Audi has confirmed that its new RS 4 Cabriolet will go on sale in Australia, completing the company’s ultimate super car family.

The RS 4 Cabriolet will now join the RS 4 sedan, launched locally in May, and the RS 4 Avant which will arrive in October this year.

The most powerful open-top car from Audi will be an exclusive limited edition model for Australia. Just 25 units will be sold, priced at $187,500 (RRP). The vehicles are expected to arrive around January 2007.

Already, around 15 orders have been snapped up by keen customers.

The RS 4 Cabriolet puts Audi at the forefront of the four-seater convertible segment. Never before has Audi built such a powerful cabriolet, combining motor sport technology with the exhilaration of open-top driving.

Along with the highest level of sports performance, the RS 4 Cabriolet treats its passengers to an unmistakeable acoustic experience. The throaty sound of the 4.2 FSI V8 engine will set pulses racing and with the roof down, the hearty, burbling engine note will reach the occupants' ears unfiltered for maximum effect.

The electro-hydraulic hood can be opened entirely automatically in 21 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 30 km/h. The acoustic hood, a standard feature of the RS 4 Cabriolet, sets new standards for soft tops. New fabrics of a higher material density and an additional cushioned mat around the C-post keep the noise level inside the car with the hood up virtually on a par with the saloon.

The Audi RS 4 Cabriolet incorporates countless new features, many of them with their origins in the world of motor sport. Most notably, there is the V8 engine with an output of 309 kW. The engine has a displacement of 4,163 cm3 and breaks through the magic barrier of 100 bhp per litre of swept volume. The highly compact power unit reaches its peak torque of 430 Nm at 5,500 rpm.

Some 90 percent of the total torque is available between 2,250 and 7,600 rpm. The result is excellent pulling power at all times, enabling the driver to drive in a relaxed style without frequent gear changes.

Even though the RS 4 Cabriolet's weight has been rigorously trimmed down to maintain its excellent power-to-weight ratio, in common with all other RS 4 models, no corners have been cut with either its equipment or standards of safety.

The improved crash strength of the latest A4 Cabriolet generation has likewise benefited the open-top RS 4. The front and side airbags are standard features, as are the rollover bars that extend behind the rear seats in the event of the car overturning.

The standard specification of the new Cabriolet is the same as the highly equipped Sedan and Avant models, however this very special vehicles also features:

• Sports seats with electric adjustment and memory function for the driver. It also includes easy entry function for the rear.
• Silk Nappa leather with a choice of black or silver with contrasting piping.
• S4-style exterior mirrors in RS matt aluminium finish with automatic dimming and memory functions
• Front seat heating.
• Wind deflector

Each vehicle will also be identified with a limited edition ID plate.

Exterior Design
An RS 4 constitutes racing technology in civilian garb. Visually, there is much that is reminiscent of the corresponding models in the Audi A4 car line. But the RS 4 models are more than just faster versions of Audi's successful midsize category winner. Both the technology beneath its bodywork and countless details of its exterior design drive this fact home.

The diamond-pattern radiator grille, the additional air inlets in the front end as well as wheels developed specifically for the RS 4 clearly differentiate the car from a standard Audi A4. Flared sills and lower door trims coordinated with the sills are other differentiating features.

The ride height has been lowered by 30 millimetres. The developers have also widened the front and rear track, resulting in a widening of the vehicle body, with correspondingly flared wheel arches.

The car not only sits more unwaveringly on the road as a result, but also handles better.

The interior
Inside, the RS 4 combines the functionality of a sports car with the luxurious ambience so typical of all Audi models. Leather, aluminium, and carbon fibre are the predominant materials. But at the same time the RS 4 comes with all the additional qualities typical of a genuine sports car.

This becomes clear as soon as you sit in it and is where the RS 4 Cabriolet differs from its Avant and saloon counterparts. The Cabriolet comes with Sports seats as standard, though the inflating RS bucket seats can be ordered as an option at no extra cost. What all versions have in common is the flat-bottomed RS sports steering wheel and the engine start button on the centre console. These, too, provide echoes of motor sport, as do the aluminium pedals.

The Sport button on the steering wheel delivers even more dynamic performance when required. The accelerator characteristic changes progressively, so the engine is perceived to respond sooner.

The RS 4 represents the first time that a manufacturer has combined petrol direct injection with a high-revving concept. Engine speeds of up to 8,250 rpm are possible. Another highlight is the suspension with the latest generation of quattro permanent four-wheel drive with asymmetric/dynamic torque split and Dynamic Ride Control.

The new RS 4 Cabriolet will take its place at the top of the top-down market in Australia, following its introduction in early 2007.

Pricing for Australia
Audi RS 4 sedan $164,500
Audi RS 4 Avant $168,100
Audi RS 4 Cabriolet $ 187,500

Dual Airbags for the Nissan Patrol DX wagon
28th August, 2006
Nissan Australia has announced another safety upgrade for its rugged Patrol four-wheel drive range – the addition of standard dual airbags to the Patrol DX wagon - available from October 2006 ..... more

Around Australia for Under $1,000!
27th August, 2006
Ford's LPG Challenge returned to Melbourne at 3:15pm on Friday 25th August after driving more than 13,950kms around Australia and spending only $997.55 on fuel by filling up solely on LPG ..... more

Volkswagen Iroc concept car
25th August, 2006
The largest car maker in Europe showed the reinterpretation of the successful Scirocco idea in a world premiere in Berlin last night – the Iroc concept ..... more

