VW displays Avant wagon model of new Audi A4

Around about thesame time that it launches the sedan version of the new and slightly larger A4this March or April, VW's upscale Audi division will also release a stationwagon model.

The pictures ofthat model -- called Avant -- show it to be a more attraction creation on VW'sGolf platform than the sedan, though it shares a great deal of the sedan's stylepoints (the big new grille being the most obvious) and mechanical bits.

Every exteriorpart except the roof has been replaced for the 2006 model, and so has much ofthe running gear. Along with new engines and transmissions, there have alsobeen major changes to the A4's suspension, steering and brakes, as well asinterior upgrades.

Prices haven'tbeen announced for Canadayet, but in other parts of the world Audi is bragging about offering the newmodels for about the same prices as the old model. In Canada, thecurrent model retails for $35,735 to $46,940, with the sporty S4 Avant going to$69,400.

Bernice Holmanof VW America declined to give specifics about which engines will be coming to Canada or any equipment levels, so we'll likely haveto wait for that until the Montrealauto show in January.

However VW'soffice in Detroit decides to equip the A4 for Canada,all of the units of the Avant are supposed to benefit from improved side impactprotection achieved by the strengthening of the shell forward of the pillarbetween the doors.

Whatever engineswe eventually get in Canada,they'll come with a new lineup of transmissions. There will be five- andsix-speed manuals, a six-speed Tiptronic automatic for the all-wheel-driveQuattro versions, and a continuously-variable "multitronic'' automatic(for the front-drive models) with seven speeds in its manual mode.

VW says that dynamicchassis features for the A4 included a revised four-link front suspension witha new guide link mounting at the lower link level and link mounts and trackrods adopted from the S4 quattro at the upper link level.

Shock absorbersettings have also been changed to ''give a more sporting feel withoutsacrificing ride comfort.'' At the rear a new asymmetric mounting has beendeveloped for the trapezoidal link, and larger shocks based on the units in theA6 have been incorporated and tuned accordingly.

The latestServotronic speed-dependent power steering from S4 quattro models is madestandard on some of the more powerful engines, though again specifics areunavailable at this time.

The ongoinghydraulic rack-and-pinion steering system has been modified to suit the newsuspension set-up, and now features a modified steering valve characteristicand stiffer track rods from the S4 quattro.

A4 will also getthe brake system from the A6 and A8 adopted for its use, with enhancedfloating-frame Teves 16-inch discs (320mm) at the front and a TRW floating calipersystem at the rear (288mm discs) based on the set-up in the S4 quattro.

The most recent stabilitycontrol program from Bosch has been added to the A4, and features majorrevisions to the understeer control function, plus Hydraulic FadingCompensation for the brake system integrated with hydraulic brake assist and anew brake disc cleaning module. This system is said to apply ''gentle,imperceptible application of brake pad pressure at regular intervals to keepthe discs largely dry in wet weather.''