Audi A4 Reviews

Station wagons are for wet labradors, muddy mountain bikes, prams and potted plants.If you don't own any of these, you have no reason to drive a station wagon and should at all costs bypass these at the showroom.Or so I thought. Yes, I have memories of holidays as a child in a station wagon.But they were days when the car was a cubby house — place to be filled with movement and toys and open windows and no seatbelts.We never whinged "Are we there yet?" because there was so much to do in the expanse of the station wagon.Our children know of no such joys. Today the ankle-biters are locked into position and would go completely troppo — and take their parents with them — save for the blessings of rear DVD players and iPods.Audi looks after its rear occupants with the option of such attention-grabbing aids but the kids aren't reading this so I'm going to list what's in it for you.PackageThe Audi A4 as already been lauded as a beaut sedan. This Avant (read, wagon) just adds flexibility though can also become quite unwagon-like thanks to a stylish upgrade.The S-Line package adds exterior features that are subtle enough to escape the garishness of some manufacturers' examples, yet strong enough to enhance an already neat wagon.Colour is important. The white A4 Avant is stunning in its simplicity and gets a lift with polished 18-inch alloy five-spoke wheels.S-Line packages also trim 20mm from the standard A4's height and sits the car on sports suspension. And here is one of the car's few hiccups.The ride is a tad too firm for a vehicle ostensibly meant for leisure-seeking families rather than race-bred couples.That's not helped by the leather upholstery stretched over hard foam. Great for distance driving but it takes a bit to get used to in the suburbs.Yet, if you revert to the standard 16-inch wheels to retrieve Japanese levels of comfort, the wagon ends up looking like Mum's taxi.DrivetrainInto the mix we add Audi's perennial 2-litre turbo-diesel and a CVT automatic transmission.This transmission also has seven preset ratios so, thanks to one of the items in the S-Line pack, you can drive it like a clutchless manual.The engine is a real trouper that pulls hard and clean from virtually any revs, has a real kick when asked to overtake slower traffic and delivers fuel economy that'll make your wallet obsolete. Well, not quite.It's a package that, because the world turns faster than we can anticipate, was even more attractive about six months ago.Subsequently, the world oil price has halved and this made a dramatic 30c a litre drop — any discrepancy here? — in the bowser price of petrol. Unfortunately, the impact on diesel prices was even less miniscular.That makes buying a diesel — especially where the engine price is a premium — suit only the bearded eco-aware folk in the mountains and motorists who annually travel long distances.You must today weigh up if a diesel makes economical sense to you. Otherwise, the Audi A4 Avant petrol ($59,641 in equivalent S-Line format) may make more sense.SafetyThe A4 Avant scores very highly on safety but the most impressive feature of the car is its quality. Few, if any, manufacturers consistently make such near-perfect machines that are so visually impressive.DrivingThis wagon is dead simple to drive — though I was baulked by the fingernail-breaking push-pull design of the starter — and is compact enough to slip quickly into a crowded parking bay.It seats four adults with cargo impressively increased thanks to the near-flat folding rear seats. The spare wheel is a space saver and there's no excuse.As fitted out for this test, the Avant is a wagon that rises out of the family-car image to be stylish and versatile.And if you really, really must, it will take muddied dogs, bikes and pot plants. And prams. SnapshotPrice: $57,837 (S-Line as tested $66,205)Engine: 2-litre, 4-cyl, turbocharger, intercoolerPower: 105kW @ 4200rpmTorque: 320Nm @ 1750-2500rpmTransmission: CVT with 7-preset ratios, sequential; front-drive0-100km/h: 9.7 secondsEconomy (official): 6.0 litres/100kmEconomy (tested): 6.8 litres/100kmGreenhouse: 159g/km (Corolla: 175g/km) 

The Avant variant (that'd be wagon to us Strayans) of the well-received A4 sedan range arrived last week and were launched last week with a testing drive out of Albury to Bright in the Victorian high country and back.As with most Euro prestige wagons, a genre becoming ever more evident on our roads, it's not as though the Avants are a great deal more practical than the sedan, which boasts quite a big booty. Rather it's a question of which flicks your switch aesthetically.Still, the five door does have a highly useable 490 litres with the back seats up and 1430 when they’re folded flat. Up front there's a choice of the Volkswagen Group's direct injection turbo charged four cylinder engines. These are the stalwart 2.0-litre TDI common rail diesel and _ one of our favourite small petrol jobbies _ the 1.8 TFSI.Both versions are driven through the front wheels via Audi's Multitronic continuously variable transmission with eight manual settings. Down the line, perhaps the second quarter of 2009, comes the enticing prospect of a quattro all-wheel-drive variant with a 155kW/350Nm version of the 2.0-litre turbo four, a drivetrain that will also go to the four door.Like the current four door, the Avant has a decent levels of standard equipment and the usual mile long list of costly extras. The pretty much standard 1.8 version we drove to Bright featured Milano leather upholstery, Servotronic steering, eight airbags, daytime running lights and $1600(!) metallic paint. The S-line packaged version in which we returned also copped grippy great 18-inch low profile rubber, paddle shifters, perforated leather and the optimum version of Drive Select (through which steering, gearshift and damping responses are altered to mood or circumstance).Even without the full length sun roof ($2850), this variant returned little change from $70K. Steep, even when placed next to the Audi's direct rivals, BMW's 320i Touring and the Mercedes-Benz 200K Estate. And not a little silly if you're not so hopelessly badge besotted that you can't see the merits of Skoda's Octavia (with the same engines) and the Mazda6.Both are equally good if not better drives, both are bigger and both are $25,000 to $35,000 cheaper. We could also point to Holden's new Commdore sportwagon, but badge blindness goes only so far.As opposed to the previous generation A4, the new Audi is an attractive proposition as much for its on road behaviour as its chic lines. We'll get to the diesel in coming weeks (it's anticipated take