Remember, the A4 is the entry-level car for a European luxury brand, so all are well equipped, with a full compliment of power amenities. The standard-equipment list gets even longer for 2002, adding sophisticated anti-skid electronics (called ESP for electronic stability program), dual-zone climate control with charcoal filtration, concealed headlight washers and a 150-watt, 10-speaker stereo with six-CD in-dash changer. Standard safety gear includes antilock brakes, dual front airbags that deploy at different rates depending on the severity of a crash, front side-impact airbags, and curtain-style head protection airbags on each side of the cabin. Rear side-impact airbags are optional.

Actually, when you add Audi's trademark quattro system to the standard front-drive A4 1.8T or 3.0, you have four distinct vehicle choices. Quattro is one of the most sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems going, and one of Audi's most popular options. (Quattro adds $1750 to the retail price.) Factor in optional automatic transmissions, and there are seven variants. A new six-speed manual for the A4 3.0 is offered only with quattro (all front-drive 3.0 models come with an automatic).

Initially, the new A4 will be offered only as a sedan. An A4 Avant, or wagon, based on the new sedan will follow within six months, while a twin-turbo S4 high-performance sedan will arrive within a year. In the meantime, Avants (both 1.8T and V6) and S4s based on the 2001 A4 sedan will be sold side-by-side with the new sedan.

Other popular A4 options: power glass sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors, and built in Homelink garage door operator; a Sport Package ($750-$1000) that includes a sports suspension and 17-inch wheels; leather upholstery for the A4 3.0 ($1320); and Audi's GPS navigation system ($1,350). In early calendar 2002, Audi will offer GM's Onstar telematics system, including emergency locating and lock-out service, accident alerting, theft tracking and various concierge services.