Please note: This story first appeared in the Spring 2002 issue of the Quattro Quarterly magazine.

I've been looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the new 2002 A4 for a long time, well before the new model was even announced. The 3.0 came first for a seven-day review, followed by the 1.8t for ten days over the Christmas holiday. Both were equipped with manual transmissions (6-speed for the 3.0, 5-speed for the 1.8t), the Sports package with non-standard Dunlop Winter Sport tires mounted on the 17" wheels, the Premium Package, Glass Sunroofs, and heated seats. The 3.0 was equipped with Leather, Bose, and Xenon lights, and includes memory power seating as part of the Premium Package.

Please note: This story originally appeared in the Spring 2002 issue of the Quattro Quarterly magazine.

Audi's mid-range A6 lineup has been given a slight facelift for the 2002 model year. Most updates and improvements are beneath the skin and not visible to the eye, such as new door seals and thicker glass, which contribute to a better-insulated cabin and reduce outside noise. Updates to the suspension, electronic components such as the Servotronic steering and ESP round out the non-visible updates to the A6 range. Visual updates include the addition of visible dual-exhaust tips that add a more sporting accent to the rear of all A6 models, updated taillight design, Audi's new signature double radiator grill on all models, new headlight design, new six-disc in-dash CD changer and other slight updates to the interior.

Please note: This story first appeared in the Spring 2001 issue of the Quattro Quarterly magazine.

"Do you think we can make it up that?"

Earlier in the day we had been testing Audi's new allroad quattro over small sand dunes and small mud bogs. It was able to handle these obstacles with ease, going over the loose sand and mud with little effort. The road that now lay before us was a different story. Ahead of us stood a rocky mountainside in Utah's west desert. One side of the mountain was littered with small boulders, the other fell off into a small canyon. As my friend and I looked up the mountain, the question going through our heads was whether or not the allroad would make it up this road reserved for the most hard core off-road enthusiasts, this was going to be the real test of the allroad's capabilities.