First Drive: 2009 Audi A4

[guitarlix]

The powertrain and handling are a little dissapointing but I'd pick this car over its other German rivals for the first rate interior.





Measuring Greatness

Rupert Stadler, Audi's chairman, promises us that the company is embracing dynamics and performance as its core values. No doubt we'll all be talking about the A4 for months to come as we discuss whether the new car lives up to this promise.

Audi has spent three years and $1 billion to reinvent the platform of the 2009 Audi A4. We're not yet sure whether it will lift Audi to new heights in its market segment, but we certainly came away from our drive in Sardinia looking forward to a real opportunity to measure its goodness.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...topanel..1.*#4

[Chaz_23]

Audis are starting to look the way BMWs ought to look.

[FordFan]

That looks like a BMW inside and out.... Did I mention that the interior was designed badly?

[iamwin]

Why is it that the interior layouts of VW is better than Audi? I just don't get it.

[91 s-10baja]

First rate interior indeed! After having my hands in many german cars, Audi's by far are the ones to beat, regarding fit, finish, and overall 'pleasingness' to the eyes!!

[Quickening]

Can't stand their interiors...

And putting pretty eyes on the car won't make me stop looking at the bland side.

Audi does the same stuff everytimeeeeeeeeee.

[Ach]

Why is the handling disappointing? Edmunds seemed very enthusiastic about the way the car handled. Looks great, but the rear end is a blatant knockoff of the E90-especially the way the cut line angles up from the rear wheels and also the tail light design.

But powertrains are a concern-both the 4 and the 6 are way underpowered (the turbo four makes only 10 hp more than a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder Accord). They should go with a new twin turbo V6, the now-discontinued 2.7T was a gem.

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by Quickening

Can't stand their interiors...

And putting pretty eyes on the car won't make me stop looking at the bland side.

Audi does the same stuff everytimeeeeeeeeee.

I can't believe you just said that.

Yes, the interior designs are staid and don't come across well in photos. but in person, the quality is absolutely superb - all the knobs, buttons, switches operate with precision and fantastic feel. And the various surfaces, materials, instruments, gauges etc. are all just first rate.

Overall, an industry standard as far as interior quality is concerned.

[big swede]

The only concern I ever have with Audi is the weight of there cars has gotten out of hand. The new A4 has gotten much larger so I'm sure it's also much heavier. I think this A4 is built on the same platform as the A5 coupe which is quite a bit larger than previous A4's. Is Audi going to continue with the A6?

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by Ach

Why is the handling disappointing? Edmunds seemed very enthusiastic about the way the car handled. Looks great, but the rear end is a blatant knockoff of the E90-especially the way the cut line angles up from the rear wheels and also the tail light design.

But powertrains are a concern-both the 4 and the 6 are way underpowered (the turbo four makes only 10 hp more than a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder Accord). They should go with a new twin turbo V6, the now-discontinued 2.7T was a gem.

US dosnent get the 1.8T, and I thought the 2.0 is getting upped to 220hp?

[big swede]

Originally Posted by Ach

But powertrains are a concern-both the 4 and the 6 are way underpowered (the turbo four makes only 10 hp more than a naturally aspirated 4-cylinder Accord). They should go with a new twin turbo V6, the now-discontinued 2.7T was a gem.

You can't really compare peak hp numbers with real world driving experiences. Audi uses a very small turbo which doesn't make for great peak hp numbers but you get tons of torque at very low rpms which makes for a much better driving experience.

I do agree that they should be getting more peak along with keeping the nice low-end grunt.

[AndrewGS]

I was just looking at this car the other day on the German site. I don't like the body creases down the sides because every new car seems to have them and they don't usually fit the rest of the car's lines, as is the case here. You can't beat the interior quality of an Audi, and this car's interior has the new Audi look which I think is fine, but I prefer the B7's. It would be really nice if they offered the 2.7L and 3.0L TDIs here.

With the exchange rates a nicely-equipped B8 A4 will run about the same as a comparable CTS. I'd take the CTS.

[big swede]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

I don't like the body creases down the sides because every new car seems to have them and they don't usually fit the rest of the car's lines, as is the case here.

With the exchange rates a nicely-equipped B8 A4 will run about the same as a comparable CTS. I'd take the CTS.

I think body creases are the new fender vents, every new car has them including the CTS.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by big swede

I think body creases are the new fender vents, every new car has them including the CTS.

It actually works on the CTS because it compliments the car's smooth lines, much like the new C-Class, whereas the A4, Accord, G35 and Lancer have creases that draw attention from the flow of the car. I also hate tacked-on fender vents, like on on the '08 STS, but I like the scupted vents on the CTS.