The Audi A4's technical excellence and front- or all-wheel drive prowess have always been first-rate, but since its inception in 1994, its styling has been on the conservative side. While that has undoubtedly added to its attraction for those people looking for a compact sports-luxury sedan that is different from the common choices, a little more flash, tastefully done, wouldn't hurt at all.
And that is exactly what Audi has done for the next-generation 2009 A4. At a quick glance, it looks like its high-performance cousin the S5. And while it leverages familiar styling cues for continuity, the newest A4 is just a touch larger than its predecessors, for more interior space, re-proportioned for both looks and chassis dynamics, and revised under the skin for improvements in safety and performance.
The new A4 is offered in both sedan and sport wagon (Avant in Audispeak) body styles. If the bodies are new, the engines may seem familiar at a glance, as they are the familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or 3.2-liter naturally-aspirated V6. But both have been significantly developed for improved efficiency. Which means more power from less fuel. And the six-speed torque-converter automatic used with both engines has important enhancements for increased efficiency and performance as well. Sedans are offered with the four in front-wheel drive form, with the newly-upgraded continuously-variable (CVT) "Multitronic" transmission, four-cylinder quattro all-wheel drive with a six-speed manual or the automatic, or V6-powered with quattro and the automatic. The Avant is currently offered with the turbo four and automatic in quattro trim only, for an all-weather stealth sports vehicle.
I recently concluded an impressive week with a new A4 2.0T quattro with the automatic and a more than comprehensive sampling of the option list. Most of the $12,790 worth of options emphasized the A4's luxury side, with premium sound, LED daytime running lights as found on the S5 and R8, enough electronic entertainment systems to perhaps qualify for a booth at CES, and more. But I'd give more attention to the Audi Drive Select system, which integrates engine and transmission mapping, steering, and suspension control systems to allow ride qualities, handling characteristics, and reaction times to vary from sporty luxury to purely sport under manual control, or to vary automatically as determined by the onboard computer systems. It's more transparent and less intrusive than some other systems in the same vein, and is entirely in keeping with Audi's high-tech character. Vorsprung durch Technik, as the Audi motto goes - or "advancement through technology". Think of Drive Select as fighter jet technology for the street.
But in truth, all of that is icing on the cake. The basic A4 is an extremely competent car, as always, and with the extra horsepower and torque now extracted from the direct-injected 2.0-liter turbo engine matched with quattro traction it is like no other car in its class. It's the refined offspring of a rally car in a business suit, perfect transportation for all conditions.
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