- 3.0-litre V6 engine provides responsive and refined performance
- CVT provides economical, seamless performance
- Competent dynamics on smooth roads
- Nose-heavy and handling loses composure in tight, bumpy corners
- Lacks handling prowess of BMW E46 3-Series Convertible
- Light, over-assisted steering
- High repair costs
Overview
Released in December 2002, the Audi B6 A4 Cabriolet was a two-door, four-seat convertible with a soft-top roof. Manufactured in Ingolstadt, Germany, the front-wheel drive A4 Cabriolet was initially available with a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine (the ‘3.0’ variant), but was available with a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (‘1.8T’) from early 2003. A continuously variable transmission – Audi’s ‘Multitronic’ – was standard across the range.
| Variant | Engine | Trans. | Years | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8T | 1.8-litre BFB turbo petrol I4 | CVT | 2003-06 | 120 kW at 5700 rpm | 210 Nm at 1750-1950 rpm |
| 3.0 | 3.0-litre BBJ petrol V6 | CVT | 2002-06 | 160 kW at 6300 rpm | 300 Nm at 3200 rpm |
Dimensions and suspension
Compared to the Audi B6 A4 sedan on which it was based, the A4 Cabriolet was 26 mm longer (at 4573 mm), 11 mm wider (1777 mm), 37 mm lower (1391 mm) and had a 4 mm longer wheelbase (2654 mm). The A4 Cabriolet’s power-operated soft-top roof included a heated glass rear window and could be opened or lowered in twenty-four seconds.
The Audi A4 Cabriolet had four-link front suspension and trapezoidal link rear suspension.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Audi B6 A4 Cabriolet included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted head/thorax airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, automatically deploying roll-over bars and seatbelts with pretensioners and limiters for all seats. The front differential also included an electronic differential lock.
Features
Standard features for the Audi A4 Cabriolet included 16-inch alloy wheels, a nine speaker sound system with a six-stack CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats, power adjustable and heated front seats, front seat memory settings, cruise control, xenon headlights with washers, front fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and an immobiliser.
The 3.0-litre V6 was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and an electrochromatic rear view mirror.
May 2004: Audi A4 Cabriolet update
The A4 Cabriolet was updated in May 2004 with standard features extended to include 17-inch alloy wheels; the 3.0 variants were further equipped with steering wheel gearshift buttons, a wind deflector and motion-sensing alarm.
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