Audi A4 2.0 TFSI

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI

Audi's compact A4 sports sedan is little-changed for model year 2012, and congratulations to Audi for that. No major changes were needed. As ever, the A4 combines elegant simplicity in form with prowess in function. Standard and optional equipment levels for the various trim levels have been tweaked a bit, and there are changes to packaged and standalone options. Audi knows what some manufacturers forget: Don't mess with a good thing.

The entry-level A4 has a front-wheel drive spec, with the multitronic® continuously-variable transmission (CVT). Above that are the quattros (small "q"), with a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic (Tiptronic®) transmissions. Trim levels for all are Premium (base), Premium Plus, and Prestige. The original 2.0TFSI engine had a great combination of power and drivability. With 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque it made any V6 offered alongside it redundant, especially in a car of the A4's size.

In 2009, the addition of variable cam phasing on the intake cam and the Audi Valvelift System (AVS) for variable valve lift on the exhaust cam to the existing high-pressure direct fuel injection and intercooled turbocharging systems raised horsepower a bit to 211 (at 5300-6000 rpm) and torque a healthy amount to 258 lb-ft -- between 1500 and 4200 rpm, meaning that maximum torque is available most of the time the car is being driven. Turbo lag is a non-issue unless the engine is lugged at too low revs, which is one of the worst things that can be done to an engine. Keep the revs up! The new eight-speed automatic should work well, with shorter steps between gears and Tiptronic manual mode.

The manual works perfectly, and with the engine's wonderfully broad and strong torque vehicleion shifting is usually optional, with any of two or three gears a possible choice. Shift action is very good, and the stick is a bit lighter than the automatic, for small improvements in both acceleration and economy. EPA mileage is 21mpg city, 31 highway. I got 23 overall, despite minimal attention to economical driving.