2007 Audi S4 Cabriolet Review

Audi S4 Cabriolet – Review: When empty roads and bright blue skies beckon, few machines are more appropriate for a road trip than a performance-tuned, luxury-lined convertible. Fortuitous it was that we snagged the keys to the updated 2007 Audi S4 Cabriolet during a rare February heat wave in California; that we had a long holiday weekend with nothing better to do than drive Highway 58, which cuts across a third of the state from Bakersfield to Santa Margarita; and that the rest of the nation was frozen in winter’s icy grip while we dropped the top and blasted along freshly paved two-lane roads. Days like that make you glad to be alive, living in California, and driving the impressive Audi S4.

What We Drove

Our Brilliant Red 2007 Audi S4 Cabriolet carried a base price of $56,420 including the $720 destination charge. Add the mandatory gas guzzler tax of $1,700, and the least expensive S4 Cab will run $58,120. Heated front seats tack on another $450, and we’d recommend the optional $1,200 Tiptronic automatic transmission if you plan to do lots of city driving. The premium Bose audio system is an even grand. A Convenience Package is priced right at $1,050 and includes a wind blocker, adaptive front lighting, rain and light sensors, driver’s seat memory, auto-dimming mirrors, and a Homelink transmitter. Our test sample also had Audi Navigation Plus ($1,950) and carbon fiber beltline trim ($400) to bring the total price to $62,970.

Performance

Audi’s 4.2-liter V8 is a refined, powerful, mellifluous engine with what feels like a dead spot smack dab in the middle of its torque curve. The car launches quick and features a welcome well of motive force at the upper end of the rev range, but in between delivers less punch than one might expect from a 340-horsepower V8 with 302 lb.-ft. of torque peaking at 3,500 rpm. The S4 swills fuel like an SUV, delivering EPA ratings of 14 city and 19 highway and 16.1 mpg over several hundred miles of mixed driving. Launching the S4 is tricky due to sudden clutch engagement, but the six-speed manual is a pleasure to row between gears.

Handling

With standard Quattro all-wheel drive and a rigid chassis, the Audi S4 handled the twists, turns, and whoop-de-doos of California Highway 58 without fanfare. Pitch the car into a hairpin at twice the posted speed and there’s a hint of understeer as the 235/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sports grapple with all the weight over the front end, but stab the throttle at the apex and the S4 gathers itself up and exits with grace and agility. Around town, the ride is stiff and the Servotronic steering light and effortless, which is not to be confused with numb and senseless. Parking is a snap thanks to a tight turning circle. The brakes are easy to modulate and bring the S4 to a quick and clean stop.

Visibility

With the top up, rear visibility is almost nonexistent. The fabric roof’s rear “pillars” are wide, the glass rear window is small, and the back seat headrests are large. Reversing requires a prayer and an educated guess. Forward visibility is outstanding thanks to thin windshield pillars, and the large side mirrors offer a good view of adjacent lanes. As with any convertible, when the top is down visibility is dramatically improved.

Fun to Drive

With a sultry exhaust note that rivals Joss Stone’s vocals for raw sensuality, a fluid and positive gearbox that works better the harder it’s abused, impressive all-wheel-drive grip and delightful steering, the Audi S4 is definitely fun to drive. The V8, however, feels a little bit off its game when it comes to mid-range power delivery. BMW’s new turbocharged six-cylinder in the 3 Series convertible delivers more of a thrill, but the Audi’s four-season AWD makes the S4 a better choice in northern climates.

Front Comfort

Equipped with well-bolstered sport seats, the Audi S4 may pinch and squeeze larger people. Everyone else will deem these leather-upholstered beauties wonderful chairs from which to conduct the business of driving…or riding. The tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel is wrapped in smooth, fine leather; the center console armrest features plush padding; and the driver’s seat offers a thigh extension support. With the optional six-stage heaters, the seats capably battle chilly spring and fall days. Comfort downsides are the unyielding upper door panels and the restrictive leg room. If you like to rest your elbow on the window sill or move your legs about on a long trip, the S4 is not the car for you.

Rear Comfort

Though the rear seat itself is comfortable, leg room is at a premium if taller people are riding up front, a problem exacerbated by hard front seatbacks with storage netting appended to them. As long as the forward chairs can be powered a few inches toward the dash, however, the Audi S4 can accommodate adults in the rear seat. Handy levers and buttons fold the front seatbacks and power the seats forward to aid entry and egress.

Interior Noise

With the fabric top raised, the Audi S4 does an admirable job of keeping wind and traffic noise at bay thanks to its new acoustically-improved top design. Now, the main aural irritants surface from the tires and suspension, which generate more racket than a $63,000 automobile ought to. Drop the roof and all that road noise dissipates, replaced by cabin buffeting that can only be quelled by installing the windblocker over the rear seats and keeping the windows up.

Loading Cargo

Audi benefits from the use of a fabric roof when it comes to the S4’s trunk shape and volume. First, the liftover height is low and the opening large. Second, the trunk is deep if not particularly tall, and it’s usefully shaped. Third, there’s a small pass-through to the rear seat for longer items. Fourth, despite the 10.2 cu.-ft. trunk (top up) and all-wheel-drive mechanicals, Audi found a way to stuff a full-size spare under the floor. People who take frequent road trips will love this car for these reasons.

Build Quality

After evaluating a string of near flawless examples of Audi workmanship, we discovered a few build problems with our S4 convertible. Minor hood and trunk fit, variable headlamp installation, and what appeared to be glue from the right rear greenhouse trim marred the exterior. Inside, the driver’s door panel and the dashboard didn’t fit correctly, the upper and lower dash joints on either side of the center stack were sloppy, and either the glovebox door or the carbon fiber trim above it was misaligned, creating an inconsistent seam.