This is certainly a handsome execution of the 2012 Audi A4, and the manual gearbox makes it come alive for enthusiast pursuits. I love this bright red color, which was absolutely gleaming when I grabbed the keys and headed out after work. I like the simple elegance of the A4’s design. It’s balanced, sleek and done in a smart fashion. I love these headlights, too. Seeing the reflection of the outlines in vehicles in front of you is arresting.
I like the interior, which is laid out well and has nice trim and materials for the most part. The colors in this one were a bit mundane, though, and some of the materials seemed just OK, though not offensive.
The six-speed is an interactive driver’s best friend; invigorating a good-sized sedan and making it feel almost spry. The chassis is sporty yet comfy most of the time (only the most severe of bumps is unsettling), and the steering returns just enough feedback to allow the operator to know what’s going on.
The engine is just strong enough to make this car feel reasonably quick, which is helped by the manual gearbox as much as anything. Nice turbo, though, in any respect.
I like this car. It’s worth considering for sporty-seeking upscale buyers.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: What a great little sedan, with sufficient power and ample sportiness, along with an upscale luxury feel and solid build quality. I like the car with all-wheel-drive (versus FWD) because it really adds a “tied-down” feel, with zero torque steer and seemingly endless traction on launches and in cornering.
There’s a touch of turbo lag on takeoff, but once the boost hits home, power is smooth and strong across the rev range. The manual transmission adds control and fun, but I’d like a little sharper shift linkage to match the rest of the powertrain. There’s just a little more slop there than I would’ve expected. The clutch takeup is nicely weighted and perfect.
Enough has been said about Audi interiors, so I won’t dwell on that near-perfection, other than to say that I like the little bit of padding they’ve added on the center console where the driver’s knee rests. It’s a small touch that adds comfort.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: After I drove the BMW 335i, I said that 300 hp was just the right amount for a sports sedan. This turbocharged Audi made me think that 211 hp might be enough when executed properly.
This car has no trouble launching off the line, as long as you over-rev it a bit. Entering and passing on the freeway was a breeze, and the brakes brought everything to a halt nicely.
I like the six-speed gearboxes in these Audis. They have a good-sized shift knob and no flex as far as I can feel. It gives me good memories of our old S4 long-termer.
Audis in red always seem to look good--actually, Audis seem to always look good. I would like them to go back to the one-hole grille, instead of the split styling. Other than that, I have no complaints on the exterior.
A price less than $40,000 is acceptable for a luxury sedan. Personally, I would spend more on the sport and less on the luxury, but that’s just me. The base BMW 3-series is $35,795 and the base Mercedes-Benz C-class is $35,675, so they’re all very close.
SENIOR MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: My only “gripe” with the Audi A4 at the moment (and the A5, too) is the fact that you don’t have an engine choice. You either get this 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 or you have to get your loan officer to step up with the bucks for the S4/S5. Or you pay cash--but you’re still left with no option between the two powerplants.
The upshot is that this engine is always a popular choice, thanks to its smoothness of operation and reasonable efficiency. It pushes, not punches, the A4 down the road with competence. But the chassis and quattro AWD are good enough to handle more muscle, which would make this an even more appealing package to enthusiast drivers.
For everyone else for whom 211 hp is plenty, the A4 remains a comfortable and calming environment for driver and passenger alike. The seats are above-average comfortable, while everything a driver needs to, er, drive--steering wheel, pedals, shifter--feels solid but not overly weighted. Driving this Audi does not induce fatigue upon its occupants, as the interior coddles them while the suspension’s nicely reactive character does not come with the price of poor ride quality.
I do agree with Bob about the shifter, which I too would like to see tightened up a small amount. I kept looking for the “dynamic mode” button found on the S4 so I could add a little bit of weight to the steering, especially at relatively high speed. But most A4 buyers won’t ever notice either of these small annoyances.
Base Price: $34,175
As-Tested Price: $39,775
Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; FWD, six-speed manual
Output: 211 hp @ 4,300 rpm, 258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,616 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 25/24.4 mpg
Options: Premium Plus package including 18-inch wheels, auto-dimming interior mirror with compass and auto-dimming heated exterior mirrors; Convenience package with driver-information system, trip computer and heated front seats with driver memory; S line exterior package including split-folding rear seatback, xenon plus front lighting with LED daytime running lights and three-zone climate control ($4,300); Sport package including front sport seats, four-way power lumbar, three-spoke steering wheel, sport suspension ($750); Audi advanced key ($550)
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120808/carreviews/120809870#ixzz2CepJz4R5
