CONFIRMED: Audi RS4 Cabrio coming for '08
Click image for 22-shot photo gallery
It had been the subject of speculation, and today, it's official. Audi will expand its RS4 lineup in the US with the addition of the 2008 RS4 Cabriolet. The two-door open-topper gets the same 420-horsepower 4.2L FSI V8 as its enclosed sedan sibling, just with better Conair potential thanks to that stowable roof. Audi says that around 300 of the ragtops are heading stateside, and that they'll be here in the fall. The beautiful people from Malibu to Miami Beach have a new bauble to lust after. Come to think of it, so do we.
Press release after the jump.
[Source: Audi USA via AudiWorld]
Gallery: Audi RS4 Cabriolet
PRESS RELEASE:
Audi RS 4 Cabriolet Coming to U.S. for 2008 Model Year
RS 4 sedan receives enhancements for 2008
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi of America, Inc. announced today that the RS 4 Cabriolet model will come to U.S. showrooms as a 2008 model, and the RS 4 sedan will have new features and option packages. Approximately 300 of the limited-production RS 4 Cabriolets will be sold in the U.S. The RS 4 Cabriolet models will arrive in fall of 2007. Pricing and equipment for the 2008 RS 4 Cabriolet will be announced at a later date.
The RS 4 Cabriolet shares the same high-revving 4.2 V8 FSI engine found in the RS 4 sedan. It produces 420 hp at 7,800 rpm and 317 ft-lbs. of torque at 5,500 rpm. Like the sedan, the Cabriolet will only be available with a six- speed manual and quattro(R) all-wheel drive featuring the asymmetrical dynamic torque split. Like the sedan, the Cabriolet will have 19" RS 4-style alloy wheels with 255/35/19 performance tires, a four-link front and trapezoidal- link rear sport-tuned suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), and 14.4" front and 12.8" rear brake rotors.
The RS 4 sedan also gets some new and unique features for 2008. Two new option packages, the Titanium package and Audi exclusive package, will be available. The $750 Titanium package consists of titanium colored 19" RS 4- style alloy wheels, black front grille, black side window moldings, black interior headliner, and piano black interior trim. The $3,800 Audi exclusive package has Crimson red leather seat centers (black leather side bolsters and head rests) and door trim, contrasting red seat piping, red stitching on the shift boot and steering wheel, piano black interior trim, carpeted floor mats with RS 4 logo and contrasting piping, and Audi exclusive badging. Sirius satellite radio and Bluetooth will become standard equipment on the RS 4 sedan.
For more information about Audi, please visit www.media.audiusa.com
"quattro" is a registered trademark of AUDI AG. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jason Teller 4:21PM (6/06/2007)
If you are wondering why no Avant... there is a valid explanation. Full details in the AudiWorld article.
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freckles 11:46AM (6/06/2007)
nice! tough choice between this and the m3 convertible
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saluki 11:51AM (6/06/2007)
Yeah I'm going to keep that and the M3 convert in mind the next time I'm looking for a 4,000lb "sports car"
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testa di cazzo 11:56AM (6/06/2007)
yes in all honesty, the supercharged ragtops are a bit ridiculous. i LOVE this car, as a saloon. i think the RS4 saloon is the best sports sedan bar none.
but it makes no sense as a ragtop. it's supposed to be a performance car, but the convertible just makes it so heavy its kindof pointless...
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Mike 12:03PM (6/06/2007)
@testa di cazzo: Let's be honest, very few enthusiasts are going to drive this...rich old people are going to drive this.
My best friends dad owns a 2005 Audi S4 Cabrio. He's a 66 yr. old NYC surgeon. He bought it for the exhaust note, the topless feature (to be seen), and the quick acceleration on the on-ramps during those few trips he makes out of town.
That is why people buy things like this. They don't care about added weight or frame stiffness or bla bla bla.
Mike 11:59AM (6/06/2007)
Here comes AUDI with the BMW M3 Convertible / Mercedes CLK hurtin' bomb!
Love Audi, keep it comin'!
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Ed Kapuscinski 1:56PM (6/06/2007)
Sure, it may not rack up the best times around the ring, but this type of thing hits that real important "grin" sweet spot.
It's not only about pure performance, it's about how much fun you have doing it. I think this would rate VERY highly on that scale.
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jp Rowan 1:43PM (6/06/2007)
It is great to see more and more of the RS range hit the states. Audi seems to be doing what it needs to become a major player over here.
http://www.refinedrogue.com
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Sherief 1:22PM (6/06/2007)
Audi! No one asked for the convertible. We want the RS4 Avant!!
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Rade 1:12PM (6/06/2007)
AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT? AVANT?
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mercury26 2:00PM (6/06/2007)
Avant? Ditto!
robz4 1:23PM (6/06/2007)
I agree with Mike above with his comment about who will buy a car like this.I might also add that it will also be bought by poseurs that just want to have the latest fashion car and only want to impress people around them.You will never see them near a race track.
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Stuart 3:32PM (9/14/2008)
It's so amusing reading negative comments on this car from people who have never driven it-True armchair critics! My last car, a Porsche GT3 daily driver that I put 27,000 miles a year on certainly qualifies me as an enthusiast. The RS4 cab is less than .5 sec slower than the R8, has same brakes, etc. It's only 600 lbs heavier than the R8 and has incredible real-life-usable performance and practicality. I don't know how Audi does it.
Get off the sofa and actually DRIVE something before you put it down-stats on paper do not define real life driving experiences!
bgdc 1:45PM (6/06/2007)
Yeah, a 4000+ lbs "sporty" car. lol
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mk 4:41PM (6/06/2007)
LOL @ people complaining about it weighing 4000lbs.
Come on guys the RS4 _sedan_ is 4000lbs.
But so is an M6, S6, RS6, S8, any AMG car with the 6.3L V8, any Aston martin (cept maybe the AMV8), the Bugatti Veyron, etc, etc, etc...
And yes, this RS4 cab will be even heavier.
But who cares? Anyone who genuinely wants a real sports car should probably ignore any car in the four seat category in the first place. A RS4 sedan is not a sports car and, in turn, neither is this RS4 cabriolet. But if I am already making the compromise, then I will go the full 9 yards and take off the top as well.
crossphaded 2:12PM (6/06/2007)
Hmmm...I would rather have Audi just wait and bring over the RS5 Vert, which would look so much more sexxier.
Like Rade said, I'd rather see the RS4 Avant come over...I think it would sell better and would be, hands-down, the baddest wagon in the US market.
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testa di cazzo 2:24PM (6/06/2007)
speaking of avant, what i'm waiting for, and have been waiting for for a long time, is the new RS6, which i HOPE they will make in an avant version. i love driving in europe and seeing audi station wagons blowing by "sports coupes"...hehe
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Bill Hancock 3:41PM (6/06/2007)
Its not as mean looking as the Sedan.
Ill still take one in black please
Why couldnt autoblog give away a car like this for its re-launch celebration?
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bgdc 5:39PM (6/06/2007)
Why bother if it's that heavy? The base RS4's performance is compromised by Audi's infuriating desire to make every car a tank; lopping off the top and grafting reinforcements to the chassis will only result in car that drives like a cement truck. Sure it'll go fast in a straight line but hit those switchbacks and the car will reveal its Nell Carter-ish weight problems.
Might as well date a supermodel and force her to wear an iron chastity belt. Sure she's nice to look at but don't expect to have any fun with her.
sfast 9:17PM (6/06/2007)
Why is it the RS4 Cabrio? Why is it not a RS5 cabrio? Whatever.
And who cares how much it weights? The S4/RS4 combo has beaten the M3 in a few caranddriver compairos.
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