up rate is less than 20 per cent), but on the word of trusted colleagues it reflects the equivalent sedan's disposition.That's to say that the extra weight, especially over the front axle, drags it back against its more adroit petrol sibling. Audi's persistence with longitudinal engines means that the bigger the donk the more negated the advantages of its much-vaunted new platform.Nor can a decisive economy advantage be claimed for the oiler. When pushing on, it needs to be spurred. In city traffic its consumption approaches that of the petrol car.In fact, the 1.8 TFSI combines the best characteristics of petrol and diesel, with the flexibility of the former (at 8.9 seconds it's almost one tick quicker to 100km/h from standing) and the low down response of the latter. And all of its 250Nm is available from 1500rpm _ almost the instant the throttle is floored.It's a light weight contender that punches above its weight to imbue the Avant with a dynamic behaviour that's about as rewarding as you're going to get in a front-wheel-drive. While never enamoured of CVT, there are few grounds to complain of the way in which it transmits power to the road.As ever with Audi, the inside story is one of tactile delight. The interior of even a basic spec variant is pervaded by an air of comfort, convenience and sheer quality that exceeds the Merc and leaves the Bimmer for dead.When you're sitting this prettily, you don't mind so much which wheels are doing the driving. AUDI A4 AVANTprice: $56,400 (TFSI); $57,800 (TDI)engines: 1.8L/4-cylinder turbo petrol (118kW/250Nm); 2L/4-cylinder turbo diesel (105kW/320Nm)economy: 7.4L/100km (TFSI); 6L/100km (TDI)transmission: continuously variable auto 

Audi’s latest version of its mid-size entry is safer, lighter and sportier than its predecessor; and with four new refined engines, including two diesels, its greener too. We tested the two litre diesel but also in the new range is the 1.8 litre TFSI, the 2.7 litre TDI and the flagship 3.2 litre FSI quattro.ExteriorAudi have made a big effort to make the new A4 appear more athletic, with taut, dynamic outlines and short front body overhangs. The longer bonnet and wheelbase help to give it more of a presence on the road. A strongly tapered rear, 16 inch alloy wheels and bold wheel arches emphasise the vehicles muscular, sporty appearance. Seventeen and eighteen inch wheels can be fitted. The 18’s come standard on the quattro. Wrap around xenon headlights contain 14 white light-emitting diodes for daytime driving. Exterior mirrors are electronically adjustable and house LED indicators. Remote central locking, a security engine immobiliser and front and rear parking sensors are standard across the range. A rear view camera is optional. The A4 is available in 15 body colours, more than any of its competitors.InteriorThanks to the longer wheelbase of the new A4, leg, shoulder, head and knee room have all increased and Audi have managed to incorporate more storage space throughout the cabin. The dash is simple and intuitive and shows careful attention to detail by way of good quality materials and workmanship. A large metallic dial on the centre console, together with the clear electronic display operates many of the vehicles features with minimal driver effort. The instrument cluster is easy to read and switches on the dash have a precision feel. There is an optional extra interior lighting package to add more sparkle to the cabin. The concert sound system is mp3 compatible and pumps out of 10 speakers including a subwoofer. For an extra $1500, a Bang and Olufsen system is available. Three-zone electronic climate control with sunlight dependent control, regulates the air temperature, flow rate and distribution. New ‘Climate Comfort’ perforated leather seats are adjusted electronically and have a position memory. The boot holds 480 litres which is more than any competitor and together with the flat floor and flat side panels, is extremely practical. With both the back seats folded down, capacity increases to 962 litres. The new A4 carries a space saver spare tyre.Drivetrains Our front wheel drive test car was powered by a two litre, 105kW/320Nm four-cylinder DOHC TDI engine with a VTG turbocharger. The bigger diesel version carries a V6 that steps power up to 140kW/400Nm. The smaller petrol engine in the range runs on a 1.8 litre, 118kW/250Nm, four cylinder TFSI engine, whilst the bigger quattro tiptronic V6 gives you 195kW and 330Nm. The 2.0 litre diesel shoots form 0-100 in 9.4 seconds and uses 5.8 litres in 100kms.Ride and handlingThe use of high grade steel in the body shell has saved on weight and contributed to the level of rigidity necessary for precise and accurate handling, and a comfortable ride. It has also suppressed the potential for body vibration. Five-link front and independent-wheel, trapezoidal link rear suspension with brake assist have made this version of the A4 dynamically superior to Audi’s previous offering. SafetyAudi’s latest A4 has received the top five star ANCAP crash rating and comes with a comprehensive airbag package, ESP, ABS, ASR, EDL and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. PricingA worthy rival to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series, the 2008 Audi A4 starts at $50,900 for the 1.8 manual petrol, up to $88,500 for the tiptronic 3.2 litre petrol quattro.DRIVING Halligan saysThe A4 2.0 TDi is a practical car; it will find favour with a growing audience that wants to be seen as making sensible decisions that go some ways to helping the environment. Audi are doing a fantastic job at making a diesel an option to the everyman, even here in Australia. Winning Le Mans consistently and showcasing the R8 V12 TDi has certainly helped this profile. However, the 2.0 TDi has little in common with an exciting R8 in any flavour, save for quality engineering. While it is very competent and would make a fantastic taxi, it lacks the refinement and driver experience you expect from an Audi.Both the braking and acceleration grab and jerk, and while the turbo is responsible for some of this it doesn't sit well with the profile of this car as transport for people who will pay a bit extra for German engineering over domestic.It cruises well on the freeway and acceleration is good from any speed so long as you are not expecting it to be applied in a linear fashion.At speed in the test car there was quite strong wind noise emanating from the rear door sills, again not expected from an Audi.All controls are easily accessible and you don't need to read a manual to know what's what. I don't like the orange/red dash lights that are common in most German cars these days. Whatever useability expert came up with these as the default did not interview me. Please go back to light shades of blue and green so I don't have to keep putting my glasses on just to read the dash.Audi seats are incredibly uncomfortable, with a convex curvature at the lower lumbar that pushes your spine all the wrong ways.Another seat gripe for families with young kids is that the rear seats sit very low, and the belt line is quite high, which means the kids struggle to see out the window.It is amazing to think that the A4 2.0 TDi and RS4 utilise the same platform. One is immensely desirable while the other is pedestrian.Unless you are adamant you want a diesel, buy domestic or save your pennies a bit more and buy a C-Class.Verdict: 7 

