2002 Audi A4...Continued

The Multitronic is the only transmission available with the 3.0 V6 front wheel drive. The 3.0 V6 Quattro comes standard with a six speed manual transmission. The 1.8T and 3.0 V6 Quattros are available with the optional Tiptronic five speed automatic. In operation the Multitronic is a very good gearbox and the best yet of the CVTs. It is a very polished piece as is and one can only wonder how good it will get as improvements are introduced. It delivers better fuel mileage and better 0-60 performance than the available manual transmissions -- quite a feat. The Multitronic is smaller and lighter, but only available on the front wheel drive A4s at the moment. Audi is working on providing a power take off for Quattro versions of the A4.

The A4 is a blast to drive with either engine. The 1.8T is a 170 hp four cylinder that employs a lot of technology to provide a broad power band that makes driving fun. The 3.0 V6 offers more power than the 1.8T and a slightly bigger smile in use.

The sport suspension package, available throughout the lineup, includes 30% stiffer shocks and springs as well as larger stabilizer bars and high performance 235/45 - 17 tires and wheels.

The Quattro versions of the A4 provide a slightly different feel in spirited driving than their front wheel drive siblings. The Quattro equipped cars allow you to power out of corners just a bit sooner and of course the all wheel drive capabilities are very welcome in inclement weather.

The Audi A4's suspension provides great ride and handling characteristics. In both front wheel drive and Quattro models the rear suspension has been optimized for both handling and space efficiency. The sedans have a reasonable 13.4 cubic feet of luggage space.

The A4 comes with a high level of standard equipment, as you would expect in the entry-level luxury segment. Standard features like "One touch" power windows raise the bar for the other players. Dual zone automatic climate control, power door locks and fog lights are standard throughout the A4 line.

The standard audio system is exceptional. It has 150 watts of available power through 10 speakers from an in-dash 6 CD player, AM/FM radio and cassette. An optional premium Bose system is also available. The A4 is a very quiet car with exceptional noise isolation which makes the excellent audio systems that much more enjoyable.

Safety is heavily emphasized in the A4 line. Passive safety starts with passenger protection from the Audi's space frame construction. Intelligent sensors control the deployment of front airbags, side airbags (at all outboard seating positions) and Sideguard head protection airbags in the event of a significant collision.

Further Audi insists on building active safety into its vehicles. It strives to provide 'neutral' or balanced handling capabilities. Its latest version of Electronic Stabilization Program, standard throughout the A4 lineup, takes advantage of standard ABS brakes and traction control. New for this model year is "Brake Assist" that automatically increases braking force when the speed and position of brake pedal operation indicate an emergency braking situation.

Audi further protects your investment by offering one of the best warrantees in the business. A comprehensive 4-year/50,000 mile warranty covers the car from bumper to bumper and all regularly scheduled maintenance during the warranty period is performed at no charge.

Audi offers two high performance variants of the A4 the S4 sedan and S4 Avant station wagon. The S4 packs a twin turbocharged 2.7L 250 HP V6 into a tweaked A4 Quattro chassis to provide exceptional performance. In stock sedan racing the S4 has been so successful that the governing bodies have taken to adding additional weight to the car to keep the competition even.

To complete the lineup Audi recently introduced the A4 Cabriolet. A stunning four-place convertible offering the advantages of the A4 sedan in an open air two door package.