Audi A4

The Audi A4 automobile consist of a longitudinal front engine design, with transaxle-type transmissions mounted at the rear of the engine. The cars are front-wheel drive, or on some models, "quattro" all-wheel drive.

Overview

Measuring 185 inches in length, the current A4 is 4.5 inches longer than the previous model and also larger than many of its rivals. This means it has a relatively spacious interior for the class, especially in the rear seat area. Audi's designers also clipped the overhangs to give the car sportier appearance, while the engineers moved the engine more towards the center of the car in order to back up the appearance with an improved weight distribution and better driving dynamics.

Though prior A4s offered multiple engine choices, the latest model is powered solely by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This motor produces horsepower 220 from 4,300 to 6,000 rpm, and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm.
The A4 is offered with three trim levels: 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Premium Plus and 2.0T Prestige.All A4 models are fitted with dual front, side thorax and side curtain airbags along with stability and traction control systems and electronic brake-force distribution with brake assist.The Audi A4 is targeted at the perennial gold standard of sports sedans, the BMW 3 Series, as well as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Cadillac ATS and the Lexus IS.

Powertrain Options

Interestingly, despite having just one engine, there are three transmissions to choose from. The first is a six-speed manual transmission, good for a zero-to-60 jaunt of just 6.4 seconds, while returning 22 city and 30 highway miles per gallon. This of course is mated to the sporty quattro all-wheel drive system.

Opting for the convenience of a Tiptronic eight-speed transmission will lower fuel economy to 21 city, 29 highway, and add two-tenths to the zero-to-60 time. This model also features quattro all-wheel drive.

The final transmission option is the Multitronic CVT, which returns the best highway fuel economy of 31 mpg (the city rating is 21 mpg) and the slowest acceleration time of the three at 7.1 seconds. This is the only transmission to use FrontTrak front-wheel drive.

Those looking for more grunt than the A4's turbo four can offer should consider the Audi S4, which boasts a supercharged V6 with 333 horsepower.

Trim Level Breakdown

The entry-level 2.0T Premium model comes standard with leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, automatic single-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel a ten-speaker audio system, a three-zone automatic climate control system, xenon headlights, LED taillights, a S line exterior with a more aggressive body kit and 18-inch RS-design wheels.

To those features, the 2.0T Premium Plus adds heated seats, Bluetooth smartphone connectivity and iPod/iPhone integration.

The range-topping 2.0T Prestige adds a navigation system, a 14-speaker, 505-watt Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, rear parking sensors, an advanced key system and adaptive xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.

Notable options include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and Audi Drive Select, which offers a variety of different suspension, steering, transmission and engine calibrations.

The S line Style package brings 18-inch 10-spoke design wheels, all-season tires, Audi Xenon plus front lighting, dynamic headline range adjustment, LED taillights, high-gloss aluminum exterior window trim, S line fender badgers, S line bumpers, side sill blades, and stainless steel door sills with an S line badge.

The Black Optic package includes black exterior touches and 19-inch Titanium Rotor-design wheels.

Premium Plus buyers can order the Technology package, which bundles MMI Navigation plus, Audi connect, parking system plus and Audi side assist, as well as a Sport plus package is also offered.

Occupant Safety 

Optional on Prestige-trim models is Audi side assist, which monitors blind spots and fast-approaching vehicles.

Key Competitors