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2008 Audi A4
Date Published: 5/28/08

2008 Audi A4
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MSRP:
$28,900 - 81,900

Invoice:
$26,878 - 76,168

Class:
Premium Compact Car

CG Award: (What's This?)
2008 Audi A4
Expert Rating Summary
Category 2.0T sedan, manual Rating (See All
Ratings)
Premium Compact Car Average Rating
Acceleration 7 6.5
Fuel Economy 6 5.4
Ride Quality 7 5.5
Steering/Handling/Braking 7 7.3
Quietness 6 6.1
Controls 6 6.2
Details 8 7.3
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 7 6.9
Room/Comfort (rear) 4 3.7
Cargo Room 3 4.3
Value within Class 10 6.2
Total Score: 71 65.4
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
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2008 Audi A4 Review
The 2008 Audi A4 is largely unchanged, pending a redesign due in calendar 2008 as a 2009 model. New for 2008 is an RS 4 Cabriolet. Audi's top-selling car line features sedans, Avant wagons, and Cabriolet convertibles. All come in A4 and high-performance S4 trim. There's also a super-performance RS 4 sedan and convertible. A4 2.0T models have a turbocharged 200-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. A4 3.2 versions get a 255-hp 3.2-liter V6. S4s and RS 4 have 4.2-liter V8s with 340 and 420 hp, respectively. Audi's quattro all-wheel drive is standard on wagons, 3.2 Cabrio, S4, and RS 4. It's available for other models in place of front-wheel drive. Transmission choices, depending on model, are manual, automatic, and continuously variable automatic (CVT). Sporty S line packages include 18-inch wheels and a firmer, lowered suspension. S4s and RS 4 have unique trim and specific sport suspensions. Cabrios have a power fabric top with a heated glass rear window. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front side airbags, rear side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Cabrios come with front side airbags that protect the head and torso and rear support bars designed to pop up automatically in a rollover. A navigation system is optional and includes Audi's MMI control for audio, climate, and other functions.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Compact Cars are similar in size but more expensive than Compact Cars. Premium Compacts have more standard equipment and an upscale image when compared to Compact Cars.

Our Best Buys in the Premium Compact Car class are the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series. Our Recommended picks are the Audi A3 and Saab 9-3.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the Volvo C30.

News
The next generation of Audi's top seller is said to be a bit shorter than today's A4, though probably no lighter. Word is that engines will be repositioned several inches further back for better front/rear weight balance and thus sharper handling.

The next A4 will employ Audi's new "modular" platform engineering. This allows mixing different underskin structures and associated components to create niche models that don't necessarily fall within the usual categories. The first "modular" Audi will be a new model, the A5, expected in Europe about a year before the first redesigned A4s. A5 reportedly bows as a coupe sized close to Audi's midrange A6 sedans. A cloth-roof convertible will be added around 2010. Both will list at least two V6s, according to one source, but another mole thinks engines may also include Audi's 200-hp turbocharged 4-cyl and a 350-hp V8. Quattro all-wheel drive should be standard, as will Audi's S-Tronic 6-speed automated manual. Tipsters believe A5s will be ambitiously priced somewhat upstream of comparable BMW 3-Series and Mercedes CLK models.
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