RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08

Deutsch · **RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-06-2007, 12:47 PM

This is great great news!!!

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Audi RS 4 Coming to U.S. for 2008 Model Year

Jun 6, 2007

source: Audi of America, Inc.

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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – 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.

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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® 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.

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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

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Mr. M · **Re: RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-06-2007, 01:33 PM

Awesome. I've seen this IRL, it's sex on wheels and then some.

Deutsch · **Re: RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-06-2007, 01:39 PM

With this announcement you see something that holds true for almost every car; you never buy the first year, things that are options now likely become standard equipment later.

Bartek Sikorski · **Re: RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-06-2007, 03:57 PM

RS4 Cabriolet Confirmed for US Market

Since the announcement and eventual arrival of the RS4 sedan in the US it has been a glass half full proposition for Audi aficionados.
The positive news was of course that the B7 RS4 was in fact offered at all, since the much revered B5 RS4 was never available in the American market. The more pessimistic view, however, held that the lack of an RS4 Avant was a glaring omission on Audi of America's part. That single model, given its matchless performance, design and utility, was held in the very highest esteem by hardcore brand enthusiasts.
Audi of America was well in tune with the situation and sought to homologate the RS4 Avant. Unfortunately, the design of the car became an impossible stumbling block based on US vehicle safety standards. The specific problem was Avant’s open trunk design combined with the battery location in the rear of the vehicle. Massive costs would be incurred to either relocate the battery and redesign the electrical system or to reinforce the area around the battery. In both cases additional crash testing would be required. The cost of doing this additional design work and testing would have made the price of each RS4 Avant astronomical.

The story could have ended there with the US having received its tight allocation of RS4 sedans, however another possibility came to the forefront. Given the fact that the US is by far the biggest market for Audi soft tops in the world it made sense to bring the RS4 Cabriolet, which could be successfully homologated with little fuss, instead. Audi of America will in fact be offering the RS4 Cabriolet for 2008.
An official press release is expected within days, but we’ve been able to piece together some preliminary information.
The RS4 Cabriolet will be limited to about 300 total vehicles all to be built this coming fall. It will be sold only in the US, meaning Canadians are out of luck this time around. Expect similar colors to the RS4 sedan, although a titanium package will not be available. It also appears that Audi Exclusive interiors – think all leather dashboard and enhanced stitching / materials – will not be offered either.

The RS4 Cabriolet gets the same high-revving 420 horsepower V8 as its sibling sedan and comes with the added advantage of top down driving which allows the engine and beefy exhaust note to be heard. The vehicle is lower by 30mm compared the A4 Cabriolet in order to emphasize its sporty appearance.
Next generation materials which provide both higher density and additional cushioning are utilized in the soft top. Audi claims that the noise level inside the car is nearly identical to the sedan. The top includes a fully heated glass rear window and can be opened or closed in 21 seconds.
As with all Audis safety has been emphasized even in the open top environment. Front and side airbags are standard equipment and rollover bars are automatically extended behind the rear seats in the event the car rolls over. Pricing and options for the US market RS4 Cabriolet have yet to be announced. That said, expect to see very similar packaging to the RS4 sedan whereby the car is nicely appointed in stock form and there is perhaps a Premium option package.

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

vroom_vroom · **Re: RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-06-2007, 04:59 PM

LOveLY car...BUt....america cat really make cars...and if they do make a good car...british will have sommin too do with it..

vroom_vroom · **Re: RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-06-2007, 05:01 PM

And why are audi really the only company which makes yellow look cool

Bartek Sikorski · **Re: RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-06-2007, 11:40 PM

Merc1 · **Re: RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-07-2007, 12:40 AM

Yet another Merc1 Allstar is born (imported), finally. Next to the R8 this is Audi's hottest car IMO. Now if they bring over the RS4 Avant they'll please even more hard core folks. This is what Audi should be doing bringing over as many specialty, image enhancing models as possible. Boy oh boy is an Audi showroom going to be quite a delerious place for 2008!

M

Deutsch · **Re: RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-07-2007, 12:46 AM

Not an A5 fan Merc?

Merc1 · **Re: RS4 Cabriolet coming to the U.S. for '08 -** 06-07-2007, 12:56 AM

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Originally Posted by Deutsch

Not an A5 fan Merc?

I gotta see that one first. One minute it looks gorgeous and then in another it doesn't. The RS4 sedan and S4 Cabrio give me more than enough of a preview for how the RS4 Cabrio will look.

M