Ireland's premium car buyers are a loyal bunch; last year they continued to buy the Audi A4 Cabrio above all others in the sector, despite the fact that a refreshed model was just around the corner.
Although the new model, which arrives here at the end of January, has a modified front end and benefits from new lights, the changes are minimal and simply give the car an updated Audi face complete with its single-frame grille. The important differences, however, are hidden from view.
This new Cabrio will be available initially with four engines, three of which will power this A4 soft-top for the first time. Despite this wealth of power plants, their impact on Irish sales will be minimal as they all sit unhappily in the top VRT band. Again it will be the VW family's versatile 1.8-litre turbo and intercooled petrol that will make up the main bulk of the four-seat Cabrio's sales on our shores.
This uprated unit is no slouch and when one urges on the 163 horses, it will power this 1.5-tonne vehicle with some urgency, taking it to 100km/h in a shade under 9.5 seconds and onto 220km/h.
Realising that most of Europe is not blessed with all-year sunshine, Audi has improved the soft-top mechanism so it closes (and opens) in just 21 seconds at speeds under 30km/h. Great for Irish showers.
Disappointingly, this new quiet hood is an option only. As is Quattro four-wheel drive, which Audi provides on only the higher output engines meaning this celebrated system is not even an option for most Irish buyers.
Although prices have yet to be fixed, expect a noticeable premium over the €51,500 the current model costs. But with Audi sales continuing to rise at record levels, such a premium is unlikely to deter those desiring such an aesthetically pleasing cabriolet.