2006 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro Published 03/30/2006

Sometimes you find a car where everything just works well together. Sure, I love excessive, tire shredding horsepower but the true test of an automobile is more than statistics. It is the way it feels.

The rock solid feel of German engineering cannot be measured in a traditional sense. Audi enthusiasts understand and expect a level of quality and confidence. The 2006 Audi A4, while not perfect, is one of those vehicles that just feels right.

Audi offers a complete lineup, from the A3 Sport Wagon priced under $30,000, to the ultimate A8 sedan exceeding $118K when equipped with the 12 Cylinder engine. The sporty TT and Q7 Sport Utility Vehicle helps Audi offer a complete line of vehicles. While the A4 and A6 round out the Audi mid range, the A4 is the model that has been reinvented in multiple personalities.

My favorite is the S4 Cabriolet offering an incredible blend of all wheel drive power and luxury with the excitement of a top down convertible coupe. The RS4 is available in an earth shattering 420 horsepower rendition while the A4 Avant is an extremely sensible Sport Wagon.

But it is the A4 Sedan that defines Audi in the minds of many. The 2006 Audi A4 2.0T offers 200 horsepower of turbocharged excitement with an MSRP starting below $30,000. This week I drove the 2006 Audi A4 3.2 Liter Quattro loaded with options pushing the suggested price to a hefty $46,510.

Audi continues to produce one of the best all wheel drive systems for cars. Quattro is automatic and offers no noticeable drag. The 3.2 Liter V6 engine is normally aspirated, producing 255 horsepower. Mated to an excellent 6 speed automatic transmission the A4 is fun to drive in any environment. Tiptronic with Dynamic Shift Program may be one of the best transmission systems available for this class of vehicle. You may shift through the six speeds yourself or let the DSP learn your shift preferences automatically.

Ride and handling is solid, as expected. The electric power steering boost does not replicate sports car handling as Audi's of old, but it is not as insulating as some claim. Interior quality and design is flawless in its simple luxury. I love the switchblade key design, but griping the key and starting the vehicle was difficult on my test vehicle. The A6 has a very cool Advanced Key Access, which is not available on the A4. The extra cost Audi Navigation and Sirus satellite radio may be state of the art but still did not play a burned .mp3 CD. I also was not impressed with the gimmicky radio presets. I know, sit down, shut up, and drive. After all that is what Audi is about.

Styling for the Audi A4 is unfortunately strait Volkswagen. Not that the VW design is bad, it just that Audi deserves a more distinctive look. Sharing the same general horse collar shaped trapezoidal design for the grill; the Audi evokes too much VW in its presentation.

The four interlocking circles of the Audi logo are similar to the five interlocking rings of the Olympic games but the four-circle logo had its origin as four companies formed the Auto Union AG in 1932. Audi now shares a place alongside marquee nameplates such as Bentley, Bugatti, Seat, Skoda and Lamborghini within the Volkswagen family.

The 2006 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro would be a sensible vehicle to own. It will provide miles of safe comfortable traveling on any road surface, and you will be glad you found a car where everything just works together. You could say it is a "feel good" car.

2006 Audi A4 Sedan 3.2 Quattro AT6
Midsize Four-Door Sport Sedan

3.2 Liter V6 Engine
255 hp 243 lbs. ft. torque
6 speed Automatic Tiptronic transmission

$36,040 Base MSRP
$46,510 MSRP as driven

19/26 MPG

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