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Manufacturer Brochure - 1998 Audi Cabriolet
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| THE 1998 AUDI CABRIOLET |
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| Updated |
Jun 3, 2004 17:14:37 |
| Rating |
 94 ( 6 +6.38% ) |
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Description:
The Audi Cabriolet has been one of the most elegant and well-appointed luxury convertibles on the market since its introduction. For 1998, this classic convertible has been updated to maintain its appeal for customers who seek that open-air experience but don't want to sacrifice four seats to achieve it.
The Cabriolet is available in two trim levels value-priced base model and an easy-to-accessorize premium version. The base price on the 1998 Cabriolet remains at its 1997 level of $34,600 despite several product improvements. Leather seating, a power top, wood trim and remote locking are optional as part of a Premium Equipment Package. The 1998 Cabriolet will be a 46 state model (no longer available in New York, Massachusetts, California or Connecticut).
With a few equipment revisions, Audi offers what its other luxury competitors cannot--the smooth driving refinement of a six-cylinder engine coupled with an automatic--at the price range of its segment's entry-level four-cylinder models.
The Cabriolet's front-wheel drive provides sure-footed response and traction for year-round use. Its fully lined top fits snugly, providing a remarkably quiet interior. A standard equipment ski sack will even accommodate skis or other long loads within the vehicle, without soiling the interior.
A Cabriolet's reason for being, however, has to be top-down motoring. In the Audi, the transformation from closed-to-open (or back again) is a matter of 30 seconds. Whether using the one-latch, one-button convenience of the power operated top, or the simplicity of manual operation, the Cabriolet can be "converted" in time for some stoplights to turn from red to green. When folded, the top is cleanly stowed beneath a hard tonneau cover.
Both Cabriolets are powered by Audi's smooth 172 horsepower 2.8 liter V6, mated to a standard equipment four-speed automatic transmission. Versus its four cylinder competition, the Cabriolet offers a noticeable margin of power and refinement. The automatic transmission incorporates adaptive learning capability, including some 200 possible shift programs. With the ability to tailor shift characteristics to the driver's style, even to recognize hills and account for temperature, this transmission truly deserves to be called an automatic.
Safety on the Cabriolet includes new next generation driver and front passenger airbag supplemental restraints (from November 1997 production), ABS, pyrotechnic front safety belt tensioners, and side impact protection which met the U.S. Government's 1997 standards years ahead of time. For security, there is an anti-theft alarm system; also included are front and rear fog lights.
Equipment levels in the Audi Cabriolet leave little to wish for: standard air conditioning and a full range of power accessories are standard in the base Cabriolet. Changes for 1998 include a new ignition key with interior profile, a new design three-spoke sports steering wheel, and a four-position adjustable intermittent windshield wiper interval switch. The seats and door inserts are upholstered in a combination of leather, "Kubus" cloth and leatherette. The Audi Delta radio produces better sound quality with improved speakers and a new subwoofer module in the rear compartment. Pre-wiring for Audi's 6-disc CD changer and remote locking is also provided. When the remote locking option is selected, the 1998 Cabriolet even comes with a new radio frequency remote that incorporates locking and panic function as well as a folding ignition key.
Highlights of the exterior are 10-spoke alloy wheels, plus two new colors for 1998--Santorin Blue (which replaces Europa Blue) and Hibiscus Red Mica. To personalize their Cabriolet, buyers can choose from one of six top colors (black, red, blue, green and gray), and four optional "Cool Shades" exterior colors--Tropic Green, Aqua Green, Pelican Blue and Brilliant Yellow--to round out a palette that permits an unprecedented degree of self-expression. Audi's optional Kodiak leather is available in six colors as well--Anthracite, Cognac, Ecru, Platinum, Wine Red, and, new for '98. Sapphire.
"Competition" design 16" alloy wheels, fitted with 205/55-16 all-season tires, are optional in combination with the Premium Package as are front sport seats. They offer the added bolstering preferred by many, and also feature integrated safety belts. This belt system will be found to be more convenient, more easily reached and more comfortable by many owners. The provision of electric height adjustment allows occupants to power into position. The crowning element, however, is the reinforcement of the seat backs, seat tracks and the upper seat structure to provide additional rollover protection in certain kinds of accidents.
Either Cabriolet may be equipped with the optional Cold Weather Package. It features heated front seats, heated windshield washer jets and door locks (on cars without factory fitted remote locking). This adds to the all season enjoyment. Forget winter; imagine a cool fall evening, the top down and the seat heaters turned up. Open-air motoring is all the more unruffled with the optional WindScreen to reduce turbulence and buffeting.
The 1998 Cabriolet is covered by the Audi Advantage. This top-rated combination of warranties and protection includes:
Three-year/50,000 mile no charge scheduled maintenance.
Three-year/50,000 mile limited new vehicle warranty.
Ten-year limited warranty against corrosion perforation.
24-hour Roadside Assistance for three years (services provided by the Professional Dispatch Group). |
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