Strangely, while on my watch, mileage was markedly better at higher-than-legal speeds than while playing it safe. I achieved 9.5 litres / 100km on the highway cruising at 110kmh, and 8.3L / 100km cruising at 130km/h- weird, if nothing else.

Paddle-shifted goodness
A six-speed manual gearbox is available, though the tester used an optional Tiptronic six-speed autobox featuring steering-wheel mounted shift paddles. It's not as instant and entertaining as Audi's S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission, but the Tiptronic is indeed smoother and less abrupt in slow traffic.

The A4 feels at ease in any circumstances - gala and snowstorms included.

Four wheel drive and four season operation
Quattro all wheel drive is standard on the A4 3.2, and works invisibly to maximize traction, performance and safety in any situation. Add adaptive headlights with washers, heated mirrors and a set of snow tires, and you'll find the A4 3.2 an ideal companion for any drive in any season- with a particular taste for snowstorms and icy roadways.

Electronic Stability Control is always on standby to issue electronic corrections to keep the A4 in line, and it can be completely deactivated as needed. Just hold the button down a few seconds, and it puts the electronic nanny to bed.

Safe and sound
Of course, if your careful driving and respect for safety fail to keep you out of a crash, you'll be happy to know that you and your passengers are protected by a full compliment of airbags and an advanced space-frame construction designed to effectively reduce crash-related passenger injuries.

S-Line at your fingertips
No matter the weather, the machine's sporty intentions are unmistakable on the open road. The ride is relatively laid-back and well isolated from nasty upsets in the pavement, though it delivers a tight and well-connected feeling during hard cornering. It's a nice melding of ride-quality and handling, though there is a dull heaviness to the steering on the highway at speed. This is likely to do with the engine being mounted so far ahead in the engine compartment.

This affects the A4's handling at its limit too, leaving it to do little else but understeer when pushed. It's a sharp and nimble machine, but driving enthusiasts will be happy to learn that the upcoming 2009 A4 has a revised powertrain layout allowing the engine to sit further back, which should reduce the exaggerated front-heavy feeling.

A feel all its own
The A4 is perhaps not as sharp and precise as a BMW 3-Series, but it is a more relaxing and less demanding car to drive. You'll likely find the Audi creates a more welcoming atmosphere too, putting on more of a show than the somewhat colder interior of a comparable BMW.

The A4 is due for heavy updates for the next model year, and it's going to even more stunning. A4 3.2 Quattro starts around $50,000.



Looks and performs like a champ, obvious quality throughout, comfortable and relatively economical when not driven hard



Rear seat is for kids only, children often struggle to open heavy doors



Fussy centre-console storage compartment


Photo Credit : Justin Pritchard