2005 Audi New Car Model Guide by Bob Plunkett : ROAD & TRAVEL Magazine

2005 Audi New Car Model Guide Audi, hailing from Germany, promotes precisely mannered sedans and wagons sized from small to medium to large, plus curvaceous sports coupes and convertibles. For 2005, Audi's line continues its alphanumeric designations of A4, A6 and A8 for its model line up of sedans. Yet there are variations, like Audi's too-cute TT coupe and roadster, or the allroad quattro, a crossover wagon with all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction.

Audi A8L

Audi's flagship A8 series -- cast on a unitized space frame structure composed of lightweight aluminum, then fitted with sophisticated mechanical systems and extravagant luxuries -- now comes in two different lengths for the wheelbase.

The A8L debuted last year riding on a stretched wheelbase ten feet long with more than sufficient legroom for passengers in the rear quarters. This year, a new variation dubbed simply A8 also appears with the wheelbase pared slightly and five inches trimmed from the overall length. Both A8 and A8L stock the same powertrain, an aluminum 4.2-liter V8 pumping 335 hp through a ZF six-speed electronic automatic transmission with Tiptronic manual shift mode. Both also contain Audi's quattro AWD equipment, plus a computerized anti-lock brake system (ABS) and an electronic stabilization program (ESP) to prevent wheels from skidding laterally. Later in the year the A8L 6.0 will emerge as Audi's top car. Expect it to pack a remarkable W-shaped 12-cylinder engine displacing 6.0 liters and producing 450 hp through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic.

Audi A6

Middle sedans from Audi stand in size between the compact A4 and the full-size A8. The series begins a new generation of models in 2005 with a new design patterned after the elegant A8. Compared to previous A6 issues, new versions measure nearly five inches longer with the wheelbase stretched three inches longer and the width expanded by two inches. Styling is sleek and dramatic. The stubby package features a revamped face with single-frame grille and adaptive bi-Xenon headlamps. A spacious five-place passenger compartment contains lavish appointments, including leather seats and trimmings in wood and aluminum.

Two models emerge, each with quattro AWD traction but a different powertrain. A6 3.2 draws a new 3.2-liter V6 with 255 hp through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Top model A6 4.2 uses the 4.2-liter V8 out of the A8. The dashboard on A6 incorporates Audi's MMI -- Multimedia Interface -- which organizes various car controls through a dash-mounted video display and a joystick on the console. Optional gear extends to a DVD-based navigation system with voice recognition, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and premium Bose audio equipment.

Audi A4/S4

Compact-class cars from Audi show up as sleek four-door sedans and airy drop-top variations oriented with a FrontTrak front-wheel-drive (FWD) system or quattro, a permanently engaged AWD system. The convertible is called the A4 Cabriolet, while a souped-up sport sedan and convertible derivative wear the badge of S4.

Entry issue in the series is the A4 1.8T sedan with a 1.8-liter turbo plant in FrontTrak format with a manual five-speed manual gearbox or multitronic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The A4 1.8T also offers a quattro edition with six-speed manual shifter. Luxury model is the A4 3.0 with an aluminum-block 3.0-liter V6 that makes 220 hp. The A4 3.0 quattro has either a manual six-speed or five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

The A4 Cabriolet holds the 1.8-liter turbo plant in FrontTrak format or the 3.0-liter V6 with FrontTrak or quattro traction. And the bullet-shaped S4 sedan and convertible soars with a 4.2-liter V8 pushing 340 hp through a six-speed manual or optional six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that adds shift paddles on the steering wheel for hands-on gear changes. The S4 issues also bring large brakes, Xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and 18-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires.

Audi TT

Audi's compact two-door machines appear as a slinky sport coupe or daring roadster with curvy skin stretched tautly over exaggerated wheels. The FWD TT 1.8T employs a 1.8-liter turbo four rated at 180 hp with a five-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed manual. The AWD Quattro TT massages the same engine, although inter-coolers are also attached to pump up a juicy 225 hp. Another quattro edition extracts 250 hp from that plant and sends it through a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) shifter. This most powerful TT wears 17-inch wheels capped by performance tires and a taller rear spoiler, bigger brakes and a modified exhaust system. It also adds shifter paddles to the steering wheel.

The cockpit for all TT editions is a creative exercise of form following function. Machined aluminum rings stand in multiple spots, such as a clamp for the stick shifter's leather boot. Also, the silvery metallic theme continues with metal bezels ringing analog gauges in the instrument panel and dash control buttons, plus an aluminum cover over the face of audio controls and perforated stainless steel foot pedals studded in rubber.

Audi allroad

As a bridge between a low-slung pavement cruiser and high-clearance SUV, this crossover vehicle blends a sporty sedan and sport-utility to form an AWD estate wagon with pneumatic suspension to move the chassis up or down to one of four levels. The luxurious passenger compartment -- draped in supple leathers, hardwoods and touches of satin-finished aluminum -- has two front bucket seats divided by a center console and followed by a rear bench with twin indentions for two but room for three.

A third bench, facing the rear and sized strictly for children, is optional and can be removed. Audi builds the vehicle in two versions, base allroad quattro 2.7T and the high-powered allroad quattro 4.2. The latter stocks the 4.2-liter V8 out of A8L. In this installation it produces 300 hp and puts it through a five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The entry-issue allroad quattro 2.7T uses a bi-turbo V6 that makes 250 hp, with all torque scored by a six-speed manual or optional five-speed Tiptronic.