The 2010 Audi S4 is a high-performance sedan available with one of two packages: Premium Plus or Prestige. Standard equipment for the Premium Plus includes 18-inch wheels with summer tires, a sunroof, automatic xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, foglights, automatic wipers, tri-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power sport seats, leather and faux-suede upholstery, heated front seats, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, Bluetooth, a dash-mounted Multi Media Interface (MMI) electronics controller and a 10-speaker stereo with single-CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
The available 2010 Audi S4 Drive Select Package adds adaptive suspension dampers, an enhanced steering system, a sport rear differential and selectable driving settings. Stand-alone options include 19-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, full leather seats and a power rear sunshade with manual rear side shades.
Powertrains and Performance The 2010 Audi S4 is powered by a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that produces 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through Audi's ubiquitous Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which features a 40/60 front/rear torque split. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual (S tronic) is optional. A sports rear differential (which varies torque between the rear wheels) is also available.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is above average for this class of car, with 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined with the manual.
Safety The 2010 Audi S4 comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a hill-holder for the manual transmission. Rear side airbags are optional.
Interior Design and Special Features The MMI controls are conveniently arrayed around the console-mounted shifter on models equipped with the navigation system.
Driving Impressions The 2010 Audi S4 is a sharp-handling car, with tenacious AWD traction and little body roll to speak of. We'd skip the optional Audi Drive Select system, however, as it makes the driving experience overly complicated -- and the standard suspension, throttle and steering calibrations are just fine. The new supercharged V6 doesn't yield the same knee-weakening auditory pleasure as the Audi S5's V8, but it sounds plenty spirited, and it boasts more torque and vastly better fuel economy.
Carbon-fiber trim for the door sills and body kit. Even with the least desirable powertrain -- the base 4.2-liter, 420-horsepower V8 coupled with the "R tronic" single-clutch automated manual transmission -- the R8 is one of the most scintillating sports cars on the planet.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Audi R8 is a two-door midengine exotic sports car offered in two trim levels that correspond to engine size: 4.2 Quattro and 5.2 Quattro. The 5.2 Quattro adds the V10 engine, a "hill-holder" feature for the conventional manual transmission, wider intakes and body sills, glossy (rather than flat) black exterior accents, napa leather upholstery with additional leather interior trim, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a navigation system and a rearview camera with front and rear parking sensors.
Most of the 5.2 Quattro's accoutrements are available as options on the 4.2 Quattro. Body-colored "side blade" exterior styling panels are also available in place of the standard contrasting side blades.
Powertrains and Performance The 2010 Audi R8 4.2 Quattro sports a midmounted 4.2-liter V8 -- clearly visible through the R8's distinctive transparent engine cover -- that churns out 420 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The power flows to all four wheels (56 percent to the rears by default) through either a traditional six-speed manual transmission or Audi's six-speed R tronic automated manual. The latter features a computer-controlled clutch and can be shifted using either the console-mounted shift lever or steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. R tronic also offers a fully automatic mode.
The 5.2 Quattro trims the 0-60-mph time to a blistering 3.7 seconds. Somehow the beefier 5.2 manages to be more fuel-efficient at 12/20/15 (manual) and 13/20/16 (R tronic).
Standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, seat-mounted side airbags and knee-protecting airbags.
Interior Design and Special Features Audi claims there's room behind the 2010 Audi R8's seats for two golf bags, although your results may vary.
Audi has dropped the 2010 Audi Q7's base 3.6 trim level.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Audi Q7 is a large luxury crossover SUV that seats seven passengers. There are three trim levels that correspond to engine choice: the 3.6 Premium (3.6-liter gas V6), the TDI Premium (diesel V6) and the 4.2 Prestige (4.2-liter V8).
The Premium Plus package adds xenon headlights, front parking sensors, a rearview camera, a navigation system (with voice control and traffic reporting), driver-seat memory settings and a Bose surround-sound audio system. The Q7 TDI has the 3.6 Premium features along with a monochromatic color treatment, 19-inch wheels and additional exterior chrome trim.
The TDI and 4.2 also offer a Luxury package with upgraded leather upholstery, an Alcantara headliner and ventilated front seats. Stand-alone options include fancier 20- or 21-inch wheels, a towing package, a cold weather package (which includes a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats), a panoramic sunroof, extra interior leather coverage and four-zone climate control.
Powertrains and Performance Although the power plants are capable, the Q7's beefy weight of 5,000-plus pounds blunts their performance. Fuel economy ratings for the 2010 Audi Q7 V6 stand at 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined.
Safety The 2010 Audi Q7's standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, a stability control system (with hill-descent control and rollover detection), traction control, active front headrests, full-length side curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags. Seat-mounted side airbags for the second row are optional.In addition, Audi's blind-spot warning system alerts the driver when another vehicle is along the Q7's side.
Driving Impressions Handling is good, especially with the available adaptive air suspension.
The 2010 Audi S4 is a high-performance sedan available with one of two packages: Premium Plus or Prestige. Standard equipment for the Premium Plus includes 18-inch wheels with summer tires, a sunroof, automatic xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, foglights, automatic wipers, tri-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power sport seats, leather and faux-suede upholstery, heated front seats, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, Bluetooth, a dash-mounted Multi Media Interface (MMI) electronics controller and a 10-speaker stereo with single-CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
