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Audi keeps kicking out winners, handsome cars with lovely interiors and slick road manners.

The hot tickets recently for Audi, Volkswagen’s luxury division, have been high-performance sedans, such as the all-aluminum S8 or 340-horsepower S6. But cars with beautiful looks and sophisticated manners are what mainly draws people to Audi.

Here’s another one: the 2003 A4 Cabriolet, a convertible version of Audi’s small sedan. This is a very attractive head turner, sort of a Kim Bassinger on wheels. Some observers compared it to the Audi TT sports car, though it’s pulled out into a sleek four-seater.

Cabrio’s athletic stance, smooth flanks and rounded haunches look distinctive yet reasonably conservative. This is a convertible for adults, at least those who crave sporty responsiveness along with their moonlight cruises.

Audi’s usual sharp agility is strongly evident. Highly responsive steering and a supple suspension that fends off road irregularities while providing superior cornering, both Audi hallmarks, make the Cabriolet as satisfying to drive as it is to be seen driving.

The new Cabriolet is no chop-top, such as the last batch of Audi convertibles during the mid-’90s that were too light on performance and too heavy on body shudder. The new car is unique, sharing only the basic underpinnings of the A4, and designed from the ground up as a convertible. It is about 350 pounds heavier than the sedan, mainly because of the extra bracing to make the Cabriolet feel as solid as a hardtop.

There is some cowl shake on rough surfaces, especially in turns, but it’s hardly noticeable. The weight penalty blunts some of the performance, but not by much.

With the same 220-horsepower aluminum V-6 found in the A6, acceleration is strong. Five valves per piston, double overhead cams with variable timing, and a two-stage intake manifold make this engine smooth and powerful, with lots of pull at low or high rpm.

Most interesting is the continuously variable transmission, which eliminates gear changes for seamless acceleration and overall response. I’ve driven several other cars with CVT and was unimpressed. This was my first exposure to Audi’s version, and the first that I would recommend.

The CVT is a chain-driven automatic that uses two convex pulleys that open or close as speed and power dictates, creating an infinite variety of gear ratios. Acceleration is a smooth rush with no shifting or engine roar, just the sensation of climbing speed and muscular power.

There’s a solid kick down for quick acceleration, just as if it’s shifting down a gear. There’s also a six-speed manual shifter, surprising because there aren’t really six gears, but six ratios chosen by the transmission.

The nicely finished interior, with tasteful wood and aluminum accents, seats four fairly comfortably, as long as they’re not too tall. The rear seat is not exactly roomy, but two small to midsize humans should have enough sp ace. Access to the rear is another story, with some contortions required.

The dashboard continues the stylish design that makes Audi the ideal that other manufacturers try to emulate.

The top is thickly padded and three layers thick, so that when up, the cabin is as quiet as any coupe’s. The top descends with a single button, stowing under a hard cover that opens and closes automatically. Top down, the profile is sleek, with a straight line rising from nose to tail.

The tradeoff for the handsome profile and disappearing top is minimal trunk space whenever the top is stowed.

The price tag for the Cabriolet is a hefty $41,500 or nearly $47,000 as tested. That’s nosebleed territory for most buyers and puts Audi up against some exclusive craft.

The test car included a $1,500 package of desirable electronic features; $1,000 for leather seats (not recommended after 10 minutes, top down, in the Arizona summer sun); $650 for a stereo upgrade; $500 for good-looking, 17-inch alloy wheels; $450 for heated seats; $450 for trick paint; and $660 shipping.

For those who can afford it, the A4 Cabriolet should be both distinctive and satisfying, with an equal measure of beauty and brawn.

Audi A4 Cabriolet

Vehicle type: Four-passenger, two-door convertible, front-wheel drive.

Base price: $41,500.

Price as tested: $46,685.

Engine: 3-liter V-6, 220 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, 221 pounds-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm.

Transmission: Continuously variable automatic.

Wheelbase: 104.5 inches.

Curb weight: 3,814 pounds.

EPA mileage: 20 city, 27 highway.

Highs:

Lovely styling.

Strong engine power.

High-tech transmission.

Lows:

Exclusive price tag.

Trunk limitations.

Difficult rear-seat access.