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Audi A4 3.2 FSI quattro road test : Wolf in wolf’s clothing

If it's attention you want, the A4 it is.

    The children in my neighborhood didn’t like me until a short while ago. You see, we fight for space, just like any species in an ecosystem. I am the ‘uncle’ who brings a lot of different cars home and needs space to park them, and they are the kids who need space to play cricket in. The space overlaps, however, and they know that if the ball – or one of them – comes in contact with a car that I’ve parked in the compound, there will be hell to pay. We have had an uneasy truce, wherein I try and park the cars I get home as far away from them as possible, and they try and ignore them. Well, at least, they tried until they laid eyes on the A4 – when this car rolled up to the parking spot, they all stopped playing, huddled together and gaped with wide-eyed admiration at the work of art that stood before them. That, in a nutshell, is the effect that the new A4 has on everyone – including us.

Looks, performance

Ground clearance

Comments on this road test (Latest 10 are shown)

Rahul
on 20 May, 2009 at 03:25 PM

i have been trying to give suggestions since the last 3 RTs but they aren't considering it

Pankaj Prasad
on 19 May, 2009 at 06:59 PM

Rahul, like Banwari has explained & stated, the suggestions will surely be taken into consideration in future reviews.

Ami
on 19 May, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Rahul,

The mention of tyres is a norm that I have seen in most of the reviews. Especially in big cars.

BTW lack of content is something that I have also acknowledged.

Rahul
on 19 May, 2009 at 10:50 AM

we need more technical details...pankaj u have just written wat i always expect from a review

 

@Ami, its just addition of unneccessary words, the review becomes shorter. its already so small, on top of it these words take up more space

Banwari Lal Sharma
on 18 May, 2009 at 10:32 PM

Our reports are detailed normally, however, sometimes in specific scenarios the report may not match with CarWale standard details. Maybe A4 is such an example. Or Charles took the liberty of writing the short review thinking that A4 is a great car and doesn't need any introduction!

Jokes apart, we will try matching your expectations.

OT: Yes, we do get cars for 2-7 days on our own risk.

Pankaj Prasad
on 18 May, 2009 at 09:26 PM

That's appreciated - originality.  But I do sincerely feel that reviews should contain more detailed review on engine, technology, performance & other technical aspects.

OT:  Is the car driven home (overnight or whatever) at CarWale/your risk?

Ami
on 18 May, 2009 at 03:35 PM

@Charles: Nice review. Especially the way it started off.

But, I felt the review was short. (I donno :D). Feels like the review was more of a sneak peak.

Are you sure the Audio system is B&O and not Bose. I remember seeing an AD of A4 which says that it is a Bose.

@Vrushali: Huge improvement in the pics. Kudos!!

I liked these a lot. Picture 1 & Picture 2.  Especuially Pic 1.

The images uploaded for these are blurred. pic 1 & pic 2. There is a small tilt in this pic.

@Rahul: Quick question, what is the problem in mentioning the tyre brand irrespective of the fact that the tyre brand is uniform or not?

Rahul
on 18 May, 2009 at 02:59 PM
I'm sure, you are aware, which quattro I'm talking about. The Audi has updated its technology, why not mention anything about it?
I'm still waiting for your answer on the drivetrain, tyres and cost evaluation of the car.
Steeroid
on 18 May, 2009 at 01:47 PM

 

PS:  You CAN turn the driving lights off.  I suspect most people would - it attracts far too much attention, though I must say it looks nice.  The original impact of these lights is however beginning to wane in other markets as cheap led strips are now available that can give you the same effect on your Yaris or Kia!

Steeroid
on 18 May, 2009 at 01:08 PM

Nice review there, Charles - though it could've been a bit more detailed.

You havent mentioned the ride quality - Audis are known to be harsh on less-than-perfect surfaces, and suspension noise does intrude into the cabin on bad roads (which we have plenty of!).  On the plus side, however, this translates into fantastic handling and chuckability - the question however is whether the target audience is actually going to be throwing this car around enthusiastically at the price levels these vehicles go for in India.

The engine is revvy, the note from the motor is a symphony, the cabin exudes oodles of class and the space it offers is much more than its 3-series and C-class competitors.  I love Audis - they're beating the two others on their traditional strengths, but is this a car I would drive around in India?  I think not - and thats only because of the harsh ride.