Driving Impressions

The Audi A4 3.0 runs among the more powerful cars in its class with its aluminum 3.0-liter V6. It's rated 220 horsepower at 6300 rpm with 221 pounds-feet of torque. By comparison, the BMW 330i and Mercedes C320 make 225 horsepower, 214 pounds-feet of torque, and 215 horsepower, 221 pounds-feet, respectively. Audi remains the only luxury carmaker with advanced five-valve-per-cylinder technology across its product line, a setup that allows the engine to breathe freely. Both the A4 3.0 and A4 1.8T earn California's Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) certification. Like everything else about the A4 3.0, the V6 engine is very smooth. Press down on the throttle and power comes on linearly, evenly. It does not paste you to the back of the seat, but it delivers solid torque throughout the rev range. Variably phased intake and exhaust camshafts and variable-length intake runners optimize air/fuel delivery, boosting horsepower and maintaining 90 percent of peak torque from 2200-5200 rpm. So there's a deep well of power available whether you're winding up a country road or just cruising along. Jab the gas pedal in any situation, and the A4 responds immediately. With the six-speed manual, the A4 3.0 is a match for BMW's 330i, long the performance benchmark in this class. The six gear ratios are nicely matched if you want to shift frequently and really work the engine. Yet the V6 is flexible enough that you can shift less frequently, allowing the engine torque pull the car along. But only rarely will you fall into the passive mode at the wheel of an A4. More often than not you'll want to stretch it. The six-speed itself is a nice gearbox, though not the easiest to coordinate with the clutch for smoothness. An A4 3.0 quattro with the six-speed manual can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and can turn the standing quarter-mile in 15.2 seconds. That's comparable to the performance of a BMW 330i. If you prefer an automatic transmission, you have two options: an A4 quattro (all-wheel drive) with a more traditional five-speed Tiptronic automatic, or a front-drive A4 with Audi's Multitronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT was designed to handle the high torque load of the 3.0-liter V6. It's lighter than conventional automatics, has fewer moving parts, and theoretically fewer things to go wrong. And, theoretically speaking, it always provides the optimum ratio, at any engine speed, any vehicle speed. In terms of real-world performance, an A4 3.0 FronTrak with the CVT accelerates as quickly as an A4 3.0 Quattro with the six-speed, according to Audi, and gets about the same mileage as an A4 with a manual transmission. The CVT takes some getting used to, however. Its internal clutch can take a moment to engage and respond. To the driver, this can feel like sloppiness in the drivetrain. Depending on circumstances, you get rolling too slowly, or with a jerk, and working the throttle can require some practice. It's really a matter of getting used to the CVT's different behavior. Audi has programmed its CVT with six pre-defined ranges that act like gears. The CVT can be managed by a Tiptronic-style sequential selector, so drivers can operate it like a conventional automatic with a sport shifter. We recommend driving the CVT before buying it. Having said all that, it works great and is one of the best CVTs available. We can recommend the five-speed Tiptronic automatic for the A4 3.0 quattro with no caveats. Put it in Drive and leave it there. It offers responsive performance and communicates well with the V6. Fuel economy for the A4 3.0 Tiptronic (18/25 mpg EPA City/Highway) is comparable to that of the A4 3.0 six-speed manual (17/28). Enthusiast drivers can slide the Tiptronic shifter to the right and shift manually. Pull the handle back to downshift, push it forward to upshift. The automatic offers less acceleration performance when compared with either the CVT or manu

Final Word

Audi A4 combines high quality, thoughtful design, and invigorating performance at a compelling price. The A4 is one of the most respected cars in a class that includes some of the best cars in the world. It delivers good performance in a practical package. It offers amenities and safety features found in large luxury sedans at a much lower price of entry. And it offers the option of quattro all-wheel drive. There are at least 14 sedans in this class. Sales are strong yet the competition is brutal, and today's hot ticket can quickly become tomorrow's has-been. It's no fluke that the A4 has remained near the top in sales since its introduction seven years ago, and this latest-generation A4 is a much better car than its predecessor. The A4 3.0 is an outstanding small luxury sport sedan. The Avant wagon is a great choice for families of two or three and a dog, offering big cargo capacity and sport-sedan handling. Cabriolet models add the excitement of open-top driving at the expense of some practicality. The V8-powered S4 takes performance to a significantly higher level; while the A4 1.8T delivers the luxury and performance of a true European sports sedan at a price that puts it in reach of many new-car buyers. Anyone shopping this class should take a long look at Audi. In short, the Audi A4 is a well-balanced machine that will hold your interest. It's exciting enough to grab your attention in the short term and substantial enough to grow more attractive with time.