|
From YourSITE.com Reviews & Road Tests When you first look upon the new Audi A4, your attention is probably drawn to its most obvious change - the nose. Gone is the dual black grille and its replacement shield style inlet is reminiscent of the Porsche-designed Auto Union racecars or the 1930s. Look beyond the attention-grabbing snout, though, and you'll see Audi's design team has performed a plethora of operations, giving the Audi A8-driving doctors on the television show Nip Tuck a run for their money. Changes pervade the car's mechanicals and interior details as well, prompting us to take a closer look in the form of the new 2005 1/2 Audi A4 3.2 quattro.
Aside from the large gaping maw that might scare cell-phone gabbing commuters who are unlucky enough to find themselves on the car’s 12-o'clock in the HOV lane, one of the most significant changes to the new A4 is under the hood. Two new engines, the new spritely 2.0T and more luxurious 3.2 (as in our test car), have bumped power levels on all A4s by a healthy margin. Both use Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), developed through Audi’s highly successful R8 endurance racing campaigns, for better fuel economy as well as improved performance. FSI technology works through the process of injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber by utilizing a common rail high-pressure injection system – designs first used in raising power on Diesel engines. Such precision allows the engine to control the exact quantity of fuel and timing measured to the millisecond, while the two-stage variable intake manifold provides swirling air induction to create tremendously precise combustion. On our test car’s 3.2-liter V6, with resulting power of 255-horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 243 lbs. ft. at 3,350 rpm, is a marked improvement. Even better, 90-percent of the torque is available from as low as 1,900 rpm to 5,900 rpm, offering up one meaty powerband.
First sold in the new Audi A6, the engine’s use in the latest A4 provides impressive performance for those seeking a capable car right out of the gate. This time around, Audi has opted to drop the base manual transmission on the A4’s top-range powerplant to the chagrin of gearheads who might opt for the topmost A4. Front-wheel-drive A4s, referred to as FrontTrak in Audi speak, get only the company’s Multitronic continuously variable automatic transmission with 6 pre-programmed speeds in manual mode, while quattro owners get Audi’s new 6-speed Tiptronic as was the case with our test car.
With an additional ratio and improved shift times, the result is quite satisfying for a slushbox. Disappointingly, though our car did have sporting features like its 17-inch 5-spoke wheels, our specification didn’t include any sort of steering-wheel or column-mounted shift control buttons for the new Tiptronic. Driving cars with Tiptronic style automatic transmissions with manual mode often seems they go unused unless the shift is close at hand as with the butterfly paddle controls found in the RS6 and many European-model Audis. Here’s hoping those levers find their way onto the options list of the sportier “S-line” models due out next fall. Emitting a manly grunt like Tim Allen of the late “Home Improvement” sitcom, the enthusiast in us wishes our test car had a manual transmission mated to the potent 3.2, even though this newer transmission is the company’s best Tiptronic to date. For those hell-bent on rowing their own gears, we're told Audi plans availability with the 3.2-liter V6 sometime this fall as a 2006 model. This seems to make sense, as we're guessing most anyone who opts for the manual gearbox on the more luxurious V6 would probably opt for the more aggressive S-line package - also due this fall with S4 body work and 18-inch Audi wheels that appear to be basically a BBS CH design.
Walk around the A4 and you’ll notice the new corporate face isn’t the only change on the surface of the car. While the previous “B6” A4 sedan borrowed many design cues from the original TT concept design with its rounded rear and curvaceous taillights, its “B7” replacement pirates significant amounts of styling from the curvaceous Nuvolari Concept – including an out swept weight line that stretches front-to-rear along the car’s shoulders. We’d hoped for more use of LED technology at the rear as with the new A6 Avant, though we were aptly impressed by the A4’s directional Xenon lighting at the front. Slip inside and “B6” A4 owners will find a very familiar environment. Some have critiqued the new car for its virtually identical dashboard, though spending some time behind the wheel soon proved that there is a gratuitous number of noticeable and welcome changes.
At the top of that list would have to be Audi’s new Navigation Plus system with its 6.5-inch color display. Think of it as MMI-light, as this is certainly more than a simple Navigation head unit, including many more features than even the previous European Navigation systems of which Americans quietly pined for prior to the “B7”. The system is DVD-based, making the entire United States available with no need to change data discs as was necessary with the old CD-based system. Opt into the Navigation mode and when the map pops up, you’ll notice a new three-dimensional viewpoint as compared to the flat map found on previous systems - a feature that’s surprisingly more user friendly once used than one might expect. Much like MMI found in Audi’s Q-ship A8, the system controls functions like phone, optional XM or Sirius Satellite radio and even a new SD-card MP3 sourcing function. Our test car came with XM service, adding hundreds of channel choices in addition to the usual AM and FM suspects. Cooler still, the unit offers a list of 30 preset channels slots, allowing you to control placement on the list and sourcing channels from AM, FM and Satellite – put your local NPR channel or AM talk radio station next to CNN and Fox News or MTV and VH1 next to your local Top 40 stations on the list.
