THE small to medium luxury European passenger wagon market is a niche within a niche but a smart way for a manufacturer to yield incremental sales. Audi only expects to add 13 per cent to its A4 bottom line but that’s a good 300 cars extra a year that it can sell off the back of a range already established. The Holy Grail for these niche European wagons (which also include the Mercedes-Benz C-class Estate and BMW 3 Series Touring) is the mammoth SUV market. Like its German competitors, the Audi marketing men would like to know how their practical compact luxury wagon could lure away even a fraction of the SUV buyers. Does the A4 Avant have what it takes to steal SUV sales?
Audi B7 A4 2.0 Avant
Released: March 2005
Ended: August 2008
Family Tree: A4THE B7-series A4 Avant was Audi’s third-generation A4 wagon in Australia and had excellent refinement and finish, and used clever technology such as the CVT auto. Less than exemplary ride quality and steering that lacked feel and had rack rattle over bumps took the lustre off what was otherwise an accomplished model. The entry-level B7 Avant had a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that developed 96kW and 195Nm and was priced at $54,050.
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