01-21-2009, 08:53 PM
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| Driving.ca Road Test: 2009 Audi A4 3.2 quattro
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Advanced technology has been partly responsible for the surge of Audi's sales worldwide. While the R8 is one of the most desirable cars on the planet, it's the FSI direct injection and S tronic twin-clutch gearbox in the A3 that's luring consumers in with stellar fuel efficiency. Likewise, it's the magnetorheological dampers and the hybrid-steel aluminum chassis of the TT that allows it to attract the sort of drivers that once dismissed it as being nothing more than a Golf in a cocktail frock. And there's still plenty to expect with the new A4 - a brand new platform, new engines, and, of course, those LED daytime running lights, all of which help Audi's smallest sedan to cement its status as one of the best cars in its class.
And though the associations aren't as strong, technology has helped the A4 become one of the roomiest cars in its segment. Making the transition from the old cabin, which was rather cozy for those up front and cozier for passengers in back as it was short on rear legroom, to the new interior, the A4 sports sizable growth in its wheelbase by some 16 cm (6.3 inches), which equates to a rear compartment that feels nearly as spacious as the A6.
And while its physical footprint isn't as big as Infiniti's size-and-a-half G35, or Acura's TL, it's big enough to trump the C and the class benchmark 3 by large amounts. How Audi managed to fit a 480-litre trunk into the A4 is an enigma - it's more than 50 litres larger than the A8. German mafia henchmen, this is your new ride.
And while the rear seating area might be a nice place to pass time, the seat you'll want to be in is the one behind the steering wheel. From the driver's position, the A4's cabin is essentially identical to that in the A5, with the A6 and Q7-style wraparound dash that flows into the centre console. Like all other Audis, bar the A4 and TT, every A4 features MMI with slick new flush controls as standard equipment, though navigation is an option. One problem I noted with the outgoing model was that the armrest was in the way of the parking brake, but not so any more as the new A4 features a space-saving electronic parking brake unit. All A4s also get a brake holding function similar to the VW Tiguan and Passat, keeping you from rolling backwards when taking off from an incline.
| Full article: autos.canada
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