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'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.

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. (...BACK)