I drive a SAAB 95 4 Cylinder which is great on acceleration and am afraid the power of the 1.8 sucks

Have you driven a 1.8T Cabrio then?

Ari.

No, There are not 1.8 Convertibles here for another month. I have one on order but I can get out of it!

Edmunds and a few other reviewers report that
the 3.0 is a bit underfpowered. I dread to see what the 1.8T is like!!!!

In y opinion this car needs be at least 260HP.

When/if the S4 cab comes out. Ill be all over it!

I have a 1.8T on order also, due March.

I drove a 2.4 before ordering mine, and it was OK, but not really sporty.

The 1.8T has almost as much power and torque as the 2.4, but peak torque is much lower (1.950 vs 3,400 I think) and the 1.8T has slightly improved performance (both top speed and acceleration) compared to the 2.4.

It depends what you want the car for. I started off feeling the 2.4 was a bit under powered, but after cruising around with the top down for a couple of hours I started to forget about performance and enjoy cruising, and it was fine for that. My feeling is that the 1.8T will be a bit "punchier", if not a lot quicker, and of course not as smooth. Not driven a 3.0 but ridden in one. Didn't feel that quick either, until you looked at the speed! A deceptively smooth and quick car.

I think the 1.8T will be fine for me. If you are worried I'd suggest you try a 2.4. If you feel that is OK the 1.8T isn't going to be any worse. If the 2.4 feels much too slow for you then maybe the 1.8T will disappoint.

Bear in mind that the 1.8T has a max speed of 140mph so it is hardly a "slow" car generally, although it is heavy which will affect acceleration.

keep in mind this car is designed to be a crusing car, the 1.8t won't be a street racer but should have enough power to get you around comfortably. when you mosh on the gas past the kickdown on the cvt you'll see it take off and run hard almost into redline and stay there. you then look down and see your doing about 50mph and its a bit of a shock.

I have driven the 3.0 Convertible...seemed ok. I am trying to decide between the 1.8T Convertible and the Infinity G35 Coupe

i have the 3.0 cab and it will beat most cars at a stand still from the lights!
Obviously there are faster cars out there - but none as sexy as the A4 Cab

... it too beats many comperably powered cars from a stop. The CVT is mostly responsible though.

The 3.0's low end torque is slightly lacking, and the car's lumbering 2800 lb curb weight doesn't help either; but it's still a respectable engine. BMW, Acura, Infinity, and even Honda, now make better 3.x engines though. All in all, I wouldn't go lower than a 3.0.

I shudder to think how sluggish the 170hp 1.8T would feel, especially if you add the weight of Quattro.