Only a small number of Audi S4 cabriolets came to Australia. We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity for a run in one of the most exciting cars that perception could ever envisage.

But the question is ..... is it possible to reconcile perception with reality?

Firstly, all S4 cabriolets have been sold. The new A4 cabriolet is now in Australia in lower level models. The next Audi cabriolet scheduled for local release is the RS 4. This model sits above the S4 in the Audi model range. The RS 4 cabriolet is due for an Australian release in coming weeks. Like the S4 cabriolet (which, by the way, will not appear in the new cabriolet line-up), the new RS 4 cabriolet will only be available in limited numbers.

The S4 cabriolet sold in the mid-$140,000s (RRP) range, whilst the new model cabriolet in RS 4 guise will appear on showroom floors at approximately $187,500 (RRP).

One thing about road tests, from the road tester's point of view, is that you simply do not just drive and drive a car which you do not enjoy! Perhaps that may appear somewhat obvious. But, at this point, I should point out that the Next Car team drove the Audi S4 cabriolet some 1,105 kms in just seven days. That said, it is quite safe to assume that the Audi S4, just as perception suggests, is quite an impressive car. And on paper it is!

A look at the specs reveal that the S4 cabriolet comes standard with the exciting Audi 4.2 litre V8, which produces an amazing 253 kW of power at 7,000 rpm and delivers a massive 410 Newton-metres of torque at 3,500 rpm. Audi claims power of this calibre will provide performance of 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, just .2 second behind the wow-promoting Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX, which we named as the "Top Drive of 2006" just a few days ago. The accelerator pedal provides instant commands to the very responsive engine.

The power is put on the road via a 6-speed tiptronic transmission. Shift paddles on the steering wheel provide sports type driving for those who desire/require such a feature. The legendry quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard, of course.

On the road, the Audi S4 cabriolet demonstrates that the 4.2 litre V8 knows how to howl! The audible expression (that should read AUDIble expression, so to speak) of the exhaust is particularly pleasing. So good is the sound that you just want to run at 4,000 rpm continually. That isn't practical, but it is certainly rewarding.

The traction provided by the quattro all-wheel-drive system is well known. Once again we were able to prove the worthiness of this legendry asset, which is fitted to many Audi products. The traction, the power, the acceleration, the howl, the braking, the steering, the cabin comfort, the standard equipment list, the visual effects, the handling and the firm, yet comfortable, ride all contribute to making the Audi S4 one of the most appealing cars on the road today. But in the Audi S4 cabriolet there is one major set-back. It's the cowl-shake. Many soft-tops have this inherent feature, sadly. But not all cars have it as bad as the Audi cabriolet. For example, the new Mitsubishi Colt cabriolet suffers much less cowl-shake than the Audi S4 cabriolet. Yet the Colt is more than $100,000 cheaper than the S4! How does Audi feel about that?

Sure the Audi S4 cabriolet is an attractive car. And the specs ensure that the car is viewed as a highly desirable motoring device. But the inherent cowl-shake is very pronounced. As such, the driving experience of the cabriolet is not as satisfying as it should be and it is certainly not near as appealing as driving the impressive Audi S4 sedan.

On that basis, the highly desirable S4 sedan makes much more sense to me. Although, in these times of materialism, there will be some who will take all the cowl-shake they can get, just to be seen in an Audi cabriolet. And that says it all, doesn't it, some people just need to be seen!

And if you were going to be seen, what would you prefer to be seen in?