It was an all wheel drive system so impressive that Audi dominated motorsport for many years.  It was so good in fact it ultimately led to all-wheel drive being banned from touring car racing. In 2000 Audi again showed its innovative dominance by winning the Le Mans 24 hour race in a diesel engine car.  Audi's technical innovation, build quality and design have thrust the brand into an impressive position worldwide.

They're also plunging their branding iron into the Australian psyche, snatching a significant share of the market from the incumbent Mercedes and BMW marques.  It's not just a one off fling either; buyers are coming back for more year after year.  As techno blogger and entrepreneur Chad Keck raved "my 2010 Audi A4 S Line has just arrived and I'm LOVING it!  Never believed I could love it more than my beloved '09 A5....."

It was our turn recently to absorb the Audi "experience" and test an A4 S line sedan.  Sliding into the very firm German ergonomically designed seats is like slipping into an Armani or Chanel suit for the first time - it takes just a moment to get used to, but gee it's comfortable, looks great and simply feels like it will last forever.

Audi have "ways and means" of making you enjoy the ride.  From the cocooning all black interior (including black headlining in S line) with extra dark tinting on side windows to the concert tones of the optional B&O sound system.  The reassuring "clunk" of the door locks as you drive off also reminds you that you're not allowed to get out before the ride is over.

Our test car was a 2.0 TFSI quattro with the optional ($6,200) "S line" sport package.  The 2.0 litre turbocharged engine in the A4 is rated at 155kW, generates 350Nm of torque and drives a seven speed dual-clutch transmission (S tronic in Audi speak).  Audi quote 6.5 seconds for 0-100km/h acceleration and 7.5 litres per 100km (combined fuel consumption).

Among the standard inclusions in the 2.0 TFSI quattro are:
 • full keyless entry and start
 • front and rear park assist
 • rain sensing wipers & dusk sensing xenon headlights
 • Multi function steering wheel with paddle shifts
 • Bluetooth
 • 3 zone climate control
Not just cosmetic bling, the S line package also gives you 20mm lower sports suspension, 18" alloys (instead of the standard 17's), sports front seats and a multi-function sports wheel.  Not forgetting the mean looking set of LED day running lights which give you an A4 with a very commanding presence.

Safety features are headed of course by the quattro system but also include dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags and full length side curtains.

The 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic in basic trim will cost you $81,792 (drive away) in Western Australia.  Our metallic paint ($1,695), satellite navigation ($3,390) and B&O sound system ($1,589) plus the S line package take the total drive away price to $95,521.  When the time came to give the A4 back we very reluctantly handed over the key and began to feel a strange numbness on our necks.  The Audi microchip had been implanted and we hadn't felt a thing!

Test conducted February 2010
Vehicle supplied by Audi Centre Doncaster