The first thing most will notice about the new mid-
2005 Audi A4 is its massive new trapezoid grille that soon will adorn the faces of all Audis.
Some will like the grille -- taken from Audi's Nuvolari quattro concept car -- but others might feel it's overdone, especially since the A4 is Audi's best-selling line. Automakers rarely get too adventuresome with top-selling models.
However, the grille looks better in person than in photographs. Audi thought it was needed to help distinguish the entry A4 models from strong rivals such as the new BMW 3-Series, revised Mercedes-Benz C-Class and last year's redesigned Acura TL.
The A4 was redesigned for 2002 with new styling, a slightly larger, roomier body and a higher-horsepower V-6 -- along with a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission.
So why change a car that should be good for at least another year or so? Because the A4 was considered too conservative in a very competitive market to fit with new Audi models.
Aside from the grille, the slightly longer new A4 sedan and nearly identical station wagon shows Audi hasn't lost its styling prowess.
The slightly wedge-shaped A4 looks sweet, with a high window line similar to that of the muscular-looking Chrysler 300, gently curved roof, flared wheel arches and a "tight'' appearance -- as if the body is shrink-wrapped around the cabin and mechanical components.
Newly designed, larger bumpers are body colored -- they reach a long way down, seemingly pulling the A4 closer to the road. The wagon looks as good as the sedan.
The quiet, form-fitting interior is elegantly simple, with a hub on the race-styling steering wheel that repeats the grille shape. Front seats offer good lateral support while zipping through curves, gauges are easily read and well-placed controls are within convenient reach. Even cupholders are nicely designed to prevent spills.
Four adults fit comfortably, as long as a driver doesn't move his seat too far back, in which case a tall, long-legged person behind him will find leg room becomes rather tight. The right rear passenger has no such problem, but more rear-seat room would be appreciated.
There's no space problem with the trunk -- it's impressively large, with a low, wide opening and lid that raises smoothly on hydraulic struts and pops up well out of the way.
Rear seatbacks fold forward to enlarge the cargo area, but should sit a little flatter when flipped forward. Too bad the bottom seat cushions don't fold forward for even more cargo room, even in the wagon, which Audi calls the Avant.
The new A4 sedan's list prices go from $27,350 to $35,400, while the wagon goes from $30,450 to $36,400.
All A4s are well equipped with comfort, convenience and safety items, although there are some desirable high-priced option packages, such as a $2,100 package that contains items including a power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof.
The A4 comes with front-drive or Audi's accomplished all-wheel-drive "quattro'' system.
Larger new engines are a smooth, strong turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder with 200 horsepower (up from 170) or a 3.2-liter V-6 with 255 horsepower -- 35 more than its predecessor V-6.
Both smooth engines are designed for U.S. driving, with strong acceleration at low speeds and when merging into high-speed traffic and passing on highways.
However, a driver must be in the right gear with the manual gearbox to get the best acceleration from the four-cylinder engine, with downshifts from sixth to four gear for the best 65-75 mph passing. Get caught in too high a gear and the A4 is sluggish.
The engines have direct fuel injection, which was on the engine the powered the Le Mans, France, race-winning Audi R8. Direct injection is used for the first time with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the A4. It makes more sense than common indirect injection because it injects fuel directly into combustion chambers for more power and better fuel economy.
The engines are backed by a slick six-speed manual gearbox with a light, but long-throw, clutch -- along with a new six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift feature or (except in the wagon) a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Estimated fuel economy varies with engine, transmission and drive systems. It's 22 mpg city and 30-31 highway with the four-cylinder and 19 and 26 with the V-6.
The A4 is fun to drive, with quick, accurate electric-assist power steering and a new rear suspension for sharper handling and a better ride. A standard anti-skid system helps keep drivers out of trouble. And anti-lock brakes with good pedal feel and electronic brake-pressure distribution allow quick, sure stops.
I drove a $30,450 A4 Avant with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and manual transmission. The wagon was so quick with the turbo engine that the V-6 seems superfluous. However, Audi thinks it's needed because rivals offer six-cylinder engines. The V-6 also fits nicely between the four-cylinder and ferocious 4.2-liter, 340-horsepower V-8 in the low-volume hot rod S4 version of the A4 I also tested, but that's another story.
2005 AUDI A4
Prices
$27,350-$36,400
Likes
Swift. Agile. Fairly roomy. Nifty manual gearbox. Upscale.
Dislikes
Controversial grille. Long-throw clutch. Getting caught in wrong gear.