It’s always been a thrill to drive an Audi A4, but using the Triptonic automatic transmission - even with its ability to manually manipulate gear shifts - always limited maximum enjoyment of the superbly engineered midsize premium sedan. For 2006, a six-speed manual transmission became standard for A4 3.2 quattro sedans and wagons. The result pumps adrenaline and thrills higher than ever with Audi’s Fuel Straight Injection (FSI), V-6 engine controlling 255 horsepower.

Our testdrive was the A4 3.2 Quattro S-line with manual transmission. The short-throw gear shift floated smoothly from gear to gear, often reaching legal highway speed limits in fourth position with two more gears to be reserved for test tracks. Reaching 50 mph occurred in 4.7 seconds, somewhere between second and third gears. Audi revamped the A4 in 2002, and it now comes with a plethora of standard driving aids to assist driving enthusiasts - hydraulic rack-and pinion steering, Servotronic to minimize steering effort at lowest speeds and commit to straight-ahead behavior at higher speeds, electronic stabilization with yaw control, anti-lock brakes that can distribute extra pressure in emergency stops and quattro, Audi’s signature four-wheel drive.

Two new features are a brake disc wiping mechanism that keeps discs dry on wet roads and new shock absorber settings to provide better road feedback from the four-link front suspension and self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension. Handling is pure pleasure. Inside, ergonomically placed controls, similar to the cockpit of an airplane, plus high grade materials, won Audi A4/S4 “Auto Interior of the Year” in 2005 from Ward’s Magazine.

However the hand-operated emergency brake conflicts with the ratcheting center armrest. Front seat passengers will enjoy sliding storage drawers under their seats. Safety features are excellent with a “Double Best Pick” crash rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in both frontal and side impact crashes. High-strength steel panels make up 45% of the car’s body shell weight, helping to absorb the force of a frontal crash.

Our test drive had an S-line package that upgraded the sports suspension, added 18-inch wheels and thicker front grill to enhance an already aggressive and muscular profile, placed S-line badging inside and outside and added brushed aluminum trim. Daytime running lights are not automatic and bi-xenon swiveling headlights are optionial. Space is adequate with standard 60/ 40 split rear seats that expand a 13.4 cubic foot trunk with tie-downs.