Saab Icon Celebrates 20 Years
24th August, 2006
The iconic Saab convertible turns 20 this year and to celebrate Saab is launching a limited edition 20th Anniversary Convertible ..... more

VW supply 200 T5s to the UK's AA
22nd August, 2006
The UK’s largest breakdown organisation, the AA, has strengthened its roadside recovery fleet with an order for 200 Volkswagen Transporters ..... more

Team Hummer Looks to Continue Winning Streak
22nd August, 2006
Team Hummer, one of off-road racing's most successful teams, looks to continue their 13-race streak of placing a Hummer on the podium ..... more

New cone laying machine
21st August, 2006
A new machine to improve safety and reduce congestion at roadworks on high-speed roads was unveiled, in England ..... more

VW Eos Highway 1 Debuts At Pebble Beach
20th August, 2006
The Volkswagen Eos Highway 1 design study debuted, this weekend, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance ..... more

Gordon Murray joins Caparo
18th August, 2006
Vehicle light-weighting expert Gordon Murray has been appointed director of advanced concepts at Caparo Vehicle Products ..... more

Woodward Dream Cruise: Ford
18th August, 2006
At this year’s Woodward Dream Cruise, one of America's great motoring events, Ford Motor Company is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the quintessential hot rod, the ’32 Ford, also known as the "Deuce" ..... more

America's Saab Enthusiasts Head for the Adirondacks
18th August, 2006
Saab owners and enthusiasts will gather to celebrate their passion for their cars and the Saab brand at the 24th annual North American Saab Owners Convention ..... more

Cadillac CTS Reaches New Milestone
18th August, 2006
Taking home a new Cadillac is a special occasion for Americans (if not the rest of the world) and this was especially true last week for the Luyber family ..... more

Woodward Dream Cruise: General Motors
17th August, 2006
Milestone GM vehicles from every era, including the future, will be on display and on the road Saturday, 19th August, at America's 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise ..... more

Ford Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Hot Rod
17th August, 2006
The year was 1932. The United States was reeling from the Great Depression. War loomed in Europe. Famine ravaged Russia. Yet hope and innovation were dawning ..... more

Touareg V10 TDI Pushes New Diesel Trend in USA
17th August, 2006
The Touareg V10 TDI, a series production off-road vehicle, has reached the summit of Pikes Peak at 4,300 metres for the first time in the history of the legendary "Race to the Clouds" ..... more

Suzuki To Expand Production
16th August, 2006
Suzuki has announced that it will add a new manufacturing plant – with a capacity of 240,000 compact vehicles – to its Sagara facility at Makinohara-City, Shizuoka, Japan ..... more

Who’s Driving What at the Goodwood Revival 2006
14th August, 2006
The Goodwood Revival, set to take place this year on 1st-3rd September, relives the glory days of Goodwood Motor Circuit, which – along with Silverstone – was Britain’s leading racing venue during its active years between 1948 and 1966 ..... more

Peugeot 908 RC Set to Steal the Limelight
14th August, 2006
Peugeot always shines at the Paris Motor Show and with the unveiling of the 908 RC, Peugeot will certainly have the star of the show gracing its Motor Show stand in September ..... more

Suzuki Makes A Splash In Paris
14th August, 2006
Suzuki’s exhibit at the 2006 Paris Motor Show (28th September to 15th October) will include the following: the Swift Sport (European Specification) and the Splash concept car ..... more

Morgan To Unveil US Aero 8 at Pebble Beach
13th August, 2006
It will be unveiled, next weekend, during the Pebble Beach Concours and the Monterey Historic race meeting in California ..... more

VE Commodore: Safety The Priority
13th August, 2006
Real world crash situations were considered at every phase of design, development and testing to ensure the new VE Commodore range was the safest Commodore yet ..... more

Nissan's Campaign for Fully Loaded Tiida
11th August, 2006
With savings of up to $2,250, the retail campaign makes all Tiida hatch and sedan variants outstanding value propositions ..... more

GM Will Build An All-New Chevrolet Camaro
11th August, 2006
GM chief Rick Wagoner announced overnight that GM will build an all-new version of the Chevrolet Camaro sport coupe for 2009 ..... more

Lamborghini On Track For Best Year Ever
9th August, 2006
Worldwide sales increased during the first six months from 655 to 952 vehicles, 45% more than in the same period last year ..... more

Mitsubishi Continues To Beat Its Objectives
8th August, 2006
Mitsubishi Motors has continued to improve its business position, as well as exceed many of its business targets during July ..... more

Aixam  Alfa Romeo  Aston Martin  Audi  Bentley  BMW  Bugatti  Cadillac  Caterham  Chevrolet  Chrysler  Citroen  Dacia  Daewoo  Dodge  Elfin  Ferrari  Fiat  Ford  GAZ  General Motors  Holden  Honda  Hummer  Jaguar  Jeep  Kia  Lamborghini  Land Rover  Lotus  Maserati  Maybach  Mazda  Mercedes-Benz  MG  Mini  Mitsubishi  Morgan  Nissan  Noble  Opel  Pagani  Peugeot  Pontiac  Porsche  Renault  Rolls Royce  Rover  Saab  Saturn  Seat  Skoda  Smart  Subaru  Suzuki  Vauxhall  Volkswagen  Volvo 

Antonov  Caparo  Connaught  FPV  Freestream  HSV  Jayco  Sprintex  Tempest 

Events  Museums  Shows