When looking at the Audi A4 Avant, I have to confess that I think this estate version of the A4 looks a lot sleeker and meaner than the sedan alternative. The long low-profile roof-line and lowered suspension give a definitive display of power, speed and aggression blended with elegance and grace.

Assailing the rather boring wagon sector, the new Audi A4 Avant comes as a real breath of fresh air. In Australia, the Audi A4 Avant offers two engines, both of which are sparkling performers and astute in their design.

Most mid-sized estate versions can boast the fact that they have a practical advantage over their sedan counterparts in that they can carry much more gear around – which often will include a big St Bernard or the like. However, not all wagons can say that they have the world’s best technology built into their engines and drive trains. Both Audi Avant versions have a sophisticated design template enabling the wagon to cover the ground in a very accomplished and polished manner. Full time 4WD means that the Audi A4 Avant has plenty of grip in reserve. And, when being pushed through the corners, the car feels very safe and soundly planted on the road.

With a swift 2.0 TDI engine, the A4 Avant diesel is smooth and willing. There is 105 kW of power and an impressive 320 Nm of torque between 1750 rpm and 2,500 rpm. On the road, this equates to excellent passing power and load carrying ability that is performed in an efficient and refined manner.

Switch your focus to the 1.8 TFSI petrol engine, and you’ll also be impressed with how economical this power plant is too. An average of around 7.5 litres/100 km can be expected, while the performance genes inside the motor are quite capable of pulling the wagon along at 220 km/h or completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in around 8.5 seconds. Each new Audi A4 Avant has three driving modes: comfort, auto and dynamic, which simply adds to the Audi A4 Avant’s driving pleasure.

The pleasure of owning an estate as good looking as this one is not only in how elegant the Audi lines are. The build quality and the sensational interior comforts are admirable too. From a practical side, of the Avant shines out on a long weekend away or at those moments when you need to take the school cricket team down to the local park for a game. The added luggage capacity of the wagon over the sedan is quite substantial. An Audi A4 Avant is 4703 mm in length, 1826 mm wide and boasts a wheelbase of 2808 mm. This pops the Audi A4 Avant well ahead of its other rivals for space and interior room.

Seating is very plush, and the interior design beautiful. You really will impress your colleagues with how nicely laid out the dash design is. I know it’s only my opinion, but the overall blend of sportiness, luxury and design flair are perfect inside the Audi A4 Avant cabin. And of course, the Audi A4 Avant comes with many premium features as well. Traction stability control, an alarm, air-conditioning, premium leather seats, satellite navigation, an optional phone system, and a classy CD system paint a fashionable picture.

Safety is second to none. Front seatbelt pretensioners, front seatbelt load limiters, a driver’s front airbag, a front passenger airbag, side body airbags and side head airbags are all there. ENCAP crash test results for the 2008 Audi A4 gave the full five stars, placing the Audi A4 Avant at the top of its class. Audi’s side assist is a feature that uses radar sensors to monitor the car’s blind spot and the traffic situation behind the vehicle. The light in the exterior mirror informs or warns you if side assist considers a detected vehicle to represent a hazard if you were to change lanes. Also available is the optional advanced parking system with rear-view camera. This feature shows you the area behind the car in the MMI display. Digital guidelines in the display make parking even easier. Very clever. Very impressive. And not to mention straightforward to use.

A winner that all people will enjoy: the Audi A4 Avant – impressive to the core.

The current model series includes the:

• Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI
• Audi A4 Avant 1.8 TFSI

For any more information on the Audi A4 Avant, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!) we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Audi dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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