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Audi A4 sedan expands in stature with new powertrain choices
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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ATLANTA, Ga. -- The signal at an intersection goes to green as we slip the stick to the first notch and step on the pedal in a new A4 1.8T, base edition in flush format for a near-luxury sedan by Audi of Germany.
Although the A4 1.8T totes a muscular 1.8-liter four-in-line engine fitted with turbocharger and intercooler, it magically manages to eliminate the customary lag in timing for the launch -- that annoying lull of a second or more after pushing the accelerator while the turbocharger spools up before kicking out boosted torque to turn the wheels.
Without hesitating, our A4 rolls immediately off the line for a run up the gear ladder until we bump against the boulevard's posted speed limit.
It feels vigorous and quick, drawing on the full force of the engine's production of 170 hp at 5900 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque spread across a broad band from 1950 to 5000 rpm.
Entry issue in the A4 series carries the 1.8-liter turbo plant in front-wheel-drive FrontTrak format linked to the manual five-speed.
In addition, Audi offers a new multitronic shifter, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that approaches the manual's fuel economy and quickness but delivers undetectable shift transitions through an electric clutch.
To ensure tire traction on pavement, A4 is also available with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system, a permanently engaged device that distributes the engine's power to all four wheels.
A torsion-sensing center differential sends up to two-thirds of the power to whichever axle, front or rear, can maintain the best tire grip. Laced on top of this effect, the quattro system also includes electronic locking for front and rear differentials in a process that senses and retards individual wheel spin, then redistributes the driving torque from one side to the other, left or right, to keep tires stuck on pavement.
Transmission for the A4 1.8T quattro is either the five-speed manual or Audi's five-speed automatic coupled to a Porsche-designed Tiptronic clutch-less shifter.
Audi also casts A4 in luxury mode as the A4 3.0.
It's fired by a new aluminum-block 3.0-liter V6 that generates 220 hp at 6300 rpm and torque numbers of 221 lb-ft at 3200 rpm.
For A4 3.0 FrontTrak, the multitronic becomes the first V6 CVT available from a luxury brand.
A4 3.0 quattro gets either a new manual six-speed or the five-speed Tiptronic automatic.
All variations of A4 1.8T and A4 3.0 for model-year 2002 represent a second generation of designs for Audi's compact-class sedan.
The original A4 reached North America in 1996 as improvement for Audi's 90 sedan in a streamlined package with all the right ingredients aboard for hands-on driving. It came to America after a year on the market in Europe, where A4 captured all the automotive awards for its class.
It became a benchmark product for Audi and initiated the alphanumeric nomenclature used for all subsequent cars in the line. Variations followed with different powertrains, FrontTrak and quattro modes, the Avant wagon and a serious sports performer in the powerful S4 quattro.
Now, A4's new plan expands the structure of the car in all directions. Wheelbase stretches 1.3 inches longer and the overall package grows 2.3 inches in length, with 1.3 inches added to the width and half an inch more for height.
A larger structure produces a larger cabin, and A4 has boosted legroom front and rear, more space for elbows and heads, and a bigger trunk.
The platform supports a new four-wheel independent suspension system composed of lightweight aluminum elements.
In front, the four-link design with upper and lower control arms promotes agility but also manages to isolate road harshness and noise. In back, a sophisticated new self-tracking trapezoidal-link arrangement replaces a torsion beam axle. The compact design keeps back wheels planted squarely on pavement while striking the balance in ride quality between sporty agility and comfort.
Steering, through a rack and pinion mechanism with monoblock steering shafts, is quick and predictable.
Brakes, with a disc at each corner, rely on electronic and computerized links to tame the tires. Anti-lock controls are standard, along with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and Audi's electronic stabilization program (ESP) that stems lateral slippage and skidding.
Passive safety elements extend to dual air bags and side-impact air bags for front riders, side-curtain air bags above the four doors and optional side air bags for rear seats.
Exterior shapes for A4 look clean with curvy forms and uninterrupted lines patterned after Audi's low-cast TT sports coupe and the graceful A6 sedan. Everything's flush and fluid in the less-is-more mode and body-colored trim is favored over bright chrome.
Inside, bulbous shapes and rounded forms continue the exterior design, although not to the extremes of TT's cockpit. Strips of brushed aluminum form a beltline on doors and dash of the A4 1.8T, while A4 3.0 wears glossy hardwood accents.
Round analog instruments -- a large tachometer and speedometer and smaller gauges for oil temperature and fuel fill -- are defined by rings of tubular aluminum mounted in an arched and hooded panel.
At night all gauges glow from low-glare backlighting.
A driver information panel inscribed at the hub of the instrument cluster shows a five-function trip computer, fuel consumption figures and exterior temperature readout, with displays for radio, navigation and telematics. OnStar communication equipment -- with a hands-free wireless link to personnel at the OnStar Center and 24-hour availability for in-vehicle safety, security and information services -- is available on all models.
All A4 trim versions also contain noteworthy convenience features that translate to safety: Projector headlamps with concealed headlamp washers, foglamps fore and aft, heated windshield washer nozzles, an advanced anti-theft vehicle alarm system, cruise control, remote door locking and power windows with one-touch up-down for all.
A dual-zone automatic climate control system also goes into every A4, plus heated power rear mirrors.
Options cluster in packages: Safety and security, premium, communications, and deluxe audio with Bose sound.
National MSRP figures begin at $24,900 for the A4 1.8T, plus $575 for delivery.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2002 AUDI A4 Specs |
| Description: |
Compact luxury sedan
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| Model Options: |
Compact luxury sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
104.3 inches
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| Overall Length: |
179.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 1.8-L I4 T/I
DOHC 3.0-L V6
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| Transmission: |
I4 FrontTrak: Manual/5
CVT
I4 quattro: Manual/5
Auto/5 Tiptronic
V6 FrontTrak: CVT
V6 quattro: Manual/6
Auto/5 Tiptronic
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| Drive: |
FWD FrontTrak
AWD quattro
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/BA/
EBD/EDL/ASR/ESP
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
+ 4 (side curtain)
opt. 2 (rear)
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| Gas Mileage: |
FWD I4 M/5: 22/31 mpg
FWD I4 CVT: 20/29 mpg
AWD I4 M/5: 21/29 mpg
AWD I4 A/5: 19/28 mpg
FWD V6 CVT: 19/27 mpg
AWD V6 M/6: 18/25 mpg
AWD V6 A/5: 17/25 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 25,475 to $ 39,000 |
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