- Competent ride/handling balance
- High standard of interior fit and finish
- CVT contributes to flexible performance
- Well-insulated roof is quick to fold away
- Light, over-assisted steering lacks feel
- Cramped rear seats and small boot with roof retracted
- Dynamics fall short of BMW E93 3-Series Convertible
- FSI engines suceptible to carbon deposits on the intake valves
Overview
Released in June 2006, the Audi B7 A4 Cabriolet was a two-door, four-seat soft-top convertible. Manufactured in Ingolstadt, Germany, the Audi A4 Cabriolet range initially consisted of the 1.8T and 3.2 FSI variants, but was expanded in 2007 with the 3.2 FSI quattro and, in 2008, by the 2.0 TFSI; the front-wheel drive 3.2 FSI, however, was discontinued. Both the 3.2 FSI quattro and 2.0 TFSI were solely available in ‘S-Line’ editions.
| Variant | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8T | 2006-09 | 1.8-litre BFB turbo petrol I4 | 7sp CVT | 120 kW at 5700 rpm | 225 Nm at 1950-4700 rpm |
| 3.2 FSI | 2006-07 | 3.1-litre AUK petrol V6 | 7sp CVT | 188 kW at 6500 rpm | 330 Nm at 3250 rpm |
| 3.2 FSI quattro | 2007-09 | 3.1-litre AUK petrol V6 | 6sp auto | ||
| 2.0 TFSI | 2008-09 | 2.0-litre BWE turbo petrol I4 | 7sp CVT | 147 kW at 6000 rpm | 280 Nm at 1800-5000 rpm |
Dimensions and B6 comparison
Sharing its chassis with the Audi B6 A4 Cabriolet , the B7 A4 Cabriolet was only 1 mm longer (at 4574 mm), 3 mm narrower (1774 mm), the same height (1391 mm) and had the same length wheelbase (2650 mm).
Compared to the B6 A4 Cabriolet , the B7 A4 Cabriolet:
- provided greater occupant protection due to its stronger B-pillars;
- Introduced Servotronic speed-sensitive steering;
- Introduced Bosch 8.0 electronic stability control programming; and,
- Could be identified by its revised front and rear ends, the former featuring a single-frame trapezoidal grille.
Suspension
The Audi B7 A4 Cabriolet had four-link front suspension and self-tracking trapezoidal link rear suspension. However, suspension mountings and the dimensions of the shock absorbers were adopted from the Audi C6 A6 , while the rear trapezoidal links, wheel carriers and front track rods were adapted from the Audi B6 S4 .
quattro all-wheel drive system
The Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.2 FSI’s ‘quattro’ four-wheel drive system utilised a Torsen T-2 centre differential. In normal conditions, the system provided a default front:rear torque split of 50:50, though up to two-thirds of the engine’s torque could be directed to either axle in the event that traction was lost. A rear electronic differential lock enabled braking of a single rear wheel to produce cross-axle torque transfer to the opposing rear wheel at speeds of up to 80 km/h.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Audi B7 A4 Cabriolet included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, an automatically deploying rollover bar and seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters for all seats.
Features
Standard features for the Audi A4 Cabriolet 1.8T included 17-inch alloy wheels, a nine speaker sound system with a six-disc CD changer, Nappa leather seats, dual zone climate control air conditioning, power adjustable and heated front seats, cruise control, front and rear fog lamps, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a trip computer and an immobiliser. The 3.2 FSI was further equipped with rear parking sensors.
The A4 Cabriolet’s power-operated soft-top roof had a heated glass rear window and could be opened or closed in twenty-one seconds.
A4 Cabriolet S-Line
Within the A4 Cabriolet range, the 2.0 TFSI and 3.2 FSI quattro variants were offered in S-Line editions. For the 2.0 TFSI, the S-Line edition added bi-xenon headlights, front parking sensors and an alarm system; the range-topping 3.2 FSI quattro was distinguished by its 18-inch alloy wheels and electrochromatic door mirrors.
Related links
- Technical Specifications: Audi B7 A4 Cabriolet 1.8T (July 2006)
- Technical Specifications: Audi B7 A4 Cabriolet 3.2 FSI (July 2006)
- Wikipedia.org: Audi B7 A4
