2009 Audi A4 Avant

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What is it?
2009 Audi A4 Avant

What's special about it?
Nothing special here really unless you're into wagons. If that's the case, then the 2009 Audi A4 Avant might be of interest.

As you would expect, this A4 Avant is essentially a next-generation A4 sedan with a new, slightly more useful wagon configuration. The wheelbase has been stretched by 6 inches and the overall length is up to 185 inches, about 5 inches longer than before.

The extra size opens up a little over an inch of extra knee room in back. Audi says there's more head-, shoulder and legroom, too. The rear seats come standard with a 60/40 split and a ski/snowboard pass-through. There's also a reversible cargo floor and a power tailgate available.

Once again, Audi's stylists managed to make the A4 Avant one of the best-looking wagons around thanks to shorter overhangs, relatively slim D-pillars and sharp five-spoke wheels. In Europe, base models will get 16-inch wheels standard, but expect U.S. models to arrive with at least 17s.

Under the skin, the A4 Avant is identical to the sedan. There's a five-link suspension up front made of aluminum while the rear suspension is a variation of the multilink design used in the A6 and A8 sedans. A driver-adjustable sport suspension will be offered called Audi Drive Select. It not only allows you to fine-tune the dampers, it simultaneously adjusts the steering and throttle settings as well.

U.S-bound versions of the A4 Avant will come with a four-cylinder engine only. Audi hasn't confirmed the specifications of the new engine, but it's said to have significantly more torque than the current 2.0T. It will be hooked to a standard six-speed automatic transmission and send power to all four wheels. Audi's dual-clutch S-Tronic transmission will not be offered.

Sales of the 2009 Audi A4 Avant in the U.S. start this fall. Prices are expected to remain roughly the same as the current model, so figure around $30K to start.

What's Edmunds' take?
Another good-looking, all-wheel-drive wagon from Audi. Too bad most U.S. buyers will still get an SUV instead. — Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line