2006 Audi A4 2.0T

To go with the new look, there are some eye-opening performance improvements. At the heart of the matter is the new 2.0T FSI motor. Featuring direct fuel injection, the turbocharged 2.0-liter not only puts out an impressive 200 horsepower, but also puts out its maximum torque of 207 lb.-ft. at just 1,800 rpm. That means an instantaneous surge just about any time you tap the gas. When we tested this powerplant in the new A3, it felt almost rocket-quick. With the slightly heavier A4, it is still impressively quick, feeling more than capable of doing battle with many competitor's 6-cylinder engines, but offering the fuel-sipping abilities of a smaller 4-cylinder.

Interior

Adding to the fun, our tester featured a smooth and quick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission and the Velcro-like grip of Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive. Handling is noticeably crisper for 2006 - Audi took many of the suspension and steering components from its S4 super sedan and bestowed them on the A4.


Our tester included the optional Sport Package, which gets you handsome 17-inch alloy wheels with performance tires and a sport suspension. Audis tend to provide a soft ride, so with the firmed-up suspension you get an ideal blend of performance and comfort. If you get overly enthusiastic, standard ESP stability control is there to help you out of a jam.


The interior is a perfect place to enjoy the A4's athletic moves. It starts with superb quality of materials and an understated, handsome design. Audi fans will feel right at home with the large gauges and familiar red LED readouts and lighting. Little details shine through; on the steering wheel, the remote controls for the audio system (on our tester, a sweet-sounding optional Bose system teamed with Sirius satellite radio) are small tumblers you roll underneath your fingers—much easier and more intuitive than the pushbutton/rocker switches you find on just about every other manufacturer's offering.


Nice improvements for '06 include a swath of aluminum trim that runs across the dash and surrounds the shifter, and brightens up the interior and a center console. And after too many tipsy-cup adventures to remember, we now have two honest-to-goodness cupholders in the center console that finally acknowledge that we Americans like our beverages large and securely located.