Not as good as it gets.
The name A4 first appeared on the rear of Audi's then entry level car in 1996. Prior to the A4, Audi offered its clientele the 4000 until 1987. The following year, the midsized entry-level luxury car received a new face along with a new name. It was called the 80 or 90 depending on trim level, just as it was known in Europe. In the course of the years leading up to 1996, only the 90 remained until the model was abandoned altogether.
The new A4 paved the way of sorts for the return of Audi in North America. For a number of years leading up to the A4, Audi had earned the undesired reputation of a builder of nice un-reliable cars. The new 1996 car had distinctively German look and thanks to the performance afforded by the all-new 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder and the 2.8L V6, the A4 did very well. Faithful to the German way, the A4 went on largely unchanged until 2002 when a ground-up revision of the car was done. With the new face came a new 3.0L engine that joined the 1.8T. Unlike the Germans, the car underwent another big change only 4 years late
r to usher in 2 new engines.
The A4 starts at $35,270. The A4 3.2 Quattro with the Tiptronic transmission can be optioned out to nearly $65,000. My tester consisted in an A4 3.2 Quattro 6-speed manual with the Technology, Sunroof and Premium packages for a grand total of $53,260.
Styling
As much as I appreciated the look of the original A4, the 2002-2005 did nothing to excite my senses. For 2006 though, Audi turned up the juice. I am a huge fan of the corporate grille affair and particularly like the way it brings the profiled headlights and bumper together. I also appreciate the smooth design of the rear-end; it looks as though it came out of a mould.
I have always admired the austere yet inviting cabins of Audi's products. They have always been about "business". The design of the dashboard is serious. The gauges are large, ornate and fairly easy to consult. The location of th
e clock, at the bottom of the tachometer, does pose some irritation to the passenger as he or she cannot read it. The only change from 2005 is a new steering wheel roller-type audio control. Speaking of the sound system, its buttons are small and require a firm push to function. The HVAC (heating, ventillation, air conditionning) commands are the same. Fit and finish is very good as are the materials.
The seats are nearly perfect; they cuddle and support the occupant with serious savoir-faire. The rear bench is also comfy although it is firmer than the front buckets. Legroom and headroom are fair, better than the 3-Series BMW, but not as generous as just about every other midsize sedan (i.e.: Toyota Camry, Nissan Maxima and Honda Accord).
Technical
The standard powerplant for the A4 is the FSI direct injection, 200 hp 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder. It develops this power at 5,100 rpm and also churns out 207 lb/ft of torque at 1,800 rpm. The new 3.2L V6 replaces the
old 3.0L V6 and manages 255 hp at 6,500 rpm and 243 lb/ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. Transmission selection is between a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic. The 2.0L can be delivered with FronTrak (front-wheel drive) or with the all-mighty Quattro AWD (all-wheel drive) system. Power steering is vehicle speed sensitive. The suspension is fully independent and braking is managed by four discs.
 |
The new A4 paved the way of sorts for the return of Audi in North America. For a number of years leading up to the A4, Audi had earned the undesired reputation of a builder of nice un-reliable cars. The new 1996 car had distinctively German look and thanks to the performance afforded by the all-new 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder and the 2.8L V6, the A4 did very well. Faithful to the German way, the A4 went on largely unchanged until 2002 when a ground-up revision of the car was done. With the new face came a new 3.0L engine that joined the 1.8T. Unlike the Germans, the car underwent another big change only 4 years late
r to usher in 2 new engines.The A4 starts at $35,270. The A4 3.2 Quattro with the Tiptronic transmission can be optioned out to nearly $65,000. My tester consisted in an A4 3.2 Quattro 6-speed manual with the Technology, Sunroof and Premium packages for a grand total of $53,260.
Styling
As much as I appreciated the look of the original A4, the 2002-2005 did nothing to excite my senses. For 2006 though, Audi turned up the juice. I am a huge fan of the corporate grille affair and particularly like the way it brings the profiled headlights and bumper together. I also appreciate the smooth design of the rear-end; it looks as though it came out of a mould.
I have always admired the austere yet inviting cabins of Audi's products. They have always been about "business". The design of the dashboard is serious. The gauges are large, ornate and fairly easy to consult. The location of th
e clock, at the bottom of the tachometer, does pose some irritation to the passenger as he or she cannot read it. The only change from 2005 is a new steering wheel roller-type audio control. Speaking of the sound system, its buttons are small and require a firm push to function. The HVAC (heating, ventillation, air conditionning) commands are the same. Fit and finish is very good as are the materials.The seats are nearly perfect; they cuddle and support the occupant with serious savoir-faire. The rear bench is also comfy although it is firmer than the front buckets. Legroom and headroom are fair, better than the 3-Series BMW, but not as generous as just about every other midsize sedan (i.e.: Toyota Camry, Nissan Maxima and Honda Accord).
Technical
The standard powerplant for the A4 is the FSI direct injection, 200 hp 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder. It develops this power at 5,100 rpm and also churns out 207 lb/ft of torque at 1,800 rpm. The new 3.2L V6 replaces the
 |