2003 AUDI AA4

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AUDI

Starting in 1996 with the compact-class A4 sedan, Audi of Germany created a new line of sleek and sophisticated sedans and station wagons sized from small and medium to large, plus curvaceous sports coupes and convertibles. Last year the process began again with the arrival of a new generation of designs for the A4 in two sedan variations plus an estate wagon. In the 2003 line, Audi expands the A4 series with the addition of the A4 3.0 Cabriolet, a sparkling new convertible lined with premium equipment and packing a powerful 3.0-liter V6 engine plus safety systems that extend to a sophisticated automatic rollover protection system (ARPS). Audi's complete line for 2003 comprises alphanumeric designations for sedans and wagons of compact, mid-size and large classes, with engines of four and six and eight cylinders -- thus the tags as A4, A6 and A8. Then there are sub-species with boosted power or stretched wheelbases, such as the A6 2.7T and A6 4.2 performance versions or A8L stretcher and powerful S8 top-of-the-line sports sedan. In addition, the avant label in Audi vernacular denotes a station wagon format, FrontTrak means front-wheel-drive (FWD) and quattro signifies all-wheel-drive (AWD). Audi's roly-poly TT coupe and roadster convertible also return in FrontTrak and quattro editions with optional six-speed manual shifter for the base model. Completing the lineup is the allroad 2.7T quattro. This cross over melds a sports sedan and sport-utility wagon to form an AWD estate wagon off the A6 avant but with the wheel track broader and a variable-height pneumatic suspension aboard.

A4 SERIES: Audi's A4 compact-class sedans and avant wagons emerged in 2002 with new generational designs that expanded the structure and stretches the wheelbase to forge a larger package with more cabin space for riders. Entry issue in the A4 series is the 1.8T sedan with a 1.8-liter turbo plant in FrontTrak format linked to a manual five-speed gearbox. In addition, Audi offers its multitronic shifter, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that approaches the manual's fuel economy and quickness but delivers undetectable shift transitions through an electric clutch. To ensure tire traction on pavement, A4 1.8T is also available with Audi's quattro system, a permanently engaged device that distributes the engine's power to all wheels. Audi also casts A4 in luxury mode as the A4 3.0 sedan and avant wagon. These versions are fired by an aluminum-block 3.0-liter V6 that generates 220 hp. A4 3.0 quattro gets either a manual six-speed or five-speed Tiptronic automatic. The new A4 3.0 Cabriolet, an airy drop-top rigged with power-operated retractable top covered in cloth and etched with a heated rear window, also draws from the 3.0-liter V6 and provides extensive safety gear, including side-impact air bags and ARPS. Power controls for the driver's seat are available on the 1.8T sedan and 17-inch all season tires show up optionally with A4 3.0 Cabriolet.

A6 SERIES: The mid-size sedans and estate wagons from Audi stand in size between compact A4 and full-size A8. The series consists of three sedans and two wagons that vary through powertrains yet a unibody structure shared by all contains lightweight aluminum structural components. Base A6 3.0 sedan and A6 3.0 avant wagon use Audi's impressive 3.0-liter V6 worth 220 hp. A five-speed Tiptronic automatic is standard with sport settings, but the multitronic CVT is offered on FrontTrak models. Audi's quattro traction system is optional for sedan or wagon. Next step up in the series leads to the A6 2.7T sedan tipping decidedly to the sporty side of performance with a unique bi-turbo 2.7-liter V6 aboard for 250 hp. The two turbo-chargers -- one for each of two cylinder banks -- take up less space than a single large unit and the small size means faster response from accelerator pressure to firing time and higher torque at lower engine speeds. Then A6 4.2 sedan stocks the powerful 4.2-liter dual cam V8 out of Audi's ultimate S8 for massive muscle. And for ultimate strength in a wagon, the sport-tuned S6 avant also gets the V8. S6 avant rolls on 17-inch Avus alloy wheels with ZR performance tires, has stiffer suspension settings on a lowered platform and puts a Bose sound system in the cushy cabin.

A8 SERIES: Full-size flagship sedans from Audi revolve around a unibody structure derived from aluminum in a complex system designed to increase rigidity and pare weight. Add sheets of aluminum for roof, side panels, hood and trunk, and the resultant car in sedan shape weighs about 40 percent less than a steel-based equivalent, but it's also 40 percent more stiff and rigid, which sparks its athletic character. The series for 2003 includes regular-length A8 and extended-wheelbase A8L motivated by a powerful V8 engine and connected to the quattro system. A sporty treatment called S8 carries the 4.2-liter V8 for 360 hp. In the deluxe cabin, twin bucket flank a functional console, and a three-person rear bench has twin sculptured spaces plus impressive legroom. Leather covers seats and glossy burled walnut dresses the dash, console and doors. For A8, a new Premium Package installs heated seats and a heated steering wheel, with Audi's navigation system in the dash, a tire pressure monitor aboard, plus Parktronic parking aid, xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and 17-inch forged alloy wheels. A new Limited Edition Package paints the body in the new color of Avus Silver with cabin shaded to Caramel, Platinum or Burgundy.

TT SERIES: Audi's compact two-door machines appear as a slinky sports coupe or daring convertible roadster with roly-poly styling and curvy skin stretched tautly over exaggerated wheels. The FWD TT 1.8T employs a 1.8-liter turbo four of long stroke design with dual overhead cams and five valves per cylinder. It's rated at 180 hp and connects to a five-speed manual transmission or optional new six-speed manual that arrives later in the year. The AWD quattro TT massages the same engine, although inter-coolers are also attached to pump up a juicy 225 hp. The TT cockpit is a creative exercise of form following function. Machined aluminum rings dotted by eight circular indentions simulating screw marks show up in multiple locations, 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. Updated cast alloy wheels roll out for 2003, along with a new generation of Audi radios with in-dash CD deck. A new color chart works with fresh shades like Ocean Blue, Goodwood Green and Dolomite Gray.

allroad SERIES: Audi's designers tried to blend two seemingly disparate concepts of a curve-craving sports sedan with a mud-loving sport-utility vehicle -- one a sleek pavement speeder that slinks snugly against asphalt, the other a boxy off-road machine hiked high in suspension to clear rough stuff on the trail. The vehicle produced by this mix is called allroad. It's a cool scheme based on Audi's A6 avant but with different body panels and protective armor cladding applied, plus a luxurious passenger compartment draped in supple leathers, glossy hardwoods and touches of satin-finished aluminum. The avant also packs more power, thanks to the bi-turbo V6 borrowed from A6 2.7T. The plant makes 250 hp. All torque translates through a six-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic coupled to Audi's Tiptronic shifter. To control tire traction on pavement, the allroad comes with Audi's quattro system. As a bridge between a low-slung pavement cruiser and high-clearance SUV, Audi applies the magic of a height-adjustable suspension that moves the chassis up or down to one of four levels. The cabin has two front bucket seats divided by a center console and followed by a rear bench with twin indentions for two but wide enough for three. A third bench, facing the rear and sized strictly for children, is optional and can be removed. Burgundy Red and Cobalt Blue are two new tints for allroad.