Surprisingly, all of this new found handling prowess doesn't affect the new A4 Avant's ride. Bad pavement is easily absorbed, but keep in mind, I didn't have the sports suspension on my car.

2006 Audi A4 2.0 T Avant (photo: John Cooke - www.straight-six.com)

Audi's ergonomically excellent interiors and Quattro have made their cars very easy to use on a daily basis, all year round. Despite the added athleticism, the 2006 A4 Avant still falls short as a driver's tool compared to a 3 Series Touring. The A4 2.0 T Avant's extra weight and smaller displacing engine are to blame here.

However, with the new improvements in areas that car zealots should appreciate, what the 2006 A4 2.0 T Avant does achieve is to keep new AWD sport wagon threats like the Subaru Legacy GT Wagon ($37,495) or Volvo's V70 2.5 T AWD ($45,620) at bay and off the radar.

- John LeBlanc is an automotive critic and publisher of www.straight-six.com


2006 Audi A4 2.0 T Avant

Vehicle type: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 5-door wagon

Base price: $42,200

Options: Headlight washers ($210), Cold Weather package ($500), 17" Alloy with all season tires ($800), Lighting Package ($2100), Premium Package ($2350), Air-tax ($100), Freight ($700)

Price as tested: $50,300

Warranty: 4 years/80,000 kms, including scheduled maintenance

Engine: Turbocharged and intercooled 1984cc straight-four, double overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, iron block and aluminum heads, 197-hp @ 5,100 rpm, 207 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic Tiptronic, 6-speed manual standard

4-wheel-drive system: Full time with limited-slip center differential and automatically locking front and rear differentials

Suspension: Front: 2 diagonal links and 2 lateral links per side, coil springs, anti-roll bar; Rear: 1 lower control arm, 1 lateral link, and 1 toe-control link per side; coil springs; anti-roll bar

Brakes: Hydraulic with vacuum power assist and anti-lock control. Front: vented disc. Rear: disc

Wheel size/type: 7.0 x 17 in/cast aluminum

Tires: 235/45R-17 all season

Wheelbase: 2,525 mm (99.4 in)

Length: 4,587 mm (180.6 in)

Width: 1,773 mm (69.8 in)

Height: 1,427 mm (56.2 in)

Curb weight: 1,635 kg (3,605 lb)

Horsepower per kilogram: 8.29 hp

Fuel capacity: 63L (13.86 gal)

Fuel consumption: City: 10.7L/100 kms (22 mpg); Highway: 7.6L/100 kms (31 mpg)

Fuel type: Premium gasoline recommended


Photo Credit : John Cooke - www.straight-six.com