The eighth-generation A4 is ready for showroom action among Audi's 30-strong Australian dealer network from early next month.Many in the industry have been asking why it has taken so long for Audi to produce a product that can hold its own with BMW's 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.This car is now primed to go the distance but whether it can ultimately score a TKO over the proven stars from Munich and Stuttgart is a moot point.Sure, there is a lot to like about the car with its improved steering, handling, braking and ride. That said, up to 64 per cent of people who have bought an A4 say they do so primarily because of its design.A great deal of plough-on understeer has been dialled out of the front-drive models, but the rear-drive opposition from Mercedes and BMW still has the edge.The axle has been pushed further towards the front, reducing the overhang and allowing the firewall to be moved further back.On first impressions at the wheel of an entry-level 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with the Multitronic transmission, the A4 offers strong on-road composure, fresh cabin ambience, comfort and excellent ergonomics.The steering is much sharper than previous models, the brakes a little touchy in the city but felt better out on the open road.There is decent rear seat room, which has been an issue in this class previously. You need to keep working on the throttle to keep the little unit on the boil.This example was lavished with almost $7000 worth of options, blowing the price as driven to $60,400.The extra boxes ticked were the Comfort Pack, which for $2600 you gain electric seats with lumbar support, tri-zone climate control airconditioning and Bluetooth preparation, although the adapter for the mobile phone is a separate purchase.It also had metallic paint, a $1600 price hike across the range, and $1900 for larger 17-inch wheels.All up, the A4 is a better performer, using under 7 litres/100km around town, which blew to 8.5 litres/100km when the little four-cylinder was worked hard.Moving to the two-litre turbo-diesel, the driving experience was an entirely different affair.For starters, the diesel, which weighs more than the petrol engine, is slower to turn into corners, a little blunter in the steering department but is otherwise an attractive package.The two-litre delivers smooth torque, easily taking care of any hill in its path with a modicum of revs.This car had almost $10,000 of extras, including the 17-inch wheels ($1900), the Xenon headlight package ($2100), rear park-assist sensors ($850), the Audi Side and Lane Assist ($2400) and the Comfort Pack ($2600), that lifted the price to $64,750.Audi says the 1.8-litre will account for 70 per cent of sales while the two-litre diesel will attract only 10 per cent of the A4 volume.However, the entry-level diesel is an attractive package for $54,900 without extras and there are concessions from Audi that a more realistic slice of the action could be anything up to 30 per cent of sales.The cabin architecture and build quality assumes Audi's class-leading standard, although the aluminium look panel and console inserts, which Audi calls “micrometallic platinum inlays” may not wear all that well down the track. 

It is a bullish forecast on the back of a sales surge that has seen Audi double its business in Australia since 2004, including 7200 vehicles sold last year.The A4, coded the B8 in the model's family tree, is seen as Audi's last big hope to join the pacesetters of the flourishing premium compact segment.Over the years this patch has been dominated by BMW's ethereal 3-series and the spiralling growth of Mercedes-Benz's C-Class. Some observers claim this new Audi is the missile it needs to capture a share of the market outside Europe.It is a completely new and bigger car, with more dynamic refinement and technical innovations, but whether it will be enough to justify Audi's bold predictions is open to conjecture.Since 1972, when the B1 — the A4's forebear — was born, the model line has been the backbone of Audi's business, selling more than 8.5 million. In 2007 it accounted for 41 per cent of the Ingolstadt manufacturer's international sales that topped 960,000 units.Audi is cocky about the Australian prospects of the latest A4, claiming part of the success will come from improved resale values — one of its weaknesses against the traditionally strong BMW residuals.The latest A4 arrives here with a string of awards from Germany. But it is up against not only the selling might of the rear-drive 3-series but also the burgeoning Mercedes C-Class, the current Wheels Car Of The Year.And then there is the Lexus IS250.Audi risks alienating its highest-spending A8 saloon customers by suggesting that the company aims to introduce breakthrough technology on the A4.Of course Audi's famous quattro all-wheel-drive layout was fashioned on the Audi 80 in 1982 and later that decade direct-injection TDI diesels were launched with the Audi 100, both important cogs in the A4 lineage.So it is aiming to use the A4 again as the launch bed of technical breakthroughs.Among the interesting additions on the new A4 are the side-assist warning and the lane-assist device.The side-assist is essentially the same as the BLIS system, which was pioneered by Volvo.The lane-assist operation uses sensors that detect if the car is going off-course by triggering a vibration through the steering wheel, akin to running over audible rumble lines on some freeways. Together these two systems are a $2400 option.Audi is offering a range of engine choices, starting with the 1.8-litre turbo from $50,900 for the manual and $53,500 for the Multitronic.From there the range steps up to a 2.0-litre Multitronic turbo-diesel ($54,900) while the 3.2-litre V6 quattro petrol vehicle tops the range at $88,500.Joining the crowd in June