Audi A4

Impressions:

The A4 is hands down the most diverse of Audi's extensive line of vehicles. It offers the broadest range of economy, performance and platforms. What other manufacturer lets you choose between a four-cylinder and a V8? Although the four-door sedan models and Avant wagons were redesigned for the 2005 model year, the convertible models soldiered on in their previous forms and with their older engines. For 2007, that disparity is gone as the fresh new Cabriolet finally makes its debut sharing the powertrain choices with the existing lineup. That means the 1.8-liter four-cylinder and the 3.0-liter V6 are out and the 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo motor is in as the base powerplant and the 255-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 comes to bat as an option. The big surprise is the Cabriolet S4 with its 340-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 driving all four wheels through Audi's fabulous Quattro AWD system. Picking fights with BMW seems to be part of Audi's corporate edict these days and the proof is the RS4 four-door sedan whose 4.2-liter V8 belts out 420 horsepower to all four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The idea is to pose a preemptive threat to the upcoming BMW M3, which is rumored to be V8-powered with about the same output. Key to the RS4's 0-60-m.p.h. time of 4.8 seconds is the engine's ability to rev to 8,250 r.p.m. The 4.2 uses no induction aids, such as a supercharger or turbocharger. Quattro, which diverts power to the wheels that grip from the wheels that slip, is either standard or available as an option on every 2007 A4, although it's mandatory when you select an Avant wagon or any S4/RSR. Transmission choices, depending on the engine, consist of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Although many competitors' convertibles have gone the way of retracting metal roof panels, Audi's new four-seat Cabriolet uses a folding soft top. According to Audi, an acoustic-roof option cuts the interior noise to the level of the closed-roof sedan. As before, there are numerous option packages to add more function and/or style to your A4, including parts and pieces to make it look more like a performance-oriented S4.