An A4 to remember<p><br>While an all-new Audi A4 is scheduled to arrive in North America in 2001, with a coupe and cabrio to be added to the lineup, the current A4 gets a facelift for the 2000 model year.<p><br>Changes are slight on the surface, though officials in Ingolstadt say they have made extensive modifications underneath to improve safety and ride comfort.<p><br>Visual changes include a new front end with a larger grille opening, re-pro-filed bumper with integrated fog lights and ellipsoidal headlights behind clear plastic lenses. There will be wider side protection moldings, restyled door handles and exter-ior mirrors, a reshaped trunk lid with an electronic soft-touch closing action and new taillight lenses.<p><br>Under the skin, Audi has fine-tuned the suspension with separation of the spring and damper units at the rear, for more sensitive response and less road noise. Selective reinforcement of the A4's body shell improves torsional stiffness.<p><br>Safety improvements include an airbag curtain, called Sideguard, which deploys out of the headliner and covers the side windows. It will be offered as optional equipment in most markets, as will ESP traction and stability control.<br>