is a 2.7-litre turbo-diesel at $67,900, while a 3-litre turbo-diesel from $89,500 is scheduled for October, two months after the Avant wagon arrives.Dimensionally, there are significant changes with the new car that comes off the already launched A5 coupe platform.It has been stretched a further 120mm and is 50.4mm wider, while the boot gains 20 litres which swells to a cavernous 480 litres.The quattro, which is not accessible until you stretch to the 3-litre diesel and 3.2-litre V6, has a 40/60 front/rear torque split.The A4 is 4703mm long and wins out over the 3-series (4520mm) and the C-Class (4581mm).BMW and Mercedes-Benz also have a shorter distance between the axles, with the Audi running to 2808mm against the 3-series's 2760mm and the C-Class (2760mm).The A4 has more front headroom than both of its German rivals but the 3-series and C-Class win out in front and rear shoulder width.Other key optional extras for the A4 include the drive select with adaptive dampers for $3200. You can add dynamic steering to that package, which blows the price to $5500 and is available only on the 3.2-litre V6.Then there is the Xenon Plus package (standard on the 3.2-litre V6) which adds the curvy LED daytime running lights for $2100. SnapshotAudi A4Price: from $50,900 to $88,500.Engines: 1.8-litre four cylinder, 2-litre turbo-diesel, 2.7-litre turbo-diesel, 3.2-litre V6 quattro, 3-litre turbo-diesel quattro.Transmissions: 6-speed manual, Multitronic, 6-speed Tiptronic (3.2-litre V6).Power: 118kW (1.8), 105kW (2-litre TDI), 140kW (2.7-litre TDI), 195kW (3.2-litre V6).Torque: 250Nm (1.8), 320Nm (2-litre TDI), 400Nm (2.7-litre TDI), 330Nm (3.2-litre V6).Safety: Eight airbags (standard), ESP and associated brake and skid assist programs.Fuel consumption: 7.1litres/100km (manual 1.8), 5.8litres/100km (2-litre TDI), 6.6litres/100km (2.7-litre TDI), 9.3litres/100km (3.2-litre V6).Emissions: 169g/km (1.8), 154 (2-litre TDI), 176 (2.7-litre TDI), 220 (3.2-litre V6).Standard Equipment: 6.5inch screen, automatic aircon, Milano leather seat upholstery and head restraints.Optional equipment: adaptive cruise control, adaptive lights, advanced key, various parking systems, Audi drive select with adaptive dampers, lane assist, side assist, dynamic steering, 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, Bluetooth, 3-zone automatic aircon, driver information system with monochrome display, navigation system with DVD including MMI (multi media interface), Comfort package, Symphony radio, TV reception, Xenon Plus headlight and daytime LED driving lights, gearshift display, Valcona leather. 

That in itself speaks more to the demographic Audi has targeted with its new A4 than anything as passe as an assessment of how the thing goes.The marque's all-important rival to BMW's 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class looks good — quite striking, actually. Feels good, too.Even smells all right. And, by the measure of prestige Germans, the entry price isn't savage.If this were any other car in the segment, the fact that its brave new platform delivers only a marginally improved ride than its erratic predecessor would be grim news.So would the fact that the steering is still in want of feel and that the car from Ingolstadt continues to flail about next to those from Stuttgart and (especially) Munich in the dynamics department.If that's apparent even on the cursory introductory drive, you're also inclined to think none of this will much trouble those drawn to the A4.It delivers in every tactile, feel-good respect that Audi's steadily growing crowd of clients have every right to expect. The design is captivating. Interiors are in a class of their own. And it's appreciably bigger and more generous to rear passengers than the car it replaces.So thoroughly does the A4 fulfil its brief that the marque's stated intention of overhauling BMW in Australia by 2015 seems not so much claret-infused bluster as a sober forecast.Put it this way: if you owned a B7 generation A4, you'll like the B8 version more. If you're a reflexive Merc or Bimmer buyer — or a newcomer to the German prestige oeuvre who doesn't want to be a cliche — the A4 is the sort of thing to gladden an image consultant's heart.The new A4 rides on the marque's MDS platform, in which Audi's traditional nose heaviness has been somewhat offset by moving the axle line forward relative to the engine and repositioning the steering system, as per the A5 coupe.Only so much can be done when the front wheels do some or — as is the case with three of the four variants to be first released — all of the driving and steering.Disappointingly, only one version for now is imbued with quattro all-wheel-drive. Outrageously, you have to spend nearly $90,000 — as opposed to almost $60K in the previous range — to get quattro.Most A4s are front-wheel-drive only and though superior by bum-dragging standards, the $30K car featured on page five of today's edition is noticably sharper.So much for a “very emotional dynamic experience”. But then, that's not really why you're in a four-ring showroom, is it?The A4 has been launched in three direct injection engined variants, one of them diesel with a further oiler to arrive next month.The 2.0 TDI, which carries over the Volkswagen Group's tried and true 105kW/320Nm four-cylinder turbo diesel driven through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), costs from $54,900.Coming next month, the 2.7 TDI, with 140kW/400Nm V6 driven via a CVT, begins from $67,900. Later in the year there'll be a version running the superb 3.0 TDI V6.The diesels are book-ended by the petrol cars. The entry level with the perky 1.8 turbo four-cylinder (as used in a $30,990 Skoda Octavia) is $50,900 as a six-speed manual (it's the only stick shift model) and $53,900 with CVT.The 3.2 FSI V6 — with the latest version rear-biased, torque sensing quattro and upgraded six-speed tiptronic automatic — is $88,500 and exceeds $100K if you so much as dabble with the options list.Wagon versions of the 1.8 and 2.0 TDI are due in August.Like the two-door A5, the sedan has an imposing appearance not adequately reflected in photos.Those distinctive daytime running lights — 14 miniature LEDs clustered around the headlamps — are an arresting signature.Obviously bigger within, the interior also remains world-leading, shading Lexus's IS 250, easily surpassing the C-Class and leaving the spartan 3 Series for dead. The A4 is a nice place to spend time.Among the raft of optional and expensive extras, Active Drive — a switchable system that affects damper settings and the steering ratio — seems to have some sort of useful application. You're afforded the choice of the “comfort”, “auto” or “dynamic” and the variation noticeably alters the tempo of proceedings.There'll be a rush to the 1.8 TFSI with CVT. It's a lovely, torquey, rorty engine. But we'd go for the 2.0 TDI, which achieves a strong claimed economy figure (5.8 litres per 100km), adequate performance and was better tied down on the road.The petrol V6 makes a wonderful sound, but the forthcoming $89,500 3.0 TDI promises to be the best of the range, one to at least challenge Benz's superb C320 CDI, easily the best prestige German car under $100K.But where's a circa $65K 2.0 TFSI quattro version? That might be an A4 that's as good to drive to the restaurant as it looks parked outside. SNAPSHOT AUDI A4 1.8 TFSIPrice: $50,900 manual, $53,900 autoEngine: 1.8L/4-cylinder turbo petrol, 118kW/250NmTransmission: 6-speed man or CVTEconomy: 7.1L/100km (claimed) 

