Superbly smooth with plenty of purposeful power. Turn the key and the V8 thrums in the background, although never obtrusively, letting you know its potential. Out on the road it nonchalantly absorbs all the bumps, the quattro four wheel drive providing supremely confident handling on New Zealands twisting roads, especially should conditions dampen. Brakes, steering, handling all contribute to the immensely solid feel of the car. And when you need it, you have all the power you need with the howling V8 for rapid overtaking or climbing any mountain, with a sports tiptronic gearbox and 'flappy paddle' change on the steering wheel.

Looks can be deceiving. This is understated luxury and discrete exclusivity that doesn't shout about it...until you put your foot down. Those in the know will know the S4 badge means you've got a very capable, highly desirable car, one of the best four seater performance convertibles produced.  The seats are soft, supple leather that you sit in rather than on. There's an optional wind deflector that can be fitted behind the front seats to virtually eliminate any buffeting. The power roof is fully automatic and very cossetting, with a button to operate all four windows simultaneously. You'll feel very pampered and satisfied with this Grand Tourer.

Quattro four wheel drive with wide tyres provide very safe handling, backed up by traction control, ABS, multiple airbags, with parking sensors front and rear for when you going a little more slowly. German engineering provides re-assuring reliability, and all our cars have to pass 6 monthly Certificate of Fitness tests to ensure they'll safe and proper for you.

Very good, being below average miles for the year. Whilst there are a few signs of minor cosmetic wear in places, this is a superbly presented rental.

This Audi has a seriously deep and large boot available, even with the roof down, plus if just two travelling you have the rear seats to store additional luggage on. Please refer to the Seating & Luggage tab above for exact dimensions.

2004 was a pretty good year for sounds - here are its best to accompany the audacious Audi:

• Flawless - George Michael
• Universal Traveller - Air
• She Saw The World - The Blue Nile

Now we acknowledge driving music is a very subjective thing, but clearly here, we’re right. So download, hire our Portable Bluetooth Speaker & enjoy!

For a super chilled big car it's surprisingly quick: 0 - 100km/h comes up in less than 6 secs....but that's as fast as you want to go.

He rates Audi's 4.2 litre naturally aspirated V8 as one of the three best engines.....in the worrrrllllld....and Richard Hammond quite liked it too...see below.