I have a 2003 A4 cabriolet on order for January pick-up. I grudgingly made the decision to purchase it after a long deliberation with myself about how unfair Audi has been with the American Market. If you want to get to the core of my frustration you only need look at the Audi (Germany) website to see the plethora of options available for the vehicle. In the US, they have about 20% of the options avaialble of what is offered in Europe. WHats the deal here???????

For example:

Why dont they offer the Audi Navigation II???..and dont tell mem its for safety reasons. Volvo is the zenith of safety vehicles and they have the screen in the center console.

Why dont they offer the rear parking radar?
Whay dont they offer your choice of steering wheels(3 spoke and 4 spoke)?

Why dont they offer the tiptronic controls on the cabriolet steering wheels like they do for the sedans(even in the US)???

Why dont they offer telematics(like other US models)?????

Some of you may have plausible explanations for some of these, but there is really no excuse for omitting alot of these excellent features.

The American Marketplace would LOVE to see many of these added as options.

Ill probably trade my 2003 in when Len Hunt finally realizes what a blunder he made omitting them from this country.

my 2 cents.

...Completely understandable

I have heard a few make mention of options not available for the Cabriolet...

But keep in mind... This is the first year... We never introduce everything at one time... Plus with what is coming ... These items will probably be intergrated to a certain degree ...

This is only the beginning ....

Thanks for the understanding.....

Like I said, I will get the 2003 model. Hopefully, the 2004 will have quattro and SEVERAL
more options to chose from.

Any word on beefing up the Horsepower for 2004 Or maybe an S4 cabrio?????

I am sure we will have more a higher performance version...

I would like to see the 4.2 in the Cab !

Volvo may have a reputation for safety, but the Audi A4 along with the C class merc are actually the two safest cars in the class, thats ahead of their volvo brethren.

Hey man - I agree with you. I'm guessing that there are economic factors at work that determine whether it is plausible to bring over all the options. However, you can get the three spoke wheel, unless you order the Premium package which gets you the four spoke wheels with the audio controls. I'm not sure if the three spoke wheels have the tiptronic controls but I think they removed them from the A6 as well.

I'm guessing that they are working on a DVD based SatNav system to replace the current CD based version...the new A8 has it so hopefully it will trickle down to the rest of the models.

In my opinion, the biggest oversight is the lack of a manual transmission and Quattro option. As it stands, I'm considering a 3 series cabrio with a manual....but I think I'll wait it out.

Also, I just read somewhere that the Quattro version coming to the U.S. next year will be in the 1.8t only. I hope that is NOT the case. I want an A4 Cab, 3.0 Quattro with a six speed manual.....ok, I'll shut up now. Later.

Are we getting an S4 Cab? In the U.S.? That would be way cool....Thanks.

Next spring the 1.8T will be available in Multitronic only .... Quattro will be added to the 3.0 ONLY in September 2003... 1.8T versions will show up not long after ...

However, Audi is still contemplating manuals for the U.S. ... I am sure it will happen !

.....and also there are no Tip buttons on the three spoke wheel...<ul><li><a href="http://www.magcars.com">http://www.magcars.com</a</li></ul>

Im not doubting that the Merc and Audi A4 are not safe,

But Audi gives some lame excuse that NAvigation II
is not installed in US cars because of safety reasons....the screen takes your eyes off the road.

This is VERY weak. Does that mean that Volvo, MB,BMW, etc...are all getting sued left and right because of safety reasons associated with the nav screen being in the center console?

They also must not care about the safety of the French, Germans, British, and all of Asia and the middle east because its offered everywhere else but US and Canada.

...another weak excuse for poor management .

Audi: at least tell us the truth!!!

Granted I agree with you .... But I believe it will be worth waiting for ... The system is the new A8 is just the beginning ...

yes there is, i have tiptronics om my 3 spoke wheel

Heard that supposedly one person here has seen a "test S4 cab," and also the Audi Nav II doesnt come to america b/c it doesnt pass the us specs. Its "too low" and causes too much distraction

This statement is wrong.

The BMW and Mercedes are both as low or lower in the middle console as Audi's Euro version.

I have a friend in France who verified this for me .

This is Audi's poor attempt for spin control on a
very obvious marketing blunder.