Audi has attained a level of luxury and sophistication so envied by many of its rivals. There have been many notable milestones down the years for Audi, one of the world's oldest automotive names, all contributing to redefining the very DNA of the third German brand.From the introduction of quattro drive to the switch to lightweight aluminium for construction and components to the pioneering use of high-tech equipment like low-energy LED lights; and soon the launch of one of the world's greenest diesels; the brand has been winning many fans in the desirability stakes.Audi has been placing emphasis on sporty and sophistication; and it's winning hearts as a result.But if Audi wants to successfully don the 'driver's car' mantle worn by the likes of BMW then it has to earn its rightful place.Some mainstream models to date have shown the Audi recipe hasn't quite been perfected; some vital ingredients have been provided in only three-quarter measure.There's no question Audi has the styling to turn heads; look at the sexy TT; and it has the power to impress; drive the just-launched RS8 or the more affordable RS4 and you'll come away smiling.And Audi has attained a level of luxury and sophistication so envied by many of its rivals; you only have to look at the flagship A8.But missing in its mainstream models has been balance and handling, something Audi has made a serious effort to address in the latest version of its biggest selling model, the executive class A4, which will hit the Australian market in April as a rival to the 3-Series Bimmer, C-Class Benz and the likes of the Lexus IS250 and Honda Accord Euro.Under the skin, the A4 is very much a new beast, and carguide's first drive over Sardinia's mountainous roads proved it now handles as well as its redefined and distinctive looks.The success of the A4 can't be understated for Audi Australia. While niche models like the RS8 supply the sauce, it is models like the A4 which add the meat to its sales story.The A4 has played a cornerstone position in Audi Australia's remarkable growth, with sales for the year up 39 per cent over the same period last year and the brand well on track for its fifth consecutive year of market growth. But Audi Australia is hungry for further expansion and its wish list is lengthy.“If we can get the models we want for the right price and there's a market, then we'll take them,” Audi Australia spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf said.That wish list includes the sporty S4 variant, a new RS4, the practical A4 wagon (expected at the Paris Motor Show next September), the A4 cabriolet and the Q5, the smaller brother to the SUV Q7. While they don't like to talk about it openly at Audi, the hands are up for future models like the A4 sports hatch and the baby twins, the A1 and S1, designed to take on the likes of the Mini Cooper.Meanwhile, the immediate focus is on the A4, which shares much in common with the just-launched A5 coupe as well as borrowing technology from the luxury A6 and A8. The A4 Audi will continue with its now well-proven direct fuel injection technology for both petrol and diesel engines, a system which boosts power and lowers fuel consumption.Four versions of the A4 will be presented in Australia in April; two petrol and two diesel. Pricing is still being finalised, but Burgdorf says the entry model, the well-equipped 1.8-litre turbocharged FSI petrol, will come in at somewhere between $50,000 and $55,000 and will be the volume seller. The existing 1.8 sells for $56,150 while the cheapest model in the current line-up is the 2-litre naturally aspirated sedan at $50,450.Also in the first wave will be the direct fuel-injected 3.2-litre petrol, a turbo 2-litre diesel and the larger 2.7-litre diesel.Other versions, including the 3-litre 176kW diesel, which packs 500Nm of torque, is a given. Next year, Audi will boost its green credentials by offering an ultra-low emission version of this motor, promising it will be one of the cleanest oil burners in the world, meeting emission standards which won't be in force in Europe until 2014.It will feature sensors within the combustion chamber to manage the injection system and use an additive injected into the exhaust, which cuts the emissions of oxides of nitrogen by as much as 90 per cent at the tail pipe. The additive, also being adopted by rival brands and even the trucking industry, converts into ammonia under high temperatures, which in turn breaks down the oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust into harmless nitrogen and water.Internationally, Audi has launched the A4 with a range of five more powerful but more frugal engines and a choice of three transmissions, including an eight-speed CVT.The petrol engines, all with high-compression direct fuel injection (FSI), gain an average 13 per cent reduction in fuel usage.The naturally aspirated 3.2 V6 has 195kW (up from 188kW) and now features variable valve lift for better flexibility. Maximum torque of 330Nm is available from 3000 to 5000rpm. Audi says the quattro version, with a six-speed manual, can do the zero to 100km/h dash in a respectable 6.2 seconds. Maximum speed is governed at 250km/h. It will also be available with a six-speed tiptronic auto box.The turbocharged four-cylinder 1.8 is good for 118kW with peak torque of 250Nm, with most of it on tap from 1500 to 4500rpm. Audi quotes a zero to 100km/h time of 8.6 seconds for the front-wheeler. It will come with a manual or CVT Multitronic transmission. Reflecting just how far engine technology has advanced, the four-cylinder now develops as much power as a V6 did only a few years ago.The diesels are a win-win story; they come with common-rail fuel injection with piezo injectors and benefit