There's no denying it -- Audi's smallest sedan is growing up. Stretched nearly five inches overall, more than two inches wider, and on a six-inch-longer wheelbase than the previous generation, the 2009 A4 is sneaking up on A6 dimensions (its wheelbase is only 1.3 inches shorter). This also makes it the largest in its class, nearly three inches longer than the all-new C-Class and seven longer than the 3 Series sedan. But with that increase in length and width and a minor reduction in height (it's now lower by less than 0.1 inch), the new model has a planted, sportier stance and holds the road with a new sense of confidence and enthusiasm.
Its new underpinnings are shared with the upcoming S5 and A5 coupes, and an A4 Avant will go on sale in the U.S. at the same time as the sedan, but that wagon won't be unveiled for another couple months. (The S5 goes on sale in November 2007, A5 in early 2008, and A4/A4 Avant by late 2008-but Europe gets the A4 nearly a full year before we do.) Like the A5/S5, the new A4 has sculpted lines, a more aggressive front end, and a row of LED daytime running lights underlining each headlamp. Audi also shortened the front overhang, helping the car look sportier despite the increased size. Thanks to the liberal use of ultra-high-strength steel, the body weighs 10 percent less than last year's, yet is more rigid. But the side view is rather familiar-time will tell if this redesign was too conservative, especially compared with the aggressive lines of the new C-Class.
The interior also was completely redesigned, and the high-quality materials and clean, attractive design continue to live up to Audi's stellar reputation as the industry benchmark. Black leather seats and matching black door panels contrasted nicely with patterned brushed aluminum accents. The redesigned center stack is easy to use, and MMI is now a part of the A4's layout -- we've heard it will be standard with the 3.2, though navigation is said to be optional. The cabin is larger in every dimension, front and rear seats are more comfortable, and there's more rear-seat legroom than in the outgoing model. The trunk is significantly larger, too -- now 17.0 cubic feet, up from 13.4. The Euro-spec model we drove came with black leather seats and Alcantara inserts, but whether that option will come to America is yet to be determined. Regardless, leather will be standard and should come in a choice of colors. Stereo options will include a choice of Bang & Olufsen stereo systems, including the excellent 14-speaker setup we sampled, plus a six-disc CD changer and iPod connectivity. Also incorporated in the cabin are more safety features: six airbags will be standard and rear-side airbags optional.
When the A4 goes on sale here, it will initially be offered in quattro form only, with one engine and transmission -- a new 3.2-liter, 265-horsepower V-6 backed by a ZF six-speed automatic. A second engine will follow -- expect an all-new 2.0T four and a manual and/or DSG with quattro as an option. The direct-injection V-6 uses Audi's two-stage valve-lift system, which makes more efficient use of the engine to improve fuel economy by six percent. The V-6 is smooth and responsive off the line, but doesn't offer nearly the thrust of the 4.2-liter V-8. But the V-6 is by no means underpowered: the A4 gets to 62 mph in an estimated 6.2 seconds when backed by the manual, and the transmission's shifts are quick and easy to control with the steering-wheel-mounted paddles. And, through the reduced weight of the body, reduction in drag (down from a 0.31 Cd to approximately 0.29), and changes to the air conditioner (now 10 percent more powerful and the fuel consumption needed to run it has been reduced by 20 percent), fuel economy has improved.
In addition to the new engine, the transmission and quattro were dramatically revised for the new A4. Not only has a new emphasis been placed on the speed of the tiptronic's shifts, but the layout has been changed: As in the A5 and S5, the differential is now right behind the engine and ahead of the torque converter, which extends the wheelbase and helps improve weight distribution. Quattro uses a 40/60 torque split and a self-locking center differential. The new all-wheel-drive system controls traction better near the car's limits, reducing the need for the stability control hardware to intervene with braking.