Audi A4 1.8T
Ain't Misbehavin' |
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By Richard J. Newman
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NITS: The cupholder closest to the driver is on the passenger side of the front console. When a friend rode with me, I kept feeling I should apologize for drinking his soda.
G-FORCES: The turbocharged 1.8-liter engine churns out 170 horsepower and is swift enough. The A4's sleek styling leads you to expect a little more, though. The 3.0-liter version boosts output to 220 horsepower. But the more muscular engine is not an option on the 1.8.
GIZMOLOGY: The A4's interior is its most beguiling attribute. Features that recess or fold into the molding, such as the cupholders, the cigarette lighter, and a change box, reveal thoughtful styling. The gauges are large and clean, and the dials for the sunroof and the heated seats are more pleasing than conventional rocker switches.
KID MARKS: Plenty of room in front seems to come at the expense of room in the back; kids in car seats will leave firm footprints on the seatbacks. The trunk is spacious, though.
HOT OR NOT? Hot. Curvy and cute, even if it looks like it could loosen up a little.
MILEAGE: I averaged about 23 mpg, mostly highway driving.
PRICE POINTS: Base prices range from $25,475 for the 1.8T to $33,715 for the 3.0-liter model. Price as tested: $29,950. (All prices include delivery fees.)
MORE INFO: http://www.audiusa.com/
family_home/0,,familyId-1,00.html
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Model year tested: 2002
When you hammer the gas in the A4, there's a brief delay and then you get a nice spurt of acceleration. Same with the steering. There's a little play in the wheel when you corner; then the sporty sedan bites into the pavement. The A4 takes to the road the way a debutante enters a party: There's a period of deferential reserve before it warms to the scene.
You want the A4 to get up and boogie. Its shapely design suggests performance, and its curves resemble those of the more exotic Audi TT roadster. The cockpit grips you snugly, as if preparing the driver for some serious throttling. But the A4's head wins out over its heart, at least in the entry-level 1.8T model. It provides a refined ride that is spirited at times, but this car is too prim to let its hair down.
The "Tiptronic" shifter that comes with the optional 5-speed automatic transmission reflects the A4's button-down soul. I was skeptical when I first pushed the gear selector out of conventional drive and over into clutchless shift mode, expecting a lazy driver's version of a stick shift. There is some of that. Moving through the Tiptronic's six gears requires nothing more than an effortless flick of the wrist. And in case you forget, the transmission downshifts for you when you slow down or stop. But there was some functionality on top of the faux racing schtick. The Tiptronic shifts gears the instant you tap the stick forward, without the delay there would be with a clutch. It will keep the transmission in any gear you choose, if you feel you need the power, while providing a broader range of choice than a typical automatic transmission.
But for regular driving, why bother? The Tiptronic got boring after awhile, especially since it didn't serve much of a purpose. And it began to seem like an innovation designed to enhance the A4's image as a road car more than the actual driving experience. There's a lot of that identify confusion going on in the A4, which strives to fulfill the luxury and performance expectations that come with the Audi brand while staying squarely under $30,000 at the low end. A leatherette interior is standard, for instance, but the same trim level doesn't include power seats. There's both luxury and performance in the A4, but not quite enough of either.
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