2008 Audi A4

Audi is a company which has come a long way from the public-relations nightmares they had in the 1980’s, when a few of their vehicles suffered from safety concerns such as sticking gas pedals. These issues lowered consumer trust in the company, and a series of quality problems in the early to mid-90’s didn’t help bolster anyone’s opinion of their vehicles. However, a complete re-design and refocus of each of the company’s product lines combined with the release of several halo cars like the TT and the revamped S-line went a long way towards reclaiming a sizeable share of the German luxury market.

The A4, Audi’s entry-level vehicle designed to compete against the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes C-Class, has slowly been climbing towards the top of the heap over the last 5 years. With Mercedes suffering from reliability issues and BMW alienating long time buyers with controversial styling, Audi was poised to capture a great number of dissatisfied customers looking for something new. The 2008 A4 was redesigned in an attempt to put the vehicle on an even sportier footing, while retaining the classy looks and gorgeous interiors that have been Audi’s hallmark.

From the outside, it is clear to see the changes that were made in order to help add a performance sheen to the A4. The wheels have been moved to the very edge of the body at both front and back, making for very short overhangs and better balance. Space was made for the front axle by moving the clutch and the differential. Even though the vehicle is actually longer and wider than the previous design, the body itself manages to weight a substantial amount less. By building the body out of higher grades of steel than are usually employed in automotive construction, the panels remain lightweight while preserving their strength. This weight savings is also translated into a lighter chassis and suspension system through the extensive use of aluminum components.

Audi offers the choice of 5 different engine combinations to slip under the hood of the A4. The most powerful of these is the 3.2 liter V6. Using direct fuel injection, as with all available A4 engines, the 3.2 makes 265 horsepower along with a healthy 243 lb-feet of torque. This allows the 2008 Audi A4 to sprint to 60 miles per hour in 6.2 seconds. With an automatic transmission instead of the 6-speed manual, times are slightly slower. Replacing the 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder as the base engine in the A4 is a 1.8 liter turbo generating 180 horsepower and peak torque of 184 lb-feet at a low 1500 rpm. Turbo Audi engines are famous for their easy tuning, making them a popular option for the younger crowd, who enjoying pushing these motors to their absolute limit. Of course, no matter which engine is optioned, all A4’s are available with Quattro all-wheel drive and an adjustable suspension system that can either adapt to driving conditions or respond to firmness settings on the part of the driver.

Of course, the interior of the car is appointed to the level that most buyers have come to expect from Audi. A multimedia system is controlled through a 6.5 inch screen on the dash, and a 6 CD changer is also available, as are inputs for MP3 players. Control surfaces are well laid out and the seats are wrapped in upscale leather. There are also a few toys aside from the navigation and entertainment system for drivers to play with. Audi’s lane assist feature uses small cameras mounted on the front bumpers and notifies the driver if her or she strays from between the painted lines. A radar system also keeps a lookout for objects approaching from the rear blind spot and lights an indicator on the appropriate side mirror.







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June 2, 2008, 7:17 am