from an average 6 per cent cut in fuel use and are quieter as well as being Euro 5 emission compliant.There are two V6s and a four-cylinder in the mix. The pick is the quattro 3-litre turbo; which now develops 176kW (up from 171kW) with a massive 500Nm of torque (was 450Nm) spread from 1500 to 3000rpm. The diesel is good for a zero to 100km/h sprint in an impressive 6.9 seconds. It comes with a six-speed manual.The line-up also includes a 2.7-litre diesel with 140kW (up from 132kW) and 400Nm on tap and a promised fuel consumption of just 6.6l/100km.The baby of the diesel range is the cheap-to-run 2-litre turbo with 105kW and 320Nm. With a six-speed manual, Audi says it's good for just 5.5l/100km. It also will be available with an eight-speed CVT transmission.Standout features of the A4 will include Audi's optional innovative multimedia centre (a much more intuitive and easier-to-operate system than BMW's iDrive), and a three-zone automatic airconditioning system. The quirky looking LED running lights, resembling the horns of a bull, which underscore the headlamps are for daytime use and will be included in the Australian models. They are the handiwork of Spanish designer Andreu Sola who came to Audi from SEAT and give the A4 its focal point.Like the A5/S5 coupe, the sedan is built on Audi's new and flexible Modular Longitudinal-mounted engine Platform (MLP), which will also be the architecture for the next generation A6, the Q5 and the next A8. The platform has been designed to accept interchangeable modules for the drive trains, suspensions, axles and electronics, cutting production costs.The A4's design revolution includes a logical repositioning of the engine components (first tried on the A8) to give the car better balance. It neatly overcomes the previous model's handicap of being too front-heavy, creating understeer. It has also allowed a stretching of the wheelbase and bonnet while the new A4 is also slightly wider and the huge overhangs have disappeared.That all adds up to a big improvement in cabin and boot space, especially in the backseat.The rebalancing act was achieved by swapping the position of the front differential with the clutch and torque converter. That allowed the front axle to be shoved forward by a massive 15.4cm.Other changes include an all-new alloy front suspension, a revamp of the rear set-up, and on the quattro versions the torque split now favours the rear with a 60/40 bias; the same as used on the current RS4.Chopping off the A4's ugly front overhang has improved its appearance and stretching the wheelbase and bonnet make the car look bigger than its actual size.The styling job gives the A4 a more muscular, purposeful stance. The rear end looks chunky and there's a more sculptured look to the profile.On the technology front, the A4 showcases the new Audi Drive Select system, similar to BMW's, which allows the driver to tailor the throttle, damper, variable steering and gear shift patterns to suit their driving style or road conditions.And there's a raft of electronic goodies like an optional Bang and Olufsen sound system, tyre pressure monitors, Bluetooth capability, parking sensors, adaptive steering, adaptive cruise control and a lane change collision warning system similar to that used by Volvo.But pick of the techno bits is a warning system which tells a driver they are wandering out of their lane by vibrating the steering wheel; an idea already used by Citroen. It works by using a small forward-facing camera mounted on the windscreen, which looks at the lane markings and works out if the car is about to cross them. The system only works at speeds greater than 65km/h and can be cancelled by using the traffic indicator.The most important safety innovation is the new adaptive steering system. Using a small electric motor, the system works away in the background and can make slight but rapid changes to the car's steering ratio based on road speed (without the driver being aware of it) to help overcome both under and oversteer at high speeds or instability while heavy braking on uneven surfaces.It works in tandem with an electronic stability control system but Audi says it can react and make changes to the car's direction up to three times quicker; than by just relying on ESP utilising the car's brakes to regain control.There are up to eight airbags, with Audi using sensors in the seat to determine the weight and position of passengers to tailor the inflation of the bags for maximum effect. Road testBMW should be considered the benchmark for building true driver's cars, be alarmed or just alert at the effect the Audi A4 could have on its grip on the executive car market?Alarmed, possibly, but alert? Certainly.The A4; even the base 1.8-litre petrol version, expected to be the volume seller in Australia; delivers a convincing argument that Audi now has the credentials to play in BMW's own back yard.Until now Audi hasn't been much of a serious threat to its German rival, but the A4 is different; big on performance, with a big dose of fun factor as a bonus.When the current A4 was launched in 2004 it was more of an evolution of the model, even though it had been given a design makeover. But it was flawed; not seriously, but flawed nevertheless.The new A4 is a revolution, adding well-mannered handling to its credentials, and in doing so positions itself much closer to its German rivals, especially the prowess of the BMW 3Series.The previous A4 was likeable and civilised but demanded concentration and effort if driven with spirit. It lacked poise. Being nose-heavy, it had a propensity to understeer; all easily controlled, but the driver had to work hard.A day's driving of the new A4 over the twisty mountain roads of Sardinia; quickly confirmed that Audi's efforts to transform the sedan have worked a treat.This is an imposing car from most angles. Its high belt-line and dashboard tends to envelop you in the cabin, but the A4 is comfortable and now comes with more rear legroom, while the cockpit has been angled more towards the driver.And the new MMI; that's Audispeak for Multi Media Interface; which works very well. The MMI is a one-stop shop to control the car's settings, audio and navigation systems and is much easier and more intuitive than BMW's often-criticised iDrive.Look around the cabin and you will find a lot of technology handed down from the A8 and A6, like the smart-key transponder and the designed-for-America electric parking brake.But the really impressive stuff is under the skin, thanks to Audi's tinkering with the car's balance and suspension. Handling in the front-wheel-drive models has become crisper, with