2008 Audi A4 Bottom Line

This review a compares the 2008 Audi A4 with other vehicles in its class to give you the best advice even when other reviews present conflicting opinions.

Likes:
- Still handsome
- Nicely detailed interior
- German ride and handling
- Available quattro
- Available rear-side airbags

Dislikes:
- Rear seats are snug
- Wagon (Avant) not too spacious
- Multi-Media Interface (MMI)

The 2008 Audi A4 has been a long-time favorite of editors from TheCarConnection.com. In Avant wagon and sedan body styles, the Audi A4 is a great performer wrapped in a practical package. The current generation of A4 was new in 2005, and a new version is due for the 2009 model year—just around the corner.

To keep up interest in the current A4, for Audi, 2008 is the year that the company makes the more aggressive S-package styling standard on the A4. The look is bolder, with different front and rear fascias. Most everything else is carryover, and that’s not a bad thing, since the 2008 Audi A4 is a tastefully designed sedan with one of the auto industry’s best interiors.

The two body styles of 2008 Audi A4 are available with either front-wheel or quattro all-wheel-drive. Power comes from a choice of four and six-cylinder engines. Standard is a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection in-line four that generates 200 horsepower; the optional 3.2-liter V-6 is borrowed from the larger A6 and likewise uses direct injection to produce 255 horses. The four-cylinder can be mated to either a six-speed manual or Multitronic continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission in the sedan version; the wagon and all V-6 models offer a choice of the six-speed manual or a conventional six-speed automatic gearbox. The V-6 sedans and wagon include a standard sunroof and all automatic-equipped A4s get F1-style shift paddles on the steering wheel.

© Source: thecarconnection
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2008 Audi A4 range

By October 2008, the Audi A4 range will be available with three TDI units and two petrol engines, with power ranging from 105kW to 195kW. Fuel consumption has been reduced by an average of 13 percent and six percent on the petrol and TDI units respectively.

Leading the A4 stable is the 3.2 FSI V6 quattro model developing 195kW and maximum torque of 330Nm all the way from 3000 to 5000 rpm, hitting 100km/h in 6.2 seconds. Compared with the previous 188kW unit, the revised 3.2 FSI engine returns impressive fuel economy, representing a 1.2L/100km improvement over the outgoing A4.

The smaller of the two petrol engines is the turbocharged 1.8 TFSI, which develops 115kW and 250Nm between 1500 and 4500rpm. Mated to the standard six-speed manual gearbox, the 1.8 TFSI model accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds - with a combined fuel consumption figure of just 7.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

With 176kW and impressive maximum torque of 500Nm at the driver’s disposal from 1500 to 3000 rpm, the 3.0 TDI quattro V6 model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 6.1 seconds - 0.1 seconds faster than the 3.2 FSI.

A more economical option with still plenty of torque is the 2.7 TDI V6 engine, with an output of 140kW and 400Nm - its fuel consumption is just 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres while still managing a brisk 7.7 second run to 100km/h.

However Audi can still do one better, with the ultra-efficient 2.0 TDI engine producing 105kW and maximum torque of 320Nm unlocked from 1750rpm, with range topping fuel economy standing at just 5.8L/100km.

Finally, Audi also offers the multitronic continuously variable transmission for the A4 1.8 TFSI, A4 2.0 TDI and A4 2.7 TDI; combining the advantages of a manual gearbox with those of a conventional automatic transmission for dynamic-acceleration and efficiency.

The A4 also comprises a host of luxury features including Audi Side Assist, Lane Assist, adaptive Cruise Control and a Bang & Olufsen stereo system combined with a TV receiver, two navigation systems, an iPod interface, Bluetooth telephone and acoustic parking system.

© Source: caradvice
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