Autocar - News and reviews from the original car experts

First Drive

• More Pics
• Email
• Print

Your Say

Start the discussion

Audi A4 2.0T

Test date 22 October 2005  Price as tested  £27,870

The trouble with good-looking designs comes when you have to refresh them. Audi would probably rather not tamper with the A4 cabriolet’s look, but eventually the elegant convertible had to adopt the corporate face.

The imposing one-piece grille and slanty headlamps conjure a more assertive and masculine face than before; whether this suits the convertible is debatable, but it certainly brings the design up to date. But there are no arguments with the improvements to the car’s dynamics – all models now share suspension components with the performance S4 model and inherit stronger dampers from the A6 which give better balance and control.

More noticeable still are steering modifications adding weight and feel to what was previously a lifeless and light helm.

But let’s be realistic, most A4 cabriolets are not bought for their handling finesse and the majority of buyers will struggle to notice these small amendments. Thankfully, the adjustments do nothing to reduce the car’s cruising ability and on Quattro models actually improve the ride quality.

There’s also a revised range of engines, all of which are already available in the saloon and Avant models. The petrol line-up retains the trusty 1.8T and 4.2V8 bruiser, but trades the 2.4 for the 197bhp 2.0 turbo from the Golf GTi, and the 3.0 makes way for a 3.2. Diesel options expand with either a 2.0 four-cylinder or 3.0 V6. With its lighter weight helping the car’s balance and broad torque curve the 2.0T is the engine of choice.

Make you own mind up about the look, but the revised suspension and new engines are definite improvements to this boulevard cruiser.

Jamie Corstorphine