better turn-in, while the Quattro, thanks to the change in torque split putting more emphasis to the rear, now feels closer to BMW in dynamics, with the added advantage of all-wheel-drive traction.Rebalancing the car's mass was a logical fix to the problems associated with the previous model, but the outcome is nevertheless a surprise, considering there's still a great lump of motor ahead of the front axle.The A4 can be three cars in one. Alter the car's dampening rates and level of steering assistance using the optional Drive Select; you get a choice of switching between comfort, dynamic and letting the car make its own mind up; produces vastly different handling characteristics.The comfort setting may be a tad too soft for Australia's roads and the steering provides only a modicum of feedback. The dynamic setting brings it closer to a true sports saloon. There's less steering assistance and you can feel the steering loading up in the twisty stuff; it's more direct and accurate. The downside is that the firmer ride on uneven surfaces can feel fidgety.What was impressive was just how much meaty torque is available over a wide rev range from both petrol and diesel versions. In the diesels especially there's plenty of reassuring pulling power for passing . At mid revs the A4 hunkers down as the rush of torque comes into play.Push the car hard over sweeping roads and the handling feels reasonably neutral, with little sign of torque-steer in the front-wheel versions. The Quattro, on the other hand, is simply awesome.The performance of the 2.7-litre diesel in particular impressed, acting more like a petrol than an oil-burner.But the big surprise was the entry-level 1.8-litre petrol; which acted as though it had a larger engine under the bonnet, and being lighter than the V6s gave it great agility.But Sardinia's smooth roads worked both for and against the A4. They highlighted the car's suppleness but also masked its ability to cope with uneven and rough chip surfaces typically found in Australia. When it did face the rough patch it showed the cabin wasn't isolated from suspension clatter and noise. At times there was a feeling the redesigned front suspension, whic was too hard and the rear just the opposite, being spongy. Only testing Down Under on more familiar road surfaces will prove if this is an issue.The A4 has been transformed into a classy act and its handling is now as good as its bold styling. Perhaps BMW should be alarmed after all. 

At the time of driving that A4 a great distance — and being impressed by nothing much other than its ability to use very little fuel while doing so — there were but a handful of diesels available.Twelve months on, and this hack alone has sampled no fewer than 24 of all shapes and sizes, from the merest Volkswagen Polo to the massive Mercedes-Benz GL.The latest of which just happens to be the second A4 diesel — one that is to its humbler diesel colleague what a fully fledged McLaren Vale shiraz is to a decent cleanskin red.Actually, the A4 3.0 TDI quattro is so accomplished and so satisfying, that to compare it only with other diesels would do it a disservice. Its versatility and sheer brio demands to be considered in the broader context of sporting sedans, no matter what type of juice they drink.If expectation (which was minimal in this case) is weighed against experience (not so much eyebrow-raising as dislocating) this model is not only the Audi of the year, but among the best unsung cars of 2006.Why not? One knew the RS4 was going to be Wagnerian, that the TT would be easy to like and the Q7 would be whatever it is people who want a 2.3-tonne SUV to be.First tested in August, the A4 performed with conviction and alacrity even on the icy mountain roads of Tasmania. Permanent all-wheel drive provided grip to rival that of a koala up a gum tree for tenacity as the A4 sliced through wet corners at more than double the recommended speed. Its readily tappable torque level was as mountainous as the scenery.Our co-driver — a scholarly gentleman from a noted performance-car magazine — asserted that the oiler was the "default S4".Indeed, we both felt the six-cylinder direct injection turbo diesel we had at our feet was a better thing 90 per cent of the time than Audi's own petrol V8.Mated to a six-speed tiptronic auto with sports program, the A4 could be driven with minimal inputs in "D", or vigorously via the gear-shifting paddles mounted on the steering wheel, automatic change-ups occurring only when the redline was reached.This is the ideal means by which to extract the utmost from the 171kW 3.0 litre TDI six, which also graces the bigger A6 sedan. Its take-no-prisoners 450Nm comes on stream from 1400rpm.Although the quattro system can't offset the A4's nose-heaviness, nor endow it with the peerless rear-wheel-drive dynamics of BMW's 3 Series sixes, the Audi's a sporting sedan for most people and most occasions.Two subsequent stints of Sydney driving have also marked it as a better daily-friendly device than its Bavarian neighbour, not least because the Audi employs conventional tyres, as opposed to the Bimmer's run-flats.Although run-flats are improving with each generation, NSW roads are not, and the less rigid sidewalls of the Audi's 17-inch, medium-profile shoes providea more forgiving ride — to say nothing of being more readily obtainable and less expensive.There's the piece of mind that comes from knowing that, should you shred a tyre while stranded far from civilisation, the Audi packs a full-size spare.The 3.0 TDI quattro combines typically Audi levels of understated class,first-class fit and finish with a massive bootage and wallet-friendly economy.Claimed fuel consumption for combined conditions is 8.4 litres per 100km. Even in unrelentingly urban driving, consumption stayed south of 14 litres per 100km. Maximum range is 750km.This from a six-cylinder engine moving a 1655kg kerb weight, and one that can — should the mood take you — get the A4 to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.It's been but a few weeks since wewere spurting on about the Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro.Sorry about that, because even at its excruciating price point of $86,700, the A4 undercuts its marginally bigger sibling by about $15k — while filling a niche in which neither the C-Class Merc nor the 3 Series can offer an immediate rival.And, uniquely, there's no Volkswagen to undercut this Audi.Don't know what we'll be saying this time next year, but with the next generation mid-size Audi unlikely to reach these shores before 2008, this A4 model looks to have longevity to rival its range.

