First off, as always:
Great article, Jeff! Lucky boy, getting flown out to Italy to drive Audis. Tough world you live in.
The good news is that yes, it certainly is, attacking the mostly rain-slick (and very narrow) pavement through the dense woods and cliff faces with good grip from the 245/35/19 Hankook Ventus S1 Evo2 summer rubber. The A4’s flat cornering attitude and impressive overall handling capabilities give a driver considerable confidence even when pressing hard.
Interesting that ze Germans are now using Hankooks! What was once a niche, start-up player has now taken over the contract from Continental. That's impressive for Hankook, I'd say, and an interesting move by Audi (I think...).
We also drove a bright red S-Line trim car with the 3.0L TDI engine and eight-speed Tiptronic automatic. With more power than the blue car (272 hp) and buckets of more torque (443 lb-ft), the acceleration of this car is impressive, pulling smoothly and linearly all the way to its modest redline. Audi claims this diesel to be a half second quicker to 100 km/h than the 2.0 TFSI engine (5.3 seconds versus 5.
.
...
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely the V6 TDI package will make it to North America, instead seeing the 2.0 TFSI accompanied only by a four-cylinder TDI diesel variant delivering 190 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Likewise, on this side of the Atlantic we’ll also be deprived the great looking A4 Avant wagon to be launched simultaneously with the sedan, instead relegating those seeking more cargo capacity to settle for the butch-ified Allroad edition. Five additional engine options will be available overseas, with and without Quattro all-wheel drive.
Yup...I expected diesel comments to shine before I could get here - and shame we don't get that V6 TDI - are those numbers ever compelling!! I suspect the 2.0D will come to do battle with the Jag XE, and what must, at some point, be a MB C250D, and of course, the 328d. I'd still opt for the diesels over the gassers, but it all depends on what the price premium is for them. Where the diesels are the base engines, I'd be as happy as snowman in a bespoke suit to drive a 190hp/295lb-ft 2.0D A4.
But as amazing as this is, I'd have to give that Jag XE a major look - the XE and the A4 would be my front-runners in this class.
