| The latest A4 looks wider, lower and longer than the previous generation (pre-2009), in part because it is wider and longer without being taller, and in part because the front end is shorter, crisper, leaner and more tapered.
It shares the split-grille common to all front-engine Audis, with points on the lower air dam that mimic crab pincers.
The headlamp housings are boldly horizontal, and the light elements themselves draw the eye up and back at the corners.
The wheelbase, the space between the front and rear axles, is 110.6 inches, long by compact sedan standards.
To minimize any limousine look the lower character line along the doors sweeps progressively upward toward the rear wheel, and the shoulder character line just below the windows tapers off as it passes the rear door and curves through the taillight lens as it fades in to the fender.
Aerodynamics have been improved by 3 percent despite the wider dimensions.
When equipped with the bi-Xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, the A4 looks a bit meaner, especially when the daytime running lights are on (on any A4 the daytime running lights can be enabled/disabled through MMI).
They also provide better nighttime vision for the A4 driver (including speed-dependent adjustment) and make the A4 stand out so other drivers see it sooner.
Premiums ride on seven-spoke wheels, Premium Plusses on ten-spokers, but both measure the same 17-inches and wear all-season tires.
S-Line models add a silver center blade below the grille; sleeker air intakes; side skirts; and finer, seven-double-spoke wheels to give the A4 a more imposing, hunkered-down stance.
The A4 Avant is as aerodynamic as the previous-generation A4 sedan, and while wagons aren't as slick as sedans, wind noise is absent.
Rear visibility is good in the Avant thanks to the rear wiper/washer and the added internal volume means the rear window doesn't fog as quickly.
Horizontally themed tail light housings frame the rear end; for 2010, Premium Plus and Prestige models sport LED taillights to complement their LED front running lights.
The trunk and cargo hatch openings are slightly closer to the ground than in previous generation models for easier loading.
Avants are rated to carry 198 pounds on the roof, more than many SUVs because of the A4's lower center of gravity.
Of course the S4 has a look all its own.
The standard model's blacked-out, horizontally themed two-tier grille is overlaid with strong verticals that visually transform a mere opening into a grid.
On the other hand, the much-smaller slot below the grille is blacked out on the S4 (rather than divided by four body-color verticals as on the A4) and its bottom edge is defined by an aluminum diffuser blade.
A red/silver/black S4 badge appears within the main grille, offset to the curb side.
The S4 front fascia is unique as well, with the horizontal bumper segments to either side of grille recessed to make the central grille appear more prominent, although, honestly, this difference is so slight as to leave us wondering if it was worth the tooling cost.
A thankfully subtle rib below the door openings suffices for a side-sill extension; kudos to Audi for under-doing what so many other automakers over-do.
More distinctive are the S4 Prestige model's 19-inch wheels with their five triple-ribbed spokes.
Around back, the rear bumper fascia gains some crispness from a raised lower border where it arches over those two pairs of exhaust outlets separated by another aluminum diffuser blade.
Outside mirror housings are aluminum as well. |