Normally noise is a negative factor for convertibles. Drive along at highway speeds with the top down and you will be doing damage to your eardrums in a convertible. Even with the top up, it can be noisy.There are many other problems associated with rag-top driving.For a start, convertibles don't handle as well as their sedan brothers because the chassis is not as taut.That's because there is a gaping hole where the roof is supposed to be keeping out the rain and UV rays while holding the car together. And the bigger the convertible, the worse the handling.Manufacturers add extra chassis stiffeners to convertibles to stop the body twisting, but this makes the vehicle heavier than the sedan. In the Audi, it's up to 170kg heavier, the weight of two adult male passengers.Then there is the lack of security of a rag top. Thieves can simply slash and grab.To overcome the problems of security, noise and handling, some manufacturers have chosen to go with a folding hard-top roof. But that also presents a problem. It takes up more boot space than the folding rag top (but not in the Mazda MX-5 and new BMW 3 Series).And despite the shift by their leading competitor BMW to a folding hard top, Audi has stayed with the rag top.And I applaud them for it.Because with the top up or down, you can hear that glorious Formula One-style growl from the twin exhaust. It's enough to drive a full-grown man to tears of joy.And if you are in the market for a convertible then you think with your heart, you are passionate about motoring and you value feelings more than practicalities.The Audi certainly fits the bill.Released in July, it comes with a choice of two engines: a 1.8 turbo with 120kW of power and 225Nm of torque or the 3.2 FSI petrol direct injection V6 with 188kW and 330Nm.The 1.8T is priced at $83,400 and the V6 is available for $107,800.I drove the V6 and, although there are shortcomings with handling, that exhaust note is an outstanding selling point. So is the power that comes on lightning fast at high revs which is where the exhaust really sings.The sedan comes in quattro or front-wheel drive; the cabrio is available in front-wheel drive, so dynamic handling is not as good.There is a mountain of torque steer (that's when the steering wheel pulls left or right under heavy acceleration).The effect is exacerbated by the instantaneous launch feeling of the V6. Torque steer is fairly typical of high-powered front-wheel drivers, but it can be engineered out as in the Mazda MPS.While the handling is not as good as the sedan, Audi has worked hard to make this car handle well — for a convertible.They have modified the dynamic suspension system, with A6 shock absorbers, four-link front suspension and the sporty S4's self-tracking rear trapezoidal-link and front track rods. But don't expect a rough ride.Audi has ensured that it sits flat in corners, but without sacrificing comfort. They have allowed some compliance in the springs and shocks and consequently there is some pitch on acceleration and braking, and scuttle shake over sharp bumps.Audi has also kept its eye on style, comfort and safety. It now comes with clear front and rear lights, rear diffuser and an abundance of aluminium trim.On the safety front it has Xenon Plus headlights with automatic beam angle adjustment and daytime driving lights (optional for the 1.8T). Adaptive headlights that swivel to follow the corner are available as options.There are two-stage driver's airbag and side airbags, improved side impact protection and active roll-over protection system with two roll-over bars that project behind the rear seats for extra peace of mind.On the comfort front, the supportive front seats are heated. And doesn't that give you a warm feeling?Fast factsAudi A4 Cabrio 3.2Price: $107,800Engine: 3.1-litre, FSI petrol direct injection V6, 188kW@6500rpm, 330Nm@3250rpmTransmission: 7-speed continuously variable multitronic auto, front-wheel driveWheels/tyres: 17-inch alloys; 235/45 R 17, 5-parallel spokeFuel: 9.7L/100km combined claimed

It delivers 171kW at 3500rpm to 4000rpm and the real fun comes with the 450Nm coming on at a low 1400rpm to 3250rpm.Audi claims this engine is the most powerful six-cylinder diesel engine in its class and also one of the lightest diesels in the world. But the fun and the upper-class looks of this Audi comes at a price, $86,700 to be precise.It goes up against rivals such as the BMW 320d and the Chrysler 300C, which are both cheaper but by the time you add some options, you're not far off.And the BMW offers a less impressive performance, with only a four-cylinder engine, and while the diesel 300C has good figures, it is a lot bigger on the road, compared with Audi's more compact sedan.Audis A6 model, sharing the same turbo diesel engine, took the award for the best luxury car over $57,000 at Australia's best car awards last year. In the A4, it sprints to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds and offers a good performance and good fuel economy, all wrapped up in a package that delivers surprisingly little noise. Although no need to fret, a revving growl is still present and impresses as you launch from a standstill.This turbocharged V6 engine uses the latest-generation common rail technology and piezo injectors, as well as twin intercoolers in the turbocharging.It also provides the security of the quattro all-wheel-drive system.Fitted to a six-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic functions and steering-wheel mounted paddles for quick shifting, this diesel A4 has comfortable and dynamic handling, although it does feel a little firm oncity roads.Its extra fun when slipping the smooth slider into the sporty "S" mode, as it holds on to the gears a bit longer, like music to your ears. But the steering feels too light and mundane and takes away some of the fun.The benefits of a diesel are evident when looking at the fuel economy of the Audi. The official claimed fuel consumption of the A4's latest edition is 8.4 litres per 100km and our test showed it to be accurate, with even better figures reaching below 8 litres per 100km.Audi's smaller 2.0-litre A4 petrol model produces similar figures, with a claimed 8.3 litres per 100km, but doesn't have such an inspiring performance as its diesel sibling.And as can be expected, the Audi offers all the elegance of a classy, luxury car, the only way to really contrast such an impressive engine. These features include leather interior, electric front seats, wood trim and cruise control, to name a few.But while the package has an aura of classiness and elegance, it is plain in design. There is also limited leg room in the back and the car could do with some more storage compartments in the front.The A4 comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, automatic windscreen wipers, a front centre armrest, and a good sound system with 10 speakers.It looks sporty in appearance with an attractive single frame grille on the front and features high levels of safety, including Electronic Stability Program, anti-lock braking system and brake assist. It also has front, side and curtain airbags.Open the boot, and the A4 has plenty of storage space, as well as a full-size spare.