makes it pretty hard to know what you're getting. i couldn't find a list of the differences on the audiusa.com site.

There are several resources to get this info. Look at the Features & Specs link at the top of the audi.usa A4 page. Really not too difficult.

By designating the trim levels, the cars are worth more, as opposed to "options"

this should increase resale vale. I feel it was a good move.

It enables block production at the factory and helps keep overall costs down. Welcome to new paradigm.

Just be glad that they did not put "P", "P+", and "PP" on the back of the cars. ;)

why would Audi want to emulate that kind of thinking?