The 2009 Audi A4 2.0 quattro – the one with the turbocharged four – is “blow-you-away” good! While the new A4 is larger, curvier and more high-tech than ever, it’s the new engine that makes the difference. The new A4 is bigger, faster and more fuel efficient than ever.
The all-new 2009 Audi A4 Sedan is a stunning example of Teutonic beauty. Compared to its predecessor, it’s larger in all dimensions. With a 6.3-inch stretch in the wheelbase, the new A4 offers exceptional comfort for five passengers. Even though it is larger, the new A4 only gains around 55 pounds compared to its predecessor. By holding the line on weight, as well as improving aerodynamics and updating the engine, the A4 earned an EPA rating of 21 city/27 highway in 2.0-liter quattro trim, better than a similarly equipped 2008 model.
Reviewers like what they find in the 2009 Audi A4. For example, Motor Trend said, "At its core, the A4 is still the sport sedan that many enthusiasts love, and the new larger, more mature sedan is now even better prepared to take on its Mercedes-Benz and BMW rivals." 
The 2.0 quattro model is the base A4 and may be the best choice for many buyers. In addition to having the lowest price in the A4 lineup (MSRP $32,700), the 2.0 quattro has a most impressive motor. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine makes 211 hp and 258 lb/ft of torque (at only 1,500 rpm), more twist than the optional V6 delivers! While this engine isn’t completely new to Audi, it does use variable valve timing for the first time. That adds 11 hp and an impressive 51 lb/ft of torque when compared to its previous generation.
The optional A4 engine is a 3.2-liter V6, a nice powerplant in its own right, but consider this: the 2.0 quattro’s zero-to-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds equals the acceleration of the V6. Even Motor Trend was duly impressed with the base engine. “Even when saddled with the…quattro system and a six-speed automatic, the turbo four-cylinder provides better low-speed acceleration than a V6 A4 with an automatic and all-wheel drive,” noted reviewers. “The four-cylinder’s turbocharger provides immediate boost without a whiff of turbo lag and helps the base car out-accelerate the V6 up to 50 mph,” they found. “When speeds reach 80 mph, the V6’s superior horsepower helps it to slowly pull away from the four-cylinder, but up to that speed, the two are identical.”
Power reaches the pavement in the A4 through a six-speed automatic and Audi's vaunted quattro all-wheel drive system. The latest generation quattro has the smarts to distribute additional power to the outside wheels when cornering. Turns are faster and incredibly stable. Of course, on slippery surfaces, quattro keeps everything on an even keel, but even on dry pavement, the rear-axle-biased quattro system helps the A4 stick like glue.
The 2009 A4 debuts a new driver-adjustable suspension called Driver Select. Active suspensions are not usually found on cars in the A4 class, so this is very special. Driver Select provides a choice of suspension performance modes for the A4. With Driver Select, your A4 can be a cushy and fuel-efficient commuter on Friday and a hot-handling sport sedan on Saturday.
Does Driver Select work as promised? The Los Angeles Times confirms it! The Driver Select system "actually makes a difference in the handling of the car,” noted the Times test drivers. “In some cars...the adjustable suspension buttons don't seem like they are connected to anything...but with the system on Comfort, the A4 (with the optional 18-inch wheels and summer tires) practically floats, recovering from road imperfections in buoyant gentle swells... Put the system on Sport, however, and the ride gets hard and leathery. Get thee to a snaky country road, and quick."
Audi is also known for some of the finest interiors in the business, and the new A4 lives up to expectations. Keep in mind the A4 is the largest car in the midsize class, so the designers had a lot of room to work with. Virtually all reviews rave about the A4’s quality, fit and finish. Automobile magazine said, "The cockpit of the new A4 is definitely more high-end than middle-class, and we're not just talking about materials and finish. There's also more space for long legs, broad shoulders and tall heads than before, and the overall layout, with the navigation monitor mounted high, is much more practical." Edmunds.com agrees and said, "Smooth leather surfaces along with durable-looking plastic and soft-touch materials make for a nice combination of colors and textures. Small touches like ambient lighting for passengers underneath the driver’s seat add to the premium feel." The seating gets high praise, as does added legroom for the backseaters. The trunk holds a respectable 17 cubic feet of stuff.
When it comes to protecting its occupants, the 2009 Audi A4 received a perfect score of five stars in federal frontal-impact, side-impact and rollover resistance tests, besting both of its German rivals. Front, front-seat side and side head-curtain airbags are all standard. Rear-seat side airbags are optional. Antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability control are also standard equipment.
The 2009 Audi A4 is one impressive car, especially the 2.0 quattro model. It’s luxurious, state-of-the-art and the most affordable of the A4 line. You really must see and drive this exciting sedan. We invite you to schedule a private showing and personal test drive.
