Audi continues to find ways to improve is A4 line-up, making the wheelbase longer, increasing knee and headroom, upgrading climate controls, redesigning the suspension system and improving fuel efficiency for 2009. One of the most popular luxury vehicles sold in Europe, the A4 previously won a top safety award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and “Best Buy” from Consumer Report magazine for its overall performance, construction and materials.  The changes for 2009 make the A4 a shoo-in to duplicate those awards.

First and foremost for those who look at driving as an experience and not a daily chore, the A4 3.2 sedan Quattro Triptonic, our test-drive, handles so smoothly and quickly sitting behind the wheel is a sensuous pleasure. Acceleration is quick and solid with excellent on-line tracking, yet capable of tight turns with a light touch on the steering wheel – quite an engineering feat.

This year’s makeover shed 140 pounds but at the same time made the body stiffer, safer and quieter than its predecessor by using new high-tech materials. While extending the wheelbase 4.5 inches, the front overhang was shortened and the vehicle’s weight more evenly distributed over both axles – greatly aiding handling and torque for the all-wheel drive (Quattro) sedan.

The 3.2-liter direct fuel injection engine generates 243 ft-lbs of torque that achieves 60 mph in just over six seconds. The 265 horsepower allowed Audi to put 180 mph on the speedometer but then the top end was capped at 130 mph for the United States market. Classified as a premium mid-size vehicle, the A4 also comes with a smaller engine as a sedan, as a convertible (Cabriolet) or cross-over wagon (Avant). The S4 is the high performance version of the A4s. Brakes are better than average, antidote to the A4’s quickness. Inside, the fit and finish remains luxurious - leather seats, textured cloth ceiling liner, ergonomically perfect audio and temperature controls, glowing red dashboard gauges, information panels and genuine wood trim.

Outside, the parking lights look like cats’ eyebrows. Storage spaces abound and the trunk was expanded to be larger than competitors, like the BMW 3 series or the Mercedes B and C class.  A 6.5-inch color dashboard monitor is standard. The remote entry key stores information for use in maintenance and service.

The redesigned suspension keeps the A4 stable beyond normal driving expectations, helped by the subframe chassis for the engine and front suspension and electronically controlled shock absorbers. Audi’s standard features are often add-on options in other brands. However, Audi also offers several upgrade options.