AnimaTTor
11-18-2005, 10:03 AM
<center><img src="http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0509_3scompany01_l"></center><p>
MotorTrend recently tested the top 3 compact luxury sedans. The A4 sedan, mated to the aging Tiptronic and heavy quattro, loses to the lighter and more agile BMW and Infiniti. The A4 takes 7.1 seconds to reach 60 mph, while the BMW and Infiniti take 6.6 and 6.4 respectively. The Audi's other performance figures fair just as poorly.
Some notable quotes from the extensive article:
"Despite a respectable 0.80g lateral acceleration pace, the quattro-equipped Audi's high bulk and heavy nose numbs the A4's driving personality into leaden sluggishness. Although the steering effort is pinkie light and the nose redirects promptly--it's like a one-way conversation, and you're doing all the talking. Increase the pace, and you'll better understand high school Newtonian physics. It's best to be patient in the corners, get the car settled, and nail the throttle only when the apex has been cleared."
"The A4's ride (see sidebar) comes across as brittle and stiff on its knees. It skips and skitters on imperfect roads and almost everywhere feels more agitated than the other two. Stab the throttle, and the Audi seems caught leaning back on its heels instead of forward on its toes, as if weighted by a suit of woven steel thread. The A4 is a seductive, tasteful sedan, and undoubtedly in its element in adverse conditions--but on bone-dry tarmac, the other two outshine it. Which, the almanac tells us, is most of the time."<ul><li><a href="http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0509_3scompany/index.html">Read the full article</a></li></ul>
MotorTrend recently tested the top 3 compact luxury sedans. The A4 sedan, mated to the aging Tiptronic and heavy quattro, loses to the lighter and more agile BMW and Infiniti. The A4 takes 7.1 seconds to reach 60 mph, while the BMW and Infiniti take 6.6 and 6.4 respectively. The Audi's other performance figures fair just as poorly.
Some notable quotes from the extensive article:
"Despite a respectable 0.80g lateral acceleration pace, the quattro-equipped Audi's high bulk and heavy nose numbs the A4's driving personality into leaden sluggishness. Although the steering effort is pinkie light and the nose redirects promptly--it's like a one-way conversation, and you're doing all the talking. Increase the pace, and you'll better understand high school Newtonian physics. It's best to be patient in the corners, get the car settled, and nail the throttle only when the apex has been cleared."
"The A4's ride (see sidebar) comes across as brittle and stiff on its knees. It skips and skitters on imperfect roads and almost everywhere feels more agitated than the other two. Stab the throttle, and the Audi seems caught leaning back on its heels instead of forward on its toes, as if weighted by a suit of woven steel thread. The A4 is a seductive, tasteful sedan, and undoubtedly in its element in adverse conditions--but on bone-dry tarmac, the other two outshine it. Which, the almanac tells us, is most of the time."<ul><li><a href="http://motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0509_3scompany/index.html">Read the full article</a></li></ul>