Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Audi
Audi expands A4 lineup with new FrontTrak model, six-speed manual on quattro
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi A4
Audi is expanding its A4 line-up to include two new option levels on its entry-level sedan; one equipped with FrontTrak (read: front-wheel-drive) and another that finally offers a six-speed manual on the base quattro-equipped A4.
The 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak mates a CVT to the 2.0T inline four, returning an EPA rating of 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The six-speed manual quattro A4 achieves the same highway rating, but loses one mpg around town. Pricing for the FrontTrak model starts at $31,000, while the six-speed, AWD-equipped variant comes in at $31,850. Both models benefit from a host of standard equipment, including leather seating, sunroof and SIRIUS satellite radio. Make the jump for all the details.
Gallery: New Audi A4
PRESS RELEASE
Audi A4 Lineup Expands With New FrontTrak and Manual Models
- The Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak sedan pairs the multitronic transmission with the award-winning Audi 2.0 TFSI engine
- The Audi A4 quattro sedan is now available with a six-speed manual transmission
- MSRP for the base front-drive model is $31,000 and $31,850 for the base manual quattro model.
The 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak combines the advantages of the Audi 2.0 TFSI engine, which recently earned a spot on the 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines list, and the efficient multitronic continuously variable transmission, or CVT.
The A4 sedan now available with a six-speed manual transmission, offers a sporty driving experience for those who prefer to shift for themselves. The manual transmission is also paired with Audi's efficient 2.0 TFSI engine along with Audi's latest generation of quattro all-wheel drive featuring a rear torque bias for sporty handling.
The result of the new front-wheel drive A4 powertrain combination is the best fuel efficiency in its class with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in city driving conditions and 30 mpg in highway driving. Those fuel economy figures represent a 4 percent fuel-efficiency gain over the previous-generation A4 powered with earlier versions of the 2.0 TFSI engine and the multitronic transmission. The 2009 A4 2.0T quattro manual sedan achieves the best efficiency of any all-wheel drive car in its luxury segment with EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg on highways.
The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price on the front-wheel drive 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak sedan with multitronic CVT transmission starts at $31,000. The MSRP on the 2009 Audi A4 2.0T quattro manual is $31,850. Both models come with a rich list of standard equipment such as sunroof, leather seating, SIRIUS satellite radio, and quattro all-wheel drive.
"Offering exceptional efficiency without sacrificing the comforts that luxury car buyers expect is Audi's hallmark," said Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi of America. "These two new A4 models are no exception. Their addition to the Audi lineup allows us to meet a broader array of consumer tastes with our highly acclaimed, best-selling car."
Audi is a pioneer in continuously variable transmission technology. The multitronic transmission was significantly revamped and first appears in the 2009 Audi A4. With the redesign, the multitronic transmission offers greater sportiness and agility along with reduced fuel consumption. The first Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak multitronic model will begin arriving at dealers this month, with Audi A4 2.0T quattro manual models expected to arrive in dealerships by early 2009.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Enok 2:38PM (12/19/2008)
I haven't actually seen anyone with empty eye sockets, but this car looks that way to me.
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Alex 2:40PM (12/19/2008)
i didn't know anyone was asking for a fwd a4. lame.
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StickShift 2:50PM (12/19/2008)
They're had FWD A4s for the past two generations at least.
The 6 six speed Quattro sounds like a nice package. Too bad I'm not in the market.
Alex 3:22PM (12/19/2008)
i had no idea.
Quattrofan 3:31PM (12/19/2008)
Amen Brother!
StickShift 3:35PM (12/19/2008)
Not surprising - who would buy an Audi and not get Quattro?
zamafir 4:09PM (12/19/2008)
ugh. they've had fwd a4s since before the model was called the a4.
MikeW 4:15PM (12/19/2008)
The last generation A4-Multitronic was slick, now it is a skip.
Now the A4 isn't front heavy enough for front drive, and there is an extra gear mesh (for reduced efficiency)
Dude 2:47PM (12/19/2008)
FrontTrak.
Right now, there's someone at Acura going "Why didn't we think of this?"
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SOhp101 3:47PM (12/19/2008)
Audi has been using the name 'FrontTrak' for years... FWD Audis are nothing new.
dcwf 2:48PM (12/19/2008)
The PR says that "both models come with a rich list of standard equipment such as . . . quattro all-wheel drive." Must be the ellusive quattro FrontTrak model.
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Mazda FTW! 2:48PM (12/19/2008)
So the RWD version will be the 'BackTrak'
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Auari 2:57PM (12/19/2008)
First - I thought the only reason people buy sticks is for fast cars
second - I thought the main reason people like Audi's is because of their awesome quattro system.
This makes no since.
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bigford87129 3:09PM (12/19/2008)
People buy manual gearboxes for: fuel economy, performance, and to have a little fun getting from point A to point B.
I'll take an A4 Avant with the 6-speed and quattro, please.
Davin Black 3:14PM (12/19/2008)
...people buy stick shift because it's cheaper than a slushbox, or because they prefer shifting. Seeing as there are so many awesome manumatic systems out there (BMW's SMG, Audi's DSG, und so weiter), having a stick shift over auto is no guarantor of speed.
While the quattro system is pretty awesome, it's also pretty useless for the average driver - a driver who doesn't necessarily push their cars to their limits when on the road. The majority of drivers are so annoyingly cautious enough on their own that Quattro would be a waste, hence opting for FrontTrak.
And it's "sense". Yeah.
Sherief 3:47PM (12/19/2008)
Agreed. Heck, I'd pay a premium for a 6-speed manual in an Avant.
YouFaceTheTick 2:23AM (12/20/2008)
I buy manuals to keep myself interested, involved and to control the engine. We have an A3 DSG. DSG is better than a traditional manual but overall, it's boring as all get out on a daily drive to work (thus the reason it's my wife's car). When I drive automatics I simply don't much care for driving...too little to do.
aaron 3:09PM (12/19/2008)
Audi's FrontTrak = BMW's sDrive
Gotta have a spiffy name for everything, right?
Anyway, front-drive Audi's are for people that are cross-shopping with Acura, aka Camry-type people that want something brand new and "a little nicer, a little sportier". Whatever that means, that ain't me and probably most people that know at least a little bit about cars.
Those in the know (us here at AB) that real Audi cars have AWD. If that sounds snooty, then I'm sorry, but you can always by a certified used AWD Audi.
The A3 is nice, though...
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SOhp101 3:55PM (12/19/2008)
"...Those in the know (us here at AB) that real Audi cars have AWD..."
Just like the "real" enthusiasts know that the Boxster/Cayman isn't a "real" Porsche, or a C-Class MB isn't a "real" Mercedes, the Continental GT just isn't a "real" Bentley, and any non-M BMW isn't a "real" BMW.
The A3 is nice but it's not a "real" Audi, FYI. And those in the "know" know that certified used is just marketing speak to trick people who think they know better.
rsfourever 3:10PM (12/19/2008)
now i'm just waiting for them to put the six-speed manual to the 3.2L V6, and HOPEFULLY the S4 (as it's not in the TTS, surprisingly, in the states).
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