Audi A4: Dream come true

Motoring journalists live charmed albeit ironic lives. Week in and week out, we get to drive the newest and fanciest cars around town — all in the name of work. Oh yes, we come home every so often in the newest BMW or Jaguar model. Occasionally we get to bring home some one-of-a-kind charmer like the rotary engine-powered Mazda RX8 (more on that in a future story). Yet despite our luck, every so often we do get our dose of reality. We don’t, after all, own the cars we test drive. And while I’m perfectly happy with my trusty Nissan Cefiro’s performance, I’ve always been flat out honest that it’s my dream to one day own an Audi A4. I’ve driven cars far more expensive than the admittedly pricey German sedan of my dreams, but you have to understand that this one trophy just seems so close yet so far away. Oh yes, until such time that a journalist’s professional fee approximates that of a corrupt politician’s, the A4 will always be the one that got away.

Over my birthday weekend, Amado del Roasario, VP for Sales and Marketing of PGA Cars, decided to gift this writer with a glimpse of what could have been (or maybe what could be, if by some strange twist of fate I do decide to run for public office and win). So on the last weekend of August, the ever-affable del Rosario sent the Audi A4, in all her glistening silver glory, to our home in Pasig — with instructions for me to enjoy. Being the obedient editor that I am, I did exactly as I was told — I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend with the A4. Here’s a listing of what one can enjoy in this amazing new sedan from Audi…

First off, let’s talk about that oft-discussed new façade, which many traditionalists scoff at. The now-familiar gaping grille — which is the most immediately-visible element of Audi’s new design philosophy — is present the German carmaker’s entire sedan/wagon lineup, the A4 included. It flows through the car’s hood and stoops down all the way to strike across the bumper. I don’t know about you but if traditionalists find the design less than sterling, I’d be comfortable calling them grumpy old farts. What’s not to like?! It’s a refreshing change, yet one that is not entirely difficult to swallow. If you ask me, I’d say the controversial grille compliments the sleek form and strict function image that Audis have always conveyed. The right combination of curves and lines in the car’s exterior then add a touch of panache to the car as it deviates little from its more hallowed siblings, the A6 and the A8.

The moment one steps into the vehicle, however, is the moment nirvana is experienced. The A4’s interiors are simply candy for the senses. The A4’s plush leather seats and a tastefully put together combination of hard plastics and matte steel is a sight to delight. Take a good, long sniff and you’ll likely absorb the rich, invigorating scent of the high quality leather wafting throughout. The ergonomically designed seats give one a tactile high as they maximize interior space while providing low yet comfortable driving and seating positions for all of the A4’s occupants. And, in case you’re wondering, this is perhaps the most spacious A4 yet.

Driving the car is almost as ecstatic an experience as well. We say almost because the A4 we drove was the 2.0 Multitronic Premium variant — the entry level variant, if you want to be strict about it. A 3.2 FSI V6 variant will be made available soon, according to PGA Cars. While the 2.0 Multitronic Premium variant might not have blown us away with power response, it showed an adequate amount of sprightliness to keep us from calling it slow. What I’m trying to say here is that the entry level A4 doesn’t disappoint, but just the same we can’t wait to try its meaner sibling — which has more than just a few subtle differences from the already impressive 2.0 Multitronic Premium variant.

Speaking of subtle differences, as the A4 3.2 FSI V6 version will likely come in with a manual transmission (for the sport-minded), the more tame 2.0 Premium variant comes with the aforementioned Multitronic transmission, which allows one to shift from automatic to "manual" transmission with just a flick of the gearshift lever. The driver can then "shift manually" using easy-to-reach buttons found in the steering wheel. Very Formula 1, very cool.

As expected, safety features within the Audi A4 pretty much rank among the best in its class. Braking power is nothing short of impressive as an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) comes as standard. As do airbags for both front passengers and two more at the side of the vehicle. Meanwhile, an Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) assures solid grip on the road. In addition, Audi has reworked both the front and rear suspensions of the A4 to assure better handling and precision. While we didn’t exactly whip up a storm in any of our highways in the A4, the occasional zig-zagging along the wet streets of the C5/Valle Verde area proved this.

All in all, the Audi A4 is an impressive sedan — perhaps the best ever in its lineage. You’d have to be a critic of Clarkson proportions (which I obviously am not) to be able to find something appallingly wrong with Audi’s newest version of its compact sedan. So does the Audi A4 match up well against its intended rivals? Without a doubt. Does it merit your attention if you are in search of a sprightly European compact? But of course! After having overcome that mystique of having a long-term test drive slip past me over all these years, does the Audi A4 still hold that title of dream car for me? Oh yeah! Driving the new Audi A4 was a dream come true, and it’s one dream that I wouldn’t mind seeing through to a happily ever after — despite the many other fantastic cars I’ve driven before.