Asset Finance Berkshire - <b>Audi A4 Open<b>

Audi A4 Open

PRICE £25,730 - £42,980

ON THE ROAD

Performance
For 2006, only the 1.8 turbo and 4.2 V8 engines are as before. There are new 2.0-litre turbo and 3.2 V6 diesels, each delivering better performance than the engine it replaces. The V6 diesel with automatic gearbox is the star choice, but the 2.0-litre petrol turbo is a good substitute

Ride & Handling
Suspension changes on 2006 cars have made the A4 Cabrio a more engaging car to drive. Agility and feedback have been improved, encouraging you to drive harder, although the ageing BMW 3 Series Convertible still have the edge over it. The Audi rides most roads well, but can be unsettled by town bumps

Performance
For 2006, only the 1.8 turbo and 4.2 V8 engines are as before. There are new 2.0-litre turbo and 3.2 V6 diesels, each delivering better performance than the engine it replaces. The V6 diesel with automatic gearbox is the star choice, but the 2.0-litre petrol turbo is a good substitute

Ride & Handling
Suspension changes on 2006 cars have made the A4 Cabrio a more engaging car to drive. Agility and feedback have been improved, encouraging you to drive harder, although the ageing BMW 3 Series Convertible still have the edge over it. The Audi rides most roads well, but can be unsettled by town bumps.

Refinement
A well made, triple-layer hood helps the A4 to be one of the most refined soft-tops, and wind and road noise with the roof up is kept to a minimum. With it lowered, things are still civilised, and there’s little buffeting in the cabin. Engine noise is well suppressed.

OWNERSHIP

Buying & owning
You could never call the A4 Cabrio cheap, but it's competitive with its other German rivals, and resale values for a much in-demand car are superb. The new petrol engines are not only livelier than the units they replace, but cleaner and more fuel-efficient, so you win both ways.

Quality & reliability
The A4 displays the kind of impeccable build quality for which Audi has become famous. The hood is sturdy and the cabin materials top-notch, while all controls work with satisfying precision. Mechanicals borrowed from the saloon are proven and shouldn't let you down

Safety & security
Safety equipment is comprehensive with an electronic stability control system and anti-lock brakes as standard, along with twin front and side airbags. A strengthened windscreen surround and solid bars that pop up behind the rear headrests are aimed at limiting injuries should the car roll. A standard-fit alarm and deadlocks guard against theft

IN THE CABIN

Behind the wheel
The Cabrio has a superbly clear dash, and only the mass of climate control switches is rather distracting. The driver’s seat is supportive and has a fine range of adjustment, while two-way steering-wheel movement makes it easy to get comfortable. The hood can now be raised or lowered on the move below 19mph.

Space & practicality
Space up-front is plentiful, and there’s decent legroom for two in the rear and plenty of headroom with the roof up. The boot is a good shape, but is shallow with the hood down. Top up, a lever pushes the roof container out of the way to create much more space for bags.

Equipment
The A4 Cabrio is an upmarket car and so is kitted out appropriately. Equipment is generous, starting with an electric hood that folds at the touch of a button five seconds faster than before. Alloy wheels, climate control, driver and passenger airbags, and stability control are all standard.