrums in a convertible. Even with the top up, it can be noisy.

There are many other problems associated with rag-top driving.

For a start, convertibles don't handle as well as their sedan brothers because the chassis is not as taut.

That's because there is a gaping hole where the roof is supposed to be keeping out the rain and UV rays while holding the car together. And the bigger the convertible, the worse the handling.

Manufacturers add extra chassis stiffeners to convertibles to stop the body twisting, but this makes the vehicle heavier than the sedan. In the Audi, it's up to 170kg heavier, the weight of two adult male passengers.

Then there is the lack of security of a rag top. Thieves can simply slash and grab.

To overcome the problems of security, noise and handling, some manufacturers have chosen to go with a folding hard-top roof. But that also presents a problem. It takes up more boot space than the folding rag top (but not in the Mazda MX-5 and new BMW 3 Series).

And despite the shift by their leading competitor BMW to a folding hard top, Audi has stayed with the rag top.

And I applaud them for it.

Because with the top up or down, you can hear that glorious Formula One-style growl from the twin exhaust. It's enough to drive a full-grown man to tears of joy.

And if you are in the market for a convertible then you think with your heart, you are passionate about motoring and you value feelings more than practicalities.

The Audi certainly fits the bill.

Released in July, it comes with a choice of two engines: a 1.8 turbo with 120kW of power and 225Nm of torque or the 3.2 FSI petrol direct injection V6 with 188kW and 330Nm.

The 1.8T is priced at $83,400 and the V6 is available for $107,800.

I drove the V6 and, although there are shortcomings with handling, that exhaust note is an outstanding selling point. So is the power that comes on lightning fast at high revs which is where the exhaust really sings.

The sedan comes in quattro or front-wheel drive; the cabrio is available in front-wheel drive, so dynamic handling is not as good.

There is a mountain of torque steer (that's when the steering wheel pulls left or right under heavy acceleration).

The effect is exacerbated by the instantaneous launch feeling of the V6. Torque steer is fairly typical of high-powered front-wheel drivers, but it can be engineered out as in the Mazda MPS.

While the handling is not as good as the sedan, Audi has worked hard to make this car handle well — for a convertible.

They have modified the dynamic suspension system, with A6 shock absorbers, four-link front suspension and the sporty S4's self-tracking rear trapezoidal-link and front track rods. But don't expect a rough ride.

Audi has ensured that it sits flat in corners, but without sacrificing comfort. They have allowed some compliance in the springs and shocks and consequently there is some pitch on acceleration and braking, and scuttle shake over sharp bumps.

Audi has also kept its eye on style, comfort and safety. It now comes with clear front and rear lights, rear diffuser and an abundance of aluminium trim.

On the safety front it has Xenon Plus headlights with automatic beam angle adjustment and daytime driving lights (optional for the 1.8T). Adaptive headlights that swivel to follow the corner are available as options.

There are two-stage driver's airbag and side airbags, improved side impact protection and active roll-over protection system with two roll-over bars that project behind the rear seats for extra peace of mind.

On the comfort front, the supportive front seats are heated. And doesn't that give you a warm feeling?

Fast facts

Audi A4 Cabrio 3.2

Price: $107,800

Engine: 3.1-litre, FSI petrol direct injection V6, 188kW@6500rpm, 330Nm@3250rpm

Transmission: 7-speed continuously variable multitronic auto, front-wheel drive

Wheels/tyres: 17-inch alloys; 235/45 R 17, 5-parallel spoke

Fuel: 9.7L/100km combined claimed