OF COURSE, the interlocking rings that mark this as an Audi lack the allure of a spinning propeller or a three-pointed star. But the new A4 has brought enough excellence and innovation to start changing the status quo in the compact luxury market, particularly at the entry level. Despite a few equipment and dynamic deficiencies, the A4 2.0 is an excellent package that offers much in terms of presentation, function and engine/multitronic transmission performance. Indeed, the "other German" is now "the German" to beat.
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Audi A4 1.8 sedan
Released: August 1995
Ended: June 2001
Family Tree: A4THE A4 sedan was one of the first new-generation Audis to reach Australian shores, arriving here in August 1995 as a replacement for the successful Audi 80. Its 92kW four-cylinder engine drove the front wheels, but turbocharged four, V6, quattro four-wheel drive and wagon models were soon added. The entry-level A4 sedan was renamed the 1.8 20V in October 1997 and received ellipsoid headlights in May 1999 before its eventual replacement in June 2001 by the current B6 version tested here.
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