Audi S4 Convertible: Comparison with the BMW M3 and the Mercedes CLK55

The Montreal Gazette made a comparison between the Audi S4 cabriolet, the BMW M3 and the Mercedes CLK55.

Second place: Audi S4 Cabriolet, $81,950

If this were a beauty contest, the Audi wins the tiara. Its good looks are backed up by a rock-solid body that's significantly stronger than the sedan to compensate for the chopped top. Nonetheless, like a well-tailored suit, the attractive Audi hides the fact it's the heaviest convertible here at 1,855 kilograms. Hello, Weight Watchers?

No fear. Audi has stuffed into the S4 not only the 340 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque from a 4.2-litre V8 found in larger A6s and A8s, but

also a slick-shifting, six-speed manual transmission (a $1,340 automatic is available).

Mid-range grunt from the naturally aspirated engine is abundant; think NASCAR and you have a pretty good idea what this engine sounds like when whooping through the gears. Then there's standard quattro for optimum traction in all seasons - unavailable on the BMW or Merc. The multi-link suspension front and rear is the Mamma Bear of this trio: firm, but not harsh. The S4's not as large in the back quarters as the CLK, but gangrene won't set in. And there's value here, too. Even with every option checked off, the Audi would still be $27,435 less than the Benz.

Driver's choice: Get the six-speed stick, right?

Bottom line: You'll look mah-vellous, darling.

GermanCarBlog, Audi S4

Source: Montreal Gazette via AudiWorld's Audi News Blog, picture by Audi of America

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