Avant Brings Style, Versatility to New A4 Line

IBIZA, Spain – A stigma to some, haute couture to others.

That’s the nature of the station wagon, which for many Americans dredges up images of ‘60s-era family road trips in overcrowded and less-than-cool, wood-paneled land-barges, while Europeans see only high style and versatility.

Too bad for the U.S.’s sedan-fixated majority, because Audi’s new A4 Avant is eye-catching, highly functional and a pleasure to drive no matter which of the many available powertrain combinations you choose.

The Avant is the second in the line of new A4s, which debuted in Europe in sedan form in November and already has seen sales reach 60,000 units. It hits the European market later this month starting at €30,600 ($48,140), though a less expensive 1.8L gasoline model will arrive at the end of the year, starting at €27,550 ($43,351).

Both the new A4 sedan and Avant are slated to reach the U.S. and Canada in late September as ’09 models. Prices will be announced closer to launch, but Audi says stickers will rise only slightly from current levels ($28,000-$38,000).

Although expected to comprise only about 10% of A4 sales in the U.S., or 4,000 units, the new Avant gives the sedan a run for its money in many European countries.

Avant to account for 10% of U.S. A4 sales.<link rel=

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Overall, the wagon accounts for 40% of A4 sales in Europe, but in several markets, such as Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy, penetration can reach as high as 80%, say Audi officials on hand here for the car’s international media launch.

At 185.2 ins. (470.3 cm), the new Avant is nearly 4.7 ins. (12 cm) longer than its predecessor, yet body weight has been cut 10% through the increased use of lightweight steels and by substituting adhesives for welds during construction.

Fuel economy also has been improved 10% overall, Audi says, with the Avant boasting a wide range of powertrains that includes five gasoline and five diesel engines – all with direct injection.

The gasoline lineup starts with the 120-hp and 160-hp 1.8L TFSI 4-cyl., ratchets up to the all-new 2.0L available in 180-hp and 211-hp variants and tops out with the 265-hp 3.2L V-6 offered on all-wheel-drive quattro models.

The diesel roster includes three versions of the 2.0L 4-cyl. – 120, 143 and 170 hp – and two V-6s, a 190-hp 2.7L and 240-hp 3.0L (which will come to the U.S. next year in the Q7).

An all-new 6-speed manual transmission can be had with any of the 10 engines. A 6-speed tiptronic automatic with sport and manual-shift modes is offered with quattro models, while an 8-speed multitronic transmission can be mated up with some of the 4-cyl. engines.

In the U.S., the powertrain lineup is greatly pared. No diesels will be offered. Base sedan models will come with the 2.0L coupled to either the 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, with all-wheel-drive models featuring the 3.2L with the automatic.

The Avant will be sold only with quattro and the 3.2L/6-speed automatic combination. U.S. buyers won’t get more powertrain choices unless Avant demand seriously exceeds planning, Audi says.

The Avant stands out here among the scraggly landscape of Ibiza. Its taught body lines widen out at the base, giving the car a muscular road stance. And the wagon’s sloping roof line with the top-mounted integrated spoiler suggests more stylish coupe-like characteristics that are becoming as much of a signature design feature for Audi as the brand’s imposing trapezoidal grille.

Optional xenon headlamps incorporate a necklace of light-emitting-diodes, a feature that has worked its way into the A4 from the more expensive R8 and S5. It gives the car a distinctive face to present to opposing rearview mirrors at night.

Inside, the Avant is all Audi, with its familiar instrument panel, MMI-based operating system and, depending on which of three trims is selected, either techy-type fabrics and aluminum accents or leather seats coupled with a wood-aluminum blend.

The Avant comes with an innovative panoramic roof that opens over the front seats. Because the glass panel retracts upward and back, the sunroof eats up much less headroom than is typical.

Of course, the strength of any wagon is its cargo-carrying ability. Audi claims a best in class with its 50.5 cu.-ft. (1,430 L) of space with both the split rear seats folded down.

But the highlight of the cargo bay may be its simple, yet innovative reversible floor that provides a hard plastic washable surface for transporting wet or mud-covered items and its system of bars, straps and lockdown rails that help secure loose objects. The power tailgate is infinitely programmable, allowing the opening height to be adjusted to accommodate a low clearance overhead.

The Avant comes packed with a long list of high-tech features, including a full complement of airbags; adaptive seatbelt force limiters; antilock brakes; electronic stability control; parking assistance; lane-departure warning and lane-change assist and adaptive cruise control.

Audi has tweaked its quattro system, sending 60% of the power to the rear wheels under normal driving for better handling. It also moved the 5-link front suspension forward a bit from where it is positioned in the sedan for more even distribution of axle loads and improved precision.

The A4 Avant marks the first application of Audi’s dynamic steering. When the car is at its cornering limits, it will dial in small steering maneuvers to help stabilize the car.

Audi’s drive select is available with either the dynamic steering or shock absorber control options and integrates throttle response, power-steering assistance and transmission shift points. Drivers can choose from comfort, automatic and dynamic settings.

Options include a navigation system, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and Bluetooth technology that works with the car’s MMI system.

On the road, the first thing you notice about the A4 Avant is how good the NVH is, particularly for a wagon. There’s none of the noise that typically emanates from having a wide-open cargo bay.

It doesn’t really matter what model or powertrain is chosen, the Avant performs with aplomb whether it’s the base car with the 1.8L gasoline engine and slick-shifting manual or the full out quattro version with the 3.2L.

The diesels are superb and – all things being equal – would go over well in the U.S., given their smooth, quiet operation and gobs of torque. For example, the 2.7L diesel and 8-speed automatic combination provides all the power needed and the shifts are imperceptible during a test drive through the island’s twisting roads and changing elevations.

If there’s a complaint it’s with the steering, which is a bit skittish, making it a tad more difficult to find a rhythm with the road.

But it’s only a minor annoyance. And for Americans looking to step out of their SUVs and into something more fuel efficient but still highly versatile – and, yes, more stylish, the A4 Avant could be the answer.

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