Audi RS4 Cabriolet pricing announced

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The Audi RS4 is one of the meaner machines you can plunk your hard-earned money down on. 420 horses out of Audi's high-revving 4.2L FSI V8 will do that (especially when combined with the car's particularly muscular aural signature). As we already reported, US residents finally get their shot at the droptop version of the RS4, and Audi of America has come clean with the pricing. If you want the RS4 Cabriolet, you'll need to part with $81,900 plus a $775 destination charge and a to-be-determined gas-guzzler tax. Oh, and that V8 doing the guzzling is only available mated to a 6-speed manual and the quattro AWD system.
In return for that not-insignificant sum, you get an RS4 minus two doors and a roof (all the better to appreciate the raucous goings-on at the car's exhaust tips), plus loads of standard convenience/luxury equipment like the (excellent) Audi Music Interface, which provides full iPod integration via the car's nav screen and MMI controller. 81 grand represents a hefty premium over the RS4 sedan's $66K price, but it comes with exclusivity -- Audi's only planning to import 300 or so to the US -- and for some of the car's buyers, the open-air experience alone might justify the cost. No worries for Audi, regardless. They'll sell 'em all.
[Source: Audi of America]
Gallery: Audi RS4 Cabriolet
PRESS RELEASE:
Audi Announces 2008 RS 4 Cabriolet Pricing and Equipment
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 25 -- Audi of America, Inc. announced today the pricing of its RS 4 Cabriolet model at $81,900. The destination charge will be $775, and the gas guzzler tax will be determined prior to arrival at U.S. showrooms in fall 2007.
Because of its limited production, RS 4 Cabriolet will only be offered with standard equipment, including navigation system plus, preparation for mobile phone (Bluetooth(R)), SIRIUS(R) satellite radio, Bose(R) sound system, heated front and rear seats, memory function for driver seat and exterior mirrors, bi-xenon adaptive headlamps, rear parking system, acoustic convertible top, HomeLink(R) garage/gate opener, auto dimming exterior mirrors, auto dimming interior rear-view mirror with integrated compass, rain and light sensor with "coming home" feature, color driver information system, iPod(R) glovebox interface (no-cost option in place of standard 6-CD changer), brushed aluminum decorative inlays (no-cost option in place of RS 4 carbon fiber decorative inlays).
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 transmission 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 high-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 disc brake rotors.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Christopher Watts 11:12AM (6/25/2007)
82 THOUSAND dollars???!!!???
82 THOUSAND dollars???!!!???
Seriously??!!!???
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bmoredlj 11:19AM (6/25/2007)
PLAYoffs? PLAYOFFS? Don't talk to me about PLAYOFFS! PLAYOFFS? You kiddin' me?
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Alex 11:20AM (6/25/2007)
Yeah right, I'm plunking down 82K for a front-heavy Audi with lifeless steering...
This money is Porshe 911 territory, and THAT is the proper car for the money!
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zamafir 11:28AM (6/25/2007)
"Yeah right, I'm plunking down 82K for a front-heavy Audi with lifeless steering... "
So what you're telling us is you've never driven the car? Gotcha. Go do us all a favor and test drive a friend's, it's the first audi to conquer the whole front heavy crap steering problem, mostly because they stole a few M engineers from BMW. There is no greater four door car on the market, the RS4 even has little trouble besting the M5 which costs substantially more. Though do to their limited numbers, they aren't readily available, the 'general' public doesn't have a chance to drive them, and thus we get comments like yours. News flash, an RS4 will keep up with a gallardo on the track, a gallardo will keep up with a 911, this car is well worth whatever Audi wants to charge for it at a
zamafir 11:34AM (6/25/2007)
...
Mike 11:48AM (6/25/2007)
Zamafir is right. If you had ever driven one of these you would not make those 911 comments.
I myself have never either, but I have driven a 2006 Audi S4 drop top and it's def. one of the best cars I have ever had the pleasure of driving. It performs with the best German sports cars and seats four and has all-wheel drive.
It's the definition of performance sedan. You literally can drive it like a Porsche 911 or BMW M-Series on I-95 one day and be going to pick up groceries in the snow the next...and all w/o the snobbery of BMW, MB or Porsche.
Great performer and uber-versatile car.
aSHIRTandTIEguy 2:51PM (6/25/2007)
80,000 to 100,000 dollars for a Audi?
It's like paying 80,000 for a Lotus or 100,000 for a Viper! It's just too much. You know what the real problem is with Audi? No matter how good it is. It does not look very nice and in the end it's just a Volkswagen.
