Middle-size Audi cars conform to sedan and wagon (Avant) formats with sensuous sheetmetal shapes. The series begins with the A6 3.2 FrontTrak sedan and the A6 Avant 3.2 Quattro, each with Audi’s 3.2-liter V6 for 255 horsepower through a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission or CVT. More muscle goes to the A6 4.2 with a 4.2-liter FSI V8 worth 350 horsepower
Sporty new Audis of 2008 are the A5 Coupe and a sport-tuned performance variation S5 Coupe. Both are slick-lined, two-door vehicles with cushy four-seat cabins. The A5 has Audi’s 3.2-liter V6 FSI plant producing 265 horsepower. Upgrade the S5 to the 4.2-liter FSI V8, which delivers 354 horsepower. Both the A5 and the S5 show Audi’s asymmetrical dynamic Quattro AWD traction and a standard six-speed manual gearbox or optional six-speed Tiptronic automatic.
Audi RS 4
Audi’s refined European muscle cars, both the sports sedan and a new Cabriolet convertible, tote a 4.2-liter, direct-injection V8 FSI pumping 420 horsepower with a six-speed manual transmission and Quattro AWD system using a rear-based dynamic asymmetrical torque split. The RS 4 has a sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), and wheel track width increases over the S4 sedan by 1.5 inches to boost tire grip.
Audi’s compact cars come as four-door sedans and five-door wagons (Avant), drop-tops (Cabriolet) with FrontTrak (FWD) or the Quattro (AWD) traction. Sportier models wear the badge of S4. All variations for 2008 show bodywork off the S4, which includes revamped fascia, lower door trim and a tail spoiler. The A4 2.0T FrontTrak has the 2.0-liter turbo FSI plant with a manual six-speed or Multitronic Continuously Variable Transmission. The A4 in luxury mode with V6 power is the A4 3.2 Quattro worth 255 horsepower. The S4 sedans, wagons and convertibles employ a big V8 with 340 horsepower.
Audi’s subcompact A3 Sportback five-door hatch continues as the A3 2.0T FrontTrak with front-wheel-drive and the A3 3.2 S-line Quattro with all-wheel-drive. The 2.0T employs a 2.0-liter, four-in-line engine with turbo-charger and inter-cooler plus Audi’s Fuel Straight Injection, creating 200 horsepower with a manual six-speed stick or Direct Shift Gearbox automatic. The A3 3.2 Quattro S-line packs a 3.2-liter V6 worth 250 horsepower with the DSG.
In sensuous skin wrapping an expanded structure, MDX the car-based CUV slants toward performance and conjures up images of a toned athlete worthy of the vehicle’s name Multi-Dimensional Cross-Trainer. It has a 300-horsepower, VTEC V6 with SH-AWD traction and a vehicle stability control (VSC) system to check lateral slippage. Three optional packages create step-up models, like the Technology package, Sport package and the Entertainment package with a DVD-based video screen.
Acura RDX is stuffed with luxurious appointments and tuned for sporty performance. The 2.3-liter, four-cylinder plant outfitted with the turbo-charger and i-VTEC controls and ties to a five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic with paddle shifters. Acura also adds a navigation system with voice recognition, a 360-watt premium sound system and curtain-style side air bags keyed to rollover sensors.
Keen exterior lines define Acura’s compact-class sports sedan. The engine is a 2.4-liter, in-line-four through a close-ratio, six-speed manual gearbox or no-load electronic automatic five-speed Sequential SportShift. The TSX carries a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and Honda’s vehicle stability assist (VSA) equipment operating in conjunction with an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and traction control system (TCS).
Acura TL
The chic TL is not only a slick performance sedan, but also a plush ride with cushy gear aboard. It handles like a sports car, though the five-seat. The TL’s aluminum 3.2-liter VTEC V6 creates 258 horsepower with an automatic, five-speed transmission adding Sequential SportShift override for manual control. The TL Type-S performance package adds a more powerful VTEC V6, sport-tuned suspension and Brembo front brakes with a five-speed automatic or close-ratio, six-speed manual shifter.
Acura’s fancy full-size sedan packs a forceful engine and a smart all-wheel-drive (AWD) system dubbed Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RL’s aluminum V6 engine displaces 3.5 liters with a drive-by-wire throttle and VTEC system. The transmission is controlled through a five-speed Sequential SportShift automatic with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
