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The day was barely warm enough for top-down driving, but after weeks of cold I couldn’t resist a little al fresco motoring and the invigoration of the 340-horsepower V-8 nestled under the hood of Audi’s S4.

The S4 is the sportiest version of the A4, and the combination of a tight suspension, blustery V-8 and all-wheel drive create a four-seat sports car that is seriously quick and a blast to drive.

Structural rigidity is often an issue with convertibles, but Audi’s ragtop is solid and tight. I felt no shakes through the steering wheel. The rear window of the three-layer top is heated for winter defrosting. When the top is down it fills a sizeable portion of the trunk.

The steeply sloping windshield does a great job of keeping the windblast out of the cabin, especially with the side windows up. A removable wind deflector screen snaps over the back seat to create a draft-free environment that is quite pleasant.

The S4 Cabriolet’s 4.2-liter V-8 and six-speed manual gearbox are a joy to use. Because the shift linkage is direct and the clutch action is light, it is possible to shift gears almost as smoothly as with an automatic.

The optional automatic transmission is a six-speed Tiptronic that can be shifted manually with the shift lever or buttons on the steering wheel.

Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system is a huge advantage in a performance car. It enhances traction in all conditions, not just rain or snow, and that gives the car a nice balance in nearly every situation.

Of course, when the roads are slippery, quattro’s added grip is most noticeable. For optimum four-season mobility, however, it might be wise to invest in a set of winter snow tires.

The S4’s sport suspension keeps the car taut and flat. The ride is fairly firm, but it was never unduly harsh or choppy, even over rough pavement. Audi’s ESP vehicle stability program helps keep the vehicle under control in emergencies. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are standard as well.

The S4’s cabin is warm and comfortable. The bright red leather Recaro seats of the test car caused a friend to remark that they looked like the inside of an expensive purse. Long bottom cushions give excellent under-thigh support. The rear seat is small, as one would expect in a car of this size.

The instruments have handsome faces and soft red night lighting. The thick-rimmed, leather steering wheel tilts and telescopes so it fits all types and sizes of driver. Front and side airbags are standard. In the event of a rollover, two hoops behind the rear seat deploy to serve as roll bars.

Subtle wood trim and polished aluminum highlight the instrument panel’s leather texture. The Bose stereo with in-dash six-CD changer was first-rate. A cup holder that slides out from the top of the instrument panel means that accidental spills could end up on the radio.

Price

The base price of the S4 Cabriolet is $55,700. Options on the test car included metallic paint, navigation system, Bose stereo with Sirius satellite radio, heated front seats and auto-dimming rearview mirrors inside and out. The sticker price was $63,445.

Warranty

Four years or 50,000 miles.