Introduction

Audi A4 -- 2005.5 First Drive: Across the pond in Yurrup, from whence Audi hails, cars have no identity problem. There, where roads are often twisty and speed limits liberal, Audi is a known commodity - a maker of premium cars, with a performance pedigree. In the United States, though, it's a different story. American roads are as varied as our drivers, and car choices are many. It's hard to stand out in a crowd here. Despite years of fielding fine products and compiling an envious racing record, Audi's challenge, then, is less about product than perception. How do you get millions of American drivers to point their collective browser at you?

While product isn't the only answer, it's usually the first response. Towards that end, the folks from Ingolstadt have packed the pipeline of late. The new 2005 Audi A6 rolled into showrooms last November and the compact 2006 Audi A3 waits in the wings. Here now is the new 2005.5 Audi A4, this German automaker's volume model.

Design

Audi speaks of the A4 as the locomotive of the brand, and this premium-priced compact has its eyes trained on a brace of worthy competitors, including the Acura TL, BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G35, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volvo S60. Initially, the 2005.5 Audi A4 is offered with front-wheel or "quattro" all-wheel drive, and in sedan or Avant (wagon) body styles.

Style-wise, the new A4 takes traditional Audi design cues and skews younger. The high-waisted side view is capped by a rounded roofline. Audi's bold, single-frame grille is framed by curving, wedged headlights and balanced in back by signature taillights. The Avant recasts the rear view from the c-pillars back, with a traditional, wagon-style hatch in place of the sedan's slightly snubbed tail.