Rollers on the new 3-spoke sport steering wheel allow a driver to scroll from channel to channel with the simple movement of a thumb. We found ourselves using the lengthy preset list heavily, though with the Navigation system in operation, the rollers would revert to choices from the radio band of the current channel and not from our preset list which was active before going into Navigation mode. We’d prefer it stay in the band or the preset mode that had been chosen before going into Navigation, but that’s a minor complaint about a head-unit miles ahead of last year’s choices. Noting differences in operation of the wheel controls between our test A4 and a recent A6 test car, we suspect much of this can be controlled via the settings on the car. While those knowledgeable DIYers with access to a VAG-COM tool can probably figure it out, it seems the only other option would be to have your dealership change settings for you – something we don’t suspect many owners will take the time to do. It would be nice if features like this could be controlled via the little-used “Car” or “Setup” sections of the interface – much like Volvo’s limited setting choices configuration in the new S40. With the option of Navigation Plus, the 6-disc CD-changer moves to the glovebox as with previous European models that made use of similar systems. Cupholders, an important feature in America as much as purists would tell you otherwise, have been vastly improved in the new A4. One can likely attribute this directly to customer surveys such as those by J.D. Powers and Associates where Audi is determined to move up in rank. The previous single cupholder located above the stereo was precarious for all but a limited list of beverages one can buy, and any spillage often ended up frying some sort of electronica, be it the stereo or the wiring within the console near the shifter. The new dual cup setup can be found on the center console – one in direct view with the armrest down, and access to another when the armrest is moved to the up position. The design may not be as cleverly clean in design as the previous car, but its functionality more than makes up for that. We hit 7-eleven for the gratuitous Big Gulp test, and the holder held the behemoth beverage surprisingly well, allowing relatively spirited cornering that would have launched such a drink across the dashboard of the outgoing A4. Just aft of the cupholders, one will also find a secondary power outlet in addition to the ashtray-mounted car lighter outlet – a great plus and timely for our gadget-oriented era where cell phones, PDAs and iPods are must-haves. Seats don’t appear much more aggressive than previous A4s, though the lower cushion is improved, making for better long-term seating. Step into the car, slide into those seats and you’ll also step over some handsome new aluminum trim doorsills. A last welcome change is purely ornamental, but still appreciated. Those with more traditional tastes can opt for wood trim no matter what A4 you buy, while those who prefer the more tech-sport look can opt for aluminum. In previous cars, trim was dictated by engine and a V6 owner looking for aluminum was forced to find it on the used or aftermarket and have it installed.
With so much change for the good, there must always be a few quibbles and in the new A4, these primarily deal with the legal side of car ownership. First, every time you start the car, it is necessary to hit enter on the Navigation Plus head unit where a legal disclaimer is displayed. Second, if driver or passenger is not wearing a seatbelt, the car can be downright obnoxious. While we certainly condone seatbelt use at all times, a wife getting settled as you pull away from the Kiss & Ride or riding with a parent from the oldschool who doesn’t prescribe to belt use results in a buzzing cacophony of anger from the A4, creating a bit of a nuisance and the question of how PC today’s cars really need to be. We suspect both of those features can likely be defeated through setting changes by the dealer or at the hands of a VAG-COM tool owner, but would again prefer a relatively simple change of settings in some sort of setup menu, which would make the process much easier. Out on the road, some improvements that are largely invisible to the casual observer become quite obvious to anyone with experience driving previous A4s. According to Audi, extensive engineering time has been invested in elastokinematics and spring and shock settings. In layman’s terms, handling of the vehicle was a top priority.
From the S4 partsbin, Audi used stiffer track mounts at the front, hollow-section aluminum trapezoidal links, wheel carriers and various other mounts. Improved control-arm mounts were sourced from the new A6. The net result is a very tossable chassis. Handling is an excellent mix – a great feeling of firmness without being too harsh over poor roads. Precision and controllability in turns sees a large jump in improvement over the old car. On an undulating sweeper, a “B6” A4’s light steering called for a rigid hand on the wheel or the result was a wobbly-arcing turn. The S4-sourced hollow-section control arm absorbs much of the forces acting on the wheel, and combined with standard hydraulic steering with speed dependent power assistance known as Servotronic (another gift from the S4), the result is a night and day differences from previous cars. An extremely satisfying steering experience is something the new A4 boasts - something Audi hasn’t always been able to claim. Our red A4 3.2 quattro test vehicle is a great example of the Audi that many new to the brand might choose. It’s heavy on options, but not seriously sporty for the enthusiast in the context of those intimate with Audi – lacking manual transmission or “S-line” trim. As such, cars like our test-vehicle will be ambassadors for the brand and in that regard, and should serve Audi well. Even better, as an Audi enthusiast with an eye towards customization and performance, this particular car becomes quite compelling as it sits on the tarmac. The improved suspension and brakes leave little need for improvement except in the case of aesthetic needs or those who might actually see track time with the car.
Seeing the car daily and in person, the new design certainly grows on you – from the large gaping maw at the front to the controversial taillight design. We grew to love it as we looked at it more, and an increasingly endearing sentiment on Fourtitude.com’s own B7 A4 discussion forums leads us to believe we’re not the only ones. Further, daily use of Navigation Plus system, the torque-laden 3.2, the firm and satisfying suspension and yes, even the cupholders, makes the changes welcome and significant in our eyes. So is the new A4 stack up with its ample ample designed improvements. We believe so. Audi's engineers were successful enough with their own nip and tuck processes that they internally refer to the car with a whole new platform designation - now "B7" replacing the outgoing "B6" models. To stick with our TV references, the new A4 is more like the Six Million Dollar Man with his bionic improvements than some insecure kid on MTV wanting a Celebrity Face. The car's capabilities are far beyond its predecessor. Audi had the technology, they could rebuild it, albeit probably for more than six million dollars in development costs. Even better, the celebrity face of Auto Union seems to work well on the new A4.
© Copyright 2004 by YourSITE.com |
