Speeding Through Spain Audi A4 Cabriolet Enhances Barcelona Travel Experience by Karl Ferguson BARCELONAóThe doorman at the Hotel Ritz seemed a little perplexed as I powered down the roof of my Audi A4 Cabriolet. It was a truly gorgeous morning: The sun was shining, there was just a hint of a breeze, and the wide streets of Barcelona beckoned invitingly. After spending two very comfortable nights in the luxurious, five-star Ritz, a charming, turn-of-the-century hotel in the heart of Barcelona, it was time to leave this charming city behind to explore the Spanish coast and countryside. Being within walking distance of Ramblas, the historic gothic section of the city, we hardly needed a car, but what could be better for two dedicated sun worshippers than driving in a convertible on a day like this? Yet, in heavily accented English, the doorman patiently explained that it was not safe to leave any valuables on the backseat of a convertible. Stopping for a traffic light meant a good chance of someone grabbing an item and running off with it. Pointing to the small trunk of the Audi A4 Cabriolet and our veritable mountain of luggage, he shrugged his shoulders in defeat as if to say, ìIt will never all fit.î It is a testament to the thoroughness of Audiís engineers, and the patience of the Ritzís dedicated staff, that after some rearranging we managed to fit two fairly large suitcases and two decent-size carry bags into the A4ís deceptively shaped trunk. The wind deflector was the only casualty, fitting snugly behind the driverís seat. As we headed out of the city, I wondered whether the crime rate could explain the death of convertibles in Barcelona? It certainly seemed unlikely. About 10 minutes later, another theory emerged: exhaust. As beautiful as Barcelona is, like any big city, it suffers from traffic congestion, and sitting next to a large truck while it belches out thick diesel exhaust over your exposed head is far from fun. But to focus too much on the negatives is to overlook the most enticing aspect of any ìtoplessî motoring experience, which is simply how much fun it can be driving without a roof, an experience the Audi A4 Cabriolet specializes in. The first destination on our convertible travel experience was Montserrat, a tiny village about 30 miles from Barcelona best known for its monastery. Driving in the fast lane cruising at 75 mph, the road ahead clear, the wind blowing in our hair, and the beat of the Red Hot Chili Peppers pumping in the background, I was convinced that life could not get any better. That was before the Volkswagen Passat suddenly loomed larger than life in my rear view mirror, its lights flashing wildly, desperate to pass. It took me a second to gather my thoughts and move over. Was it an unmarked police car racing to an emergency? Apparently not. As car after car sped past at 100 mph, it became clear that Spaniards like to speed. But do not pity the drivers in a new Audi convertible consigned to the slow laneóthe Cabriolet is an exceptional car. Not content to let its A4 sedan take all the glory, Audi added the Cabriolet to its range of cars in late 2002. The Cabriolet comes in two models, a 1.8-liter, turbo version and a 3.0-liter, 220-horsepower, V6 engine equipped with Audiís trick continuously variable transmission (CVT). Audi says the new Cabriolet is 112 percent stiffer than its predecessor, which translates into a better handling, more responsive automobile. Audi employs the use of high-strength steel and a reinforced A-pillar to give rigidity to the attractive-looking and practical chop top. The bad news is all of that strengtheningówhich ensures that the car is immensely safeóadds a lot of weight to the caróand that means less speed. Even so, with a 220-horsepower engine on tap, the V6 still manages to be competitive, although Audiís claim of zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds might be a tad optimistic. Audiís A4 Cabriolet gets top marks for its steering, which has an excellent feel, and the 58:42 front-to-rear weight distribution makes for a well-balanced car. The overall package is compromised somewhat by the suspension, however, which can get caught on bumpy roads. This is no problem on flat highways and byways, but less well-paved roads produce plenty of bumps from the carís pogo-like suspension. The other negative is that going without a roof means a lot of the shakes and bumps get transferred through to the cabin. Even so, the Cabrioletís cabin is very comfortable. Standard equipment is generous and includes alloy wheels, a fully automatic retractable roof, leather upholstery, in-dash, six-disc CD changer and an alarm, to name a few highlights. On the safety side, anti-lock brakes, brake assist, multiple airbags and an active rollover protection system are all standard. The sticker price is a competitive $41,500. The test car also came equipped with the premium package (xenon headlights, wind deflector and multifunction stereo), which comes at an extra $1,475. Premium leather seats bump the cost up by $1,000, premium sound by $650, heated front seats (a must for winter topless driving) by $450, and a few other goodies brought the total to $47,000. Creature comforts aside, the Cabriolet is a true four-seater. Although access to the rear can be a little tricky, once there, passengers will enjoy ample legroom and headroomóeven more so when the roof is retracted. Heading down the mountain from Montserrat, we inadvertently joined a small convertible convoy, bringing up the rear behind a BMW 330Ci and a Mercedes SLK. The Audi A4 Cabriolet was right at home in this exclusive gathering, having no trouble keeping up with the other cars as we sped downhill, narrowly avoiding slower-moving tourist buses. In addition, the Cabrioletís multitronic transmission, or clutchless manual, proved to be a real boon. Cleverly, Audi has fitted two buttons on the steering wheel that allow the driver to change gears at the touch of a buttonóvery handy on twisty roads where engine braking is so important. Gear changes can still be done through the transmission lever, but the push buttons offer a welcome alternative. Gun the motor and the V6 engine provides plenty of response, both from under the hood and in the aural department. Drivers unfamiliar with the CVT/multitronic transmission might find it takes some adjusting to. Without getting into too much detail, the multitronic system uses a link-plate chain for limitless ratios and constant power. This in turn eliminates the need for a hydraulic torque converter, so acceleration slippage is avoided. In other words, when you put your foot down on the gas, the acceleration is constant and there is no pause or surge as you change gears. It is a bit odd at first, but the system works well and acceleration is definitely improved as a result. However, there is no need to push the envelope to enjoy the Cabriolet-convertible driving experience. As we meandered up the coast toward the Costa Brava, avoiding the highways in favor of a more intimate Spanish experience, we could truly appreciate the attributes of this car. Spain boasts a truly breathtaking coastline, which was made all the more special by having the top down. Arriving at our destination, the lavish Hostal de la Gavina, with the sun about to set, I was almost reluctant to part with the Audi even overnight. A quick introduction to the hotel, however, changed my mind. In true Spanish hacienda style, the Hostal is a commanding presence nestled atop the highest point on a private peninsula near the seaside town of SíAgaro. The lure of the hotelís seawater pool, picturesque grounds and private Mediterranean beach were eventually enough to entice me away from my Audi. We could have stayed at the Hostal de la Gavina indefinitely, but alas we were expected in Geneva, so one night had to sufficeóbarely enough time to sample even a tenth of what the hotel had to offer. Even so, as we breakfasted on our private terrace the next morning, I was comforted to see the Audi waiting patiently in the lot for our return. After all, there is only so much tennis, swimming and sunbathing one can do before the call of the highway, and in this case, a very desirable convertible, gets the better of you. The Leading Hotels of the World provided accommodations in Spain. For more information, please visit www.lhw.com or for reservations from the United States and Canada, please call (800) 745-8883. Karl Ferguson is the car reviewer for The Washington Diplomat and a press counselor at the New Zealand Embassy.