Back in 1994, Diana, Princess of Wales, set a very large cat among the royal pigeons by taking delivery of a Blue Audi 80 Cabriolet. The first time the Royal Family had owned a car supplied by the German brand, albeit a relationship that continues to this day.
It may not have been a Jaguar XJS, but the Audi was Diana’s favourite car and her regular transport, leading to a huge upsurge in sales for the soft-top model, which was actually due for replacement. Indeed, as a result of its sales resurgence, Audi kept the ragtop model in production for a further six years after the Audi A4 replaced the 80 saloon, changing the name from the 80 Cabriolet to simply ‘Audi Cabriolet’ in 1996 to distinguish it from the more modern saloon.
This one is one of the very last examples built - a 1999 Final Edition, with all of the toys. It’s finished in Pearlescent Ming Blue with Nappa leather upholstery and is a wonderfully preserved example.
Being a last-of-the-line Final Edition, Audi threw the entire contents of its toy box at the Cabriolet so it’s supremely well-equipped, with lovely, high-quality Nappa leather seats and colour-matched door cards and carpets, plus a three-spoke leather steering wheel. It’s in great order, with only tiny signs of wear to the driver’s seat and right-hand inner door panel.
All of the controls work as they should and the original stereo comes with that ultimate of late-Nineties accessories – a 6-CD autochanger.
This is one of the best colours for an Audi Cabriolet – Pearlescent Ming Blue, which works beautifully with the blue leather interior. It’s the original finish and is very good overall, with only one very small blemish on the driver’s door.
The electric folding roof operates at the push of a button and still operates exactly as it ought-to, with no strange noises form the electric motors.
The alloy wheels have a few minor scuffs but are generally good, with nearly new tyres all-round.
The Audi’s 2.8-litre V6 is renowned for its smoothness and this one is no exception – it starts well and settles to a smooth idle, delivering effortless and refined power.
It has been well-maintained throughout its life only by Audi main dealers, even as an older car, and runs really well, with no apparent problems.
A genuine four-seater with peerless build quality, the Audi Cabriolet is a classy and sophisticated car at the best of times, as well as a pretty one to look at and admire. But this one is something else – a very special Final Edition in the highest specification imaginable, with the best engine and in one of the very best colours. Throw in that full main dealer history and it has huge collector appeal.
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