DEEP DEEP DOWN, people who drive Mini's buy it just because it's a BMW. Well those that gloat that they drive an "Audi RS4" or whatever Audi model, I just answer "Really? So? I don't like VW anyways." and that shuts them up! They feel belittled and are angry to be under cut. Well Audi is undercut by itself so why shouldn’t others?
And cars at this price are bough not for what they were really engineered for. Wealthy hard working people want to reward themselves and drive a car that no other person has. Why toil if there is no sense of reward or benefit. The Audi is a dolled up VW that costs 80 thousand plus, for those who want an exclusive auto.
Perfect interiors and nice stats on paper are good. But why not just get a Lexus at that price. At least that Toyota will be reliable and paying 100,000 for a Toyota that will never breakdown or have a single problem, does not seem like much especially when you trade it in for 60,000 to 70,000 dollars towards another car. Audi's do not have the same resale value AND the Audi will be in the shop daily. Audi is a lost cause like Saab. Buy a Lincoln/Cadillac instead! Better to have poor resale value on a car in which the capital remains in your own country.
epilonious 4:22PM (6/25/2007)
while I do not adore VAG products, the RS4 definitely doesn't have any comparable products in the VAG stable.
Audi, like Lexus, borrows and tarts up one car and one CUV (well, Toyota actually stole several CUVs) from it's cheaper sister company and the rest of the models are relatively independent. Yes, they might share the same light bulbs but they are most likely manufactured by suppliers anyways. Thus, saying "oh, go get a lexus instead" is relatively idiotic.
ShirtandTieGuy is acting like an RS4 is comparable to a GTI R32. That's like saying an M3 is comparable to a Mini cooper S.
Tyo 11:25AM (6/25/2007)
I dont know about all that, what wins in a straight line the base carrera youd get for under 100k or this rs4. Then consider it can fit 4 people and can be drove in inclimate waether, i think you have a winner.
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JDL 11:45AM (6/25/2007)
I've driven the car a number of time on track and regular roads, an have even instructed students with RS4s.
It's a fun car, but it still has a lot of weight up front. The stock brake pads easily get overworked at Road Atlanta and VIR, for example.
But turning of ESC and working the throttle CAN get it to slide. But it's still nose heavy.
JDL 11:46AM (6/25/2007)
Sorry...was trying to figure out how to respond to zamafir
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foo 12:44PM (6/25/2007)
wow...you're better off getting a P-car...or the new M3 will be faster and cost less...wtf are they thinking.
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zamafir 1:53PM (6/25/2007)
Cost less.. a grand or two according to BMW...
The M3 will need to be faster because it's not now, and that's exactly what audi is thinking, there isn't a four seater convert that can best this car on the track for anywhere near 80,000. Which is why audi priced it where they did.
@Ligor_ actually we won't, because the new M3 had damn well better be faster given it's nearly the same money, and lighter. If it bests the then older RS4 around the track, we'll have no problems agreeing - trouble is, the RS4 is the current champ for the moment, thus the sort of responses you see from people like me.. based on the fact that it'll spank an M3 on the track, unless pretty much every automotive rag/show are in mass cahoots.
blueguydotcom 12:39PM (6/25/2007)
82k for a 4000+ lbs "sports" coupe? LOL
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Toy Yoda 12:55PM (6/25/2007)
It does seem like alot of money. Especially, since I usually associate the Audi 4's with BMW 3's. But the new M3 is suppose to be comparable in price. And, when you think about it, the BMW 6 series is roughly the same amount of money, gives you less HP, and doesn't handle as well, and was not designed for 4 people in mind. I know, I have a 6-series.
But, in my opinion, my BMW 6 looks like $80k. The RS4 looks too pedestrian for the price and that's my only complaint. Aside from that I guess the RS4 is reasonably priced.
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Ligor 1:40PM (6/25/2007)
just lihe the sedan RS4, this coupe will be undermined once the new M3 hits the streets.
Audi should just enjoy this spot in the light, cause I will see many of you complain later and call Motortrend and Car and Driver invalid or sth since they will pick the M3 ahead of this RS4
58% up front is still 58% up-front not matter how the cahasis behaves.
i'd stick with a regular 335i before this RS4 and get a used 911turbo with the remainder of the money.
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Ligor 1:41PM (6/25/2007)
and Mike, you claim to havedriven an S4 then go to compare this car to the 911's and such,
unless you have driven those cars your claim is like making a hole in water.
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Christopher Watts 2:31PM (6/25/2007)
hmmm...like un-Holy Water
Sherief 2:16PM (6/25/2007)
AVANT AVANT AVANT AVANT AVANT AVANT AVANT
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Johnnie 2:16PM (6/25/2007)
Screw the convertible.
Bring over the Avant!!!!!
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