CFP Automotive information and reviews

Car Reviews

Audi A6 Avant -- a Wagon That Fits Like a Finely-Tailored Suit

By Jim Bray

4/9/07

For me, it was love at first drive. And it was a four wheel drive station wagon!

Not just any wagon, mind you. The Audi A6 Avant, the wagon version of the Audi's A6 sedan, is one of those rare beasts: a car that feels as if Audi had taken my measurements and crafted the vehicle with me in mind. Is it any wonder that I was captivated?

Audi's S Models Perform at Classic Track Event

By Jim Bray

Monday, October 23, 2006

Stirling Moss. Jackie Stewart. Mario Andretti. Jim Clark. Richard Petty.

These legendary racers have all topped the podium at Mosport, the legendary Canadian race track that, like Watkins Glen in the U.S., hosted F1 and Indy Cars years ago.

The challenging track is still busy, and on a rainy day in early October the 2.5 mile road course saw a gaggle of media types participating in the Canadian introduction of Audi's 2007 model line, including the exciting new S8 and S6.

By Jim Bray

Monday, July 31, 2006

It may have a nose only a mother could love, but Audi's flagship A8 L is one heck of a vehicle — a fast and luxurious car that'll please the well-heeled enthusiast and the hedonist at the same time.

Available in V8 and W12 versions, the German manufacturer's current flagship is big, smooth, powerful, extremely luxurious and, perhaps surprisingly for such a large car, a comparative blast to drive.

The hardest part of this reviewer’s job is to remain objective about a vehicle being tested and to screen your impressions though the economic filter of what price category the vehicle resides in. What if price was no object? Well read on.

Introduced last year as a 2004 model, the all new Audi flagship model A8L occupies the top rung on the corporation’s product ladder. With a starting price of just over $98,000, it certainly limits the prospective suitors. That being said, this top end luxury market has been growing in recent years and Audi has never really made any serious effort to penetrate this market.

With the A8L, there is more of a familial resemblance with the A4 than with the A6 and that is by no means a negative factor. The A8L has a handsome, streamlined profile and clearly projects a seductive Audi styling effort. The A8L at first glance appears smaller than it actually is. The only reason I can figure is that the roof line curving, combined with relatively short overhangs at the wheels, give the vehicle a more compact appearance.

For 2003, the attractive Audi A4 Avant (Station Wagon) joins the A4 model line up. The Avant continues with the same soft curvaceous styling that was seen on the revamped 2002 A4 sedan. The model reviewed here was a 2003 A4 Avant with the all aluminum 3.0 litre V6 motor mated to a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with Audi s’ legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Outwardly, the exterior dimensions of the Avant, are identical to the sedan. On the inside the Avant has slightly more rear seat volume and a whole lot more cargo space, as much as double that of the sedan. The rear cargo area has tie down netting to secure small loads and a nicely finished retractable cargo cover to hide your valuable belongings.