2006 Audi A4 Sedan and Avant
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 8/2/2005
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TUCSON, Ariz. -- A traffic signal on Sunset Road in Tucson switches to green as we rack a six-speed stick down to first gear and stomp the throttle in the A4 2.0T, base trim for the next rendition of compact-class sedans from Audi of Germany.
The new four-in-line engine in A4, with turbocharger and intercooler plus Audi's remarkable FSI (fuel straight injection) technology applied, nixes the customary lag in timing for launch -- that annoying lull of a second or more after pushing the accelerator while the turbocharger spools up before spitting out boosted torque to turn the wheels.
As a result, this A4 leaps immediately off the line for a run up the gear ladder until we bump against the posted speed limit on Sunset Road.
It feels vigorous and quick, drawing on the full force of the engine's production of 200 hp peaking between 5100 and 6000 rpm plus 207 lb-ft of torque spread across a broad band from 1800 to 5000 rpm.
2.0T entry edition in the A4 series carries the 2.0-liter turbo FSI plant in front-wheel-drive (FWD) FrontTrak format with the manual six-speed transmission.
In addition, Audi offers a Multitronic continuously-variable transmission (CVT), which approaches the manual's fuel economy and quickness but delivers undetectable shift transitions through an electric clutch.
And to ensure tire traction even on wet pavement, A4 is also available with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that's always engaged.
The smart device, using a torsion-sensing center differential, automatically shifts the majority of all engine torque to whichever wheels, front or rear, attain the best bite of traction on slick pavement.
Another mechanism applies electronic locking to front and rear differentials in a process that can sense and block an individual wheel from spinning, then redistribute the driving torque from one side of the axle to the other.
Transmission for A4 2.0T Quattro is either the six-speed manual or Audi's six-speed electronic automatic paired with Porsche's Tiptronic sequential shifter.
New A4 also comes in luxury mode with V6 power as the A4 3.2 Quattro.
It's fired by an aluminum V6 that displaces 3.1 liters and wears dual overhead cams. The V6 hops with 255 hp at 6500 rpm plus a flat torque line peaking at 243 lb-ft at 3250 rpm.
That torque is translated through the six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual shift mode.
Every A4 stocks an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic braking assist (EBA), plus Audi's anti-slip regulation (ASR) throttle checker and electronic differential locking (EDL), which modulates engine torque on the front wheels to maximize tire grip.
All of these acronyms are included as control components of the electronic stabilization program (ESP) standard to each trim.
And the ESP adds a device to wipe each brake disc and keep it dry even on a wet road.
Every issue also packs substantial passive safety equipment including frontal and side-impact air bags for front seats and curtain-style air bags concealed in headliners above outboard side windows front and rear.
But Audi also casts A4 in the format of a station wagon under the Avant label, which in Audi lingo denotes the same.
The five-seat wagon appears strictly with AWD Quattro traction employing either four-cylinder or V6 powertrain under designations of A4 2.0T Avant and A4 3.2 Avant.
A4 in any variation represents the best-selling nameplate at Audi.
The series tracks back in time to Audi's original compact-class sedan of 1972.
Codenamed B1, it eventually reached the United States under the Fox label.
A4 landed in North America in 1996 as an improvement for Audi's 90 sedan in a streamlined package with all the right mechanical components aboard for serious hands-on driving. Coded as B5 to mark Audi's fifth-generation compact sedan, the A4 of 1996 became a benchmark product which initiated the alphanumeric nomenclature now used for all Audi sedans.
Variations followed with different powertrains, FrontTrak and Quattro modes, the Avant wagon and a serious sports performer with powerful S4 Quattro. And in 2002 the B6 generation of A4 brought an expanded structure with a larger cabin.
New A4 cars (tagged B7 as 2006 models) actually ride on the B6 platform but show bold new body styling, revised cabin appointments, a new four-link front suspension arrangement to improve handling traits and quicker performance numbers from the two new high-tech powertrains.
Theme for A4's exterior design is a fluidity of lines drawn in rectangular format but capped by an arching canopy over the cabin with low-slung windows and side pillars muted to create the impression of a sleek coupe.
Still, you can't miss the bold design of A4's prow with a dominating grille in trapezoidal format rimmed by chrome and scored with black horizontal fins.
Side panels are chiseled almost sheer for slab doors, although a character line notched low on each side seems to swing upward in swift movement toward the tail.
The blunted rump looks clean with wraparound fascia and twin tailpipes in chrome.
Now open any door and slip into a supportive seat that fits like a custom-built lounge chair.
Cabin layout is familiar with two sport buckets in front and a broad bench in back with indentions for two but room for three. Yet there's a high waistline to this scheme with super-clean and uncluttered styling for the dashboard and impressive textures and finishes applied, such as the band of shiny aluminum trim on dash and doors or options for genuine walnut and vavona wood inlays as well as leather upholstery.
Standard cabin equipment for all A4 models includes power controls for windows and door locks, a twin-zone climate system, a premium audio system with ten speakers and a six-disc CD changer.
Add-on gear ranges from a DVD-based navigation system to a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), adaptive lighting with swivel headlight units, bi-xenon high intensity discharge (HID) lamps and a sport package with tighter suspension tuning.
The MSRP on new A4 cars starts at $27,350 for a 2.0T FrontTrak sedan and $30,450 for the 2.0T Avant Quattro. Top model A4 3.2 Quattro comes to $35,400 in sedan style or $36,400 as the Avant.
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| 2006 AUDI A4 SEDAN AND AVANT VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact luxury sedan, Compact luxury station wagon |
| Model Options: |
Compact luxury sedan, Compact luxury station wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
Sedan: 104.3 inches, Wagon: 104.3 inches |
| Overall Length: |
180.6 inches, Wagon: 180.6 inches |
| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.0-L I4/FSI/T/I, DOHC 3.1-L V6/FSI |
| Transmission: |
I4 FrontTrak: Manual/6, CVT/6, I4 Quattro: Manual/6, Auto/6/Tiptronic, V6 Quattro: Auto/6/Tiptronic |
| Drive: |
FWD/FrontTrak, AWD/Quattro |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc, ABS/BA/EBD/EDL/ASR/ESP |
| Airbags: |
2 (front) 2 (side front), 4 (side curtain), opt. 2 (side rear) |
| Gas Mileage: |
FWD I4 M/6: 23/34 mpg, FWD I4 CVT: 24/32 mpg, AWD I4 M/6: 22/31 mpg, AWD I4 A/6: 22/30 mpg, AWD V6 A/6: 19/26 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
2.0T FWD M/6: $ 27,350 2.0T FWD CVT: $ 28,550 2.0T AWD A/6: $ 30,650 3.2 AWD A/6: $ 35,400 A4 Avant: 2.0T AWD M/6: $ 30,450 2.0T AWD A/6: $ 31,650 3.2 AWD A/6: $ 36,400 |
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