Vehicle Spotlight: 2009 Audi A4

It’s easy to see why the Audi A4 is a cop magnet. Redesigned for 2009, Audi’s entry level sedan is growing up to be a solid competitor among the luxury commuters. Six inches longer and two inches wider than last year’s model, the A4 is now the largest sedan in its class. This size increase gives the A4 a more roomy interior and more cargo space. The use of ultra-high-strength steel cuts the A4′s curb weight by 10% while making it more rigid for spirited driving and road-hugging confidence.

The A4 is available as a 4-door sedan, a 5-door wagon and a 2-door convertible, although the convertible is still built on the old platform. Two new engines are available for 2009: a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4 cylinder with 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.2-liter V6 with 265 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard on the base sedan and the convertible, and they both come with a continuously variable transmission. The Quattro versions and the wagon come standard with AWD. A manual transmission is only available on the 2.0T Quattro sedan.

Three option packages are available on the A4. The Premium package includes 17-inch wheels, fog lamps, a sunroof, power seats, leather, cruise control, Audi’s Multi-Media Interface system and a 10-speaker CD audio system with subwoofer, satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack. The Premium Plus package adds xenon headlamps, LED daytime running lights, auto-dimming mirrors, Bluetooth, three-zone automatic climate control, heated seats, an iPod jack and a six-CD changer. The Prestige packages features 18-inch wheels, rear park distance control, keyless ignition / entry, a lane-change warning system and a premium sound system. Navigation and adaptive cruise control are also available. An optional Drive Select system allows the driver to adjust how the car’s throttle, transmission, steering and suspension respond to driving inputs. You can go from a cushy, comfortable ride to a dynamic, enthusiastic one with the push of a button!

Antilock brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on the 2009 A4. (The convertible lacks the side curtain airbags.) The A4 sedan and wagon received perfect five-star scores for both front and side impacts in government crash tests, while the convertible received a marginal side impact rating. Expect an average of 20 mpg to 25 mpg, depending on which model A4 you choose.

LeeAnn Shattuck is the owner andChief Car Chick of Women’s Automotive Solutions, Inc. Women’s Automotive Solutions is a unique car buying service dedicated to helping women through the entire car selection and buying process. Their automotive experience enables them to save clients hundreds to thousands of dollars on a new or used car without the usual frustrations that come with car shopping. www.WomensAutomotiveSolutions.com