What they said when the Audi A4 was new… (Dec 24 2001)
THE sixth incarnation of the classic Audi A4 is the VW-owned company's best chance yet of taking the compact executive saloon crown from arch rival BMW.
Now with lightweight aluminium engines slipped into a finely crafted body and sitting on a sharp-handling chassis, it has everything going for it.
The new 2.0 litre engine we tested was eager, smooth and commendably quiet with abundant performance and surprisingly meagre consumption.
It was brisk through the gears and yet cruised effortlessly and quietly at the legal maximum and still had a lot in reserve.
The good spread of pulling power meant you did not have to keep working the gears as you might in some sporting saloons, but it managed to give a reasonable overall fuel consumption figure without a problem.
The silky gearchange was matched by the engine and steering and brakes which gave excellent feedback and precision.
All the secondary controls were close to hand and operated with an assured feel while the straightforward instruments were large, clear and directly infront of the driver.
Climate control was effective, backed up by the powered windows and the oddments room was reasonable throughout the cabin. The bootspace was good but the opening was itself on the small side if you had to put in larger items.
Occupants would have plenty of room with easy access and good sized, well adjusting seats.
Comfort was on the firm side but good nevertheless with most road shocks absorbed. But you could hear how hard the system was coping and the road rumble was ever present.
Handling was entirely safe and surefooted with an inbuilt tendency to run wide on tighter turns or when pressing on.
Good visibility with thin pillars, very bright lights and good wipers meant you made the most of the flowing power and it could be confidently edged up to objects.
Inside it was as cleanly practical as the simple exterior is deftly styled and this will have a strong appeal to the most fashionable of buyers.
Words: Robin Roberts
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