2010 Audi A4 Tiptronic Sedan

Mid-sized sport sedan sprints to the head of the pack

By Nina Russin

Audi A4 Tiptronic Sedan

Audis are to the automotive world what wide receivers are to football: solid as a rock, yet lightning fast. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the A4: a mid-sized sport sedan that competes against the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class.

Engineers imbued the two-liter, four-cylinder engine with exceptional throttle response, thanks to direct injection: a technology used throughout Audi’s model lineup. Unlike traditional port fuel systems, injectors deliver the gas directly into the cylinder, bypassing the valves. Doing so reduces the amount of unburned gas, enhancing fuel economy. Because the fuel vaporizes instantly, direct injection also improves throttle response.

The six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission includes a sport mode for more aggressive performance. The driver can manually select gears if he prefers.

Quattro all-wheel drive makes the wheels stick to the road like glue, whether driving through rain, snow, or on dry pavement.

Use of aluminum throughout the body and suspension gives the A4 the ‘light on its feet’ feel that I alluded to in the opening paragraph. Read the rest of this entry »