It has {often|typically|usually} been {suggested|advised|instructed|prompt|recommended|steered|urged} that the {production|manufacturing} of convertibles, {like the|just like the} {length|size} of {women|girls|ladies}'s skirts, is reflective of {economic|financial} {times|instances|occasions}. When {times|instances|occasions} are {tough|powerful|robust}, convertible {offerings|choices} and hemlines drop. When prosperity and optimism run {high|excessive}, so does the {production|manufacturing} of rag tops (and the lack of {production|manufacturing} of skirt fabric). {Of course|After all|In fact}, ask {100|a hundred|one hundred} {people|folks|individuals} {today|as we speak|at present|at the moment|at this time|immediately|in the present day|right now|right this moment} {where|the place} {we are|we're} on the "prosperity-to-poverty" spectrum {and you'll|and you may|and you will} {likely|doubtless|possible|probably|seemingly} get {100|a hundred|one hundred} {different|completely different|totally different} {answers|solutions}. But one {issue|challenge|concern|difficulty|problem|situation|subject} that {can't be|cannot be} argued is the rampant success {enjoyed|loved} by Audi of America {over the last|during the last|over the past} eight years. After bottoming out at {just|simply} over 10,000 U.S. 1994 (and, rumor has it, being a "board {meeting|assembly} away" from ending {sales|gross sales} {in the|within the} U.S. A4 in 1996. The {result|consequence|end result|outcome} has been {a tremendous|an amazing|an incredible} {increase|enhance|improve} in {sales|gross sales}, with 2002 {looking to|seeking to|trying to} have over 90,000 {total|complete|whole} {vehicles|automobiles|autos} leaving U.S. Audi showrooms (over 100,000 {if you|for those who|if you happen to|in case you|in the event you|should you|when you} {include|embody|embrace} Canada). 42,245 ({including|together with} {destination|vacation spot} {charge|cost}). Even with 220 horsepower and 221 pound-{feet|ft|toes} of torque at its disposal, the A4 Cabriolet {can't|cannot} {hide|conceal|cover|disguise} its weight when pulling away from a stoplight.
Audi claims a 0-to-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds, which feels about {right|proper} to us. 55,000 {comparison|comparability} {test|check|take a look at}. The CVT, which {offers|affords|gives|presents|provides} undeniably {smooth|clean|easy} shifts and superior {gas|fuel|gasoline} mileage, {further|additional} contributes to the {car|automobile|automotive}'s {somewhat|considerably} mushy throttle response at low speeds. {The weight|The burden|The load} {issue|challenge|concern|difficulty|problem|situation|subject} was {similarly|equally} {apparent|obvious} {during|throughout} cornering, {though|although} to a lesser extent. Initial impressions {during|throughout} relaxed driving {suggested|advised|instructed|prompt|recommended|steered|urged} that the A4 Cabriolet would have a {solid|stable|strong} and {secure|safe} {feel|really feel} on twisty roads. With familiarity {came|got here} confidence, and as we pushed the {car|automobile|automotive} {harder|more durable|tougher} {through|by|by means of|by way of|via} sweeping corners we {were|had been|have been} {happy|blissful|comfortable|completely happy|completely satisfied|glad|joyful|pleased} {to discover|to find} that it remained {capable|succesful} even at {moderately|reasonably} aggressive {levels|ranges}. {None of the|Not one of the} {models|fashions} we sampled {were|had been|have been} {equipped|geared up|outfitted} with the {optional|elective|non-compulsory|non-obligatory|optionally available} Sport Package that {adds|provides} stiffer suspension tuning and 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/45R17 {performance|efficiency} tires ({the standard|the usual} tires are 215/55R16 all-season {versions|variations}). Clearly, this setup would add to the A4's {handling|dealing with} {ability|capability|capacity|means|potential|skill}, {but it|but it surely|however it|nevertheless it} bears noting that {the standard|the usual} suspension is {well|effectively|nicely|properly} suited to {comfortable|comfy|snug} cruising {around|round} {town|city} or on the {highway|freeway}.
Also suited to {comfort|consolation} is the {fully|absolutely|totally} {automatic|automated|computerized} {top|high|prime} design that retracts or expands in 24 seconds. Audi claims this time was {targeted|focused} {because|as a result of} {that's|that is} about how {long|lengthy} {the typical|the everyday|the standard} {red|crimson|pink|purple} {light|gentle|mild} lasts, {but|however} {we should|we must always|we should always} {mention|point out} that {is also|can also be|can be} {the exact|the precise} time it takes {the 3|the three} Series {power|energy} {top|high|prime} to do its {thing|factor}. A heated glass rear window is {standard|commonplace|customary|normal}, and the padded {top|high|prime} {features|options} {a three|a 3}-layer design that creates no {visible|seen} ridges when up, thus preserving the A4's classically {clean|clear} {body|physique} {shape|form}. {The top|The highest} {is also|can also be|can be} {said|mentioned|stated} to {feature|characteristic|function} horizontal cross bars {to keep|to maintain} it from flapping (or "bubbling," {as the|because the} Audi press {kit|equipment|package} says), {but|however} we heard it doing {just|simply} that {during|throughout} our {highway|freeway} run at speeds above 70 mph. At {lower|decrease} speeds, the cabin was impressively quiet, {but|however} {even more|much more} appreciated was the lack of buffeting at {highway|freeway} speeds when {the top|the highest} was down. A wind deflector ({available|accessible|obtainable|out there} as a stand-alone {dealer|seller|supplier|vendor} {item|merchandise} or included {in the|within the} Premium Package) that deploys over the rear seat {area|space} {kept|saved|stored} the {interior|inside} surprisingly placid at {up to|as much as} {80|eighty} mph.
Two {unique|distinctive} {items|gadgets|objects} {found|discovered} on the A4 Cabriolet relate to the {vehicle|automobile|car}'s trunk. {The first|The primary} {item|merchandise} is what Audi calls a "Variable Soft Top Compartment" that {is actually|is definitely} a sliding partition {that allows|that enables|that permits} {the top|the highest} to retract when {it is|it's} {placed|positioned} {in the|within the} "down" {position|place}. Buyers {interested in|all for|all in favour of|concerned about|concerned with|considering|curious about|desirous about|eager about|enthusiastic about|excited about|excited by|fascinated about|fascinated by|fascinated with|focused on|inquisitive about|interested by|involved in|keen on|occupied with|serious about|taken with|thinking about} {safety|security} {technology|expertise|know-how} will {find|discover} {plenty|a lot|loads|lots} {to like|to love} {about the|concerning the|in regards to the} A4 Cabriolet. Six crash sensors {located|positioned|situated} {through|by|by means of|by way of|via} the chassis are used {to determine|to find out} the severity of an {impact|affect|impression|influence} {before|earlier than} deploying any of the {four|4} {dual|twin}-stage airbags, {including|together with} seat-mounted head and thorax airbags for the driver and {front|entrance} passenger. Should the A4 ever go shiny {side|aspect|facet} down, a rollover {protection|safety} system will deploy from behind the rear seat headrests. This system, {along with|together with} a {reinforced|bolstered|strengthened} windshield {frame|body}, is designed {to protect|to guard} occupants in any of the {four|4} seats {during|throughout} a rollover. Antilock brakes (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and hydraulic BrakeAssist {round|spherical} out the convertible's {list|checklist|listing|record} of {standard|commonplace|customary|normal} {safety|security} {features|options}.
