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THE GOOD 12 v2.0 FOR 2009 – Part I

AUDI A4 AVANT
With a drastic wheelbase stretch, Audi has breathed new life into its already successful A4 range. One of very few models, luxury or not, to increase sales as it aged, the previous-generation A4 was a positive starting point for the new car. With styling that’s even more eye-catching, perceived quality that impresses at every touch, and that innocuous-only-at-first wheelbase stretch, the new A4 is worth every penny and more.
More specifically, the extra half-foot of wheelbase that provided a solution for traditionally front-heavy Audi dynamics also offered up more space in the cargo compartment of the A4 Avant. Avant is Audi-speak for wagons. At GoodCarBadCar.net, wagons are loved. If it looks good, drives well, impresses the neighbours, and allows you to chuck all your stuff in the back, The Good Car Guy calls it successful.
Audi didn’t fall back on Vorsprung durch Technik marketing spin or the merits of Quattro all-wheel drive with the new model. They pushed the envelope just enough to propel the A4 Avant into The Good 12 v2.0.
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Engines: 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder.
City Mileage: 21 mpg
Base USD Price: $34,500 
Anything Else? The A4’s 2.0L TFSI engine won the International Engine of the Year award for its category, engines from 1.8 to 2.0 litres.