Long-term test drive: 2008 Audi A4 2.0T
3-day long-term test drive: 2008 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro Progressiv sedan
Price as tested: CDN$42150
Total mileage through the test: 500km
Just like its arch-rival BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4 has always been regarded as one of the crown jewels in the luxury sports sedan category. As a farewell to the outgoing 8E platform, we decided to put one final test drive through its paces.
With the facelifted B7. Audi has replaced its 180hp 1.8T to 200hp 2.0T in 2006, along with suspension and interior upgrades. Our test drive is a 2.0T with Tiptronic and Quattro AWD system. While this 200hp and 207 lb/ft of torque engine have served exceptionally well with its FWD Multitronic silibing, we found Tiptronic a lazy relation to this great powertrain. Put it in “D”, the response to upshift and downshift are sluggish. “S” or Sport mode has improved although its still far from the crispness of a DSG or efficiency of a CVT. We hope the new Tiptronic, which have a new software that consists of 600 fuzzy logic programs, in the upcoming new A4, would serve this shortcoming. As for fuel economy, its at a respectable 12.5 liters per 100km given its heft of AWD and slowness of Tiptronic.
Handling is as good as ever. The 50/50 Torsen Quattro remains one of the most sophiscated AWD systems in the world. The 40/60 rear-bias system in the new model should make it even more fun-to-drive, especially given the new engine placement. Steering is light and precise with good feedback. The ride quality is world-class. Body rolls are well-controlled even with the standard suspension on our tester.
Even at the end of its lifecycle, A4′s interior materials and fit-and-finish remain the gold standards for others to judge. There are plenty of soft-touch plastic materials in the cabin. A4′s biggest shortfall, rear legroom, will be addressed with the next car’s larger dimensions.
This Progressiv model marks the farewell to the chassis that has served Audi’s bread-and-butter car exceptionally well in the last 7 years. How will the new chassis measures up to the wonderful new C-Class and excellent 3-Series? We will find out in the future full-blown test drive soon. 
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.