By Don Hammonds
It’s wonderful when you have a wealth of choices, whether it’s a menu at a terrific restaurant–or for a new automobile.
In the entry level luxury field, you have a number of excellent alternatives, and it’s not a matter of one being better than the other–it’s more a matter of knowing who you are and what you want to present to the world as you drive around in your new wheels.
Of course, Audi’s 2012 A4 appeals to the designer …

     By Don Hammonds
 You don’t need to be told that the auto market these days is a crowded one.
We don’t know of any niche in the market that hasn’t already been filled many times over, or any segment that’s been left unnoticed by carmakers.
But that means tons of money needs to be spent on marketing if terrific cars are to be noticed at all by the general buying public. And Audi’s really cool A3 2.0 TDI FWD S-Tronic, with a 140 …

 
By Don Hammonds
Audi’s cars have always spoken to the designer and artist in all of us. 
They have clean, crisp lines, incomparable interiors in materials and combinations that nobody else will touch. Though Audis have always been known for high quality, breathtaking performance, and top notch technology, in our view at Automobile Journal, it is–and probably always will be–sensitive, well-done aesthetics that will continue to distinguish Audis in the future. 
  A case in point is the all-new Audi A6.  It remains …

By John Heilig
SPECIFICATIONS  
 Model: 2011 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI FWD
 Engine: 2.0-liter DOHC turbocharged 4
 Horsepower/Torque: 200 hp @ 5,100-6,000 rpm/207 lb.-ft. @ 1,800-5,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed S-tronic
 Wheelbase: 101.5 in.
 Length/Width/Height: 169.0 x 69.5 x 56.0 in.
Tires: P225/45R17 (compact spare)
 Cargo volume: 19.5/39.0 cu. ft. (2nd row seats up/down)
 Fuel economy: 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway/27.3 mpg test
 Fuel capacity: 14.5 gal.
Curb weight: 3,296 lbs.
 Sticker: $35,250 (includes $875 destination, $5,725 in options ($1,100 sun roof, $2,050 navigation, $475 paint, $2,000 Premium Plus package)  
 Five reasons to buy …

 By John Heilig
 SPECIFICATIONS
   Model: 2011 Audi Q7 3.0T quattro Tiptronic
 Engine: 3.0-liter supercharged V6 Horsepower/Torque: 272 hp @ 4,750 rpm/295 lb.-ft. @ 2,200 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic with Tiptronic
Wheelbase: 118.2 in.
 Length/Width/Height: 200.3 x 85.7 x 68.4 in.
 Tires: P255/55R18
 Cargo volume: 10.9/42.0/72.5 cu. ft. (3rd row seats up/3rd row seats down/2nd row seats down)
Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway/18.8 mpg test
 Fuel capacity: 26.4 gal.
 Curb weight: 5,192 lbs.
 Sticker: $53,075 (includes $875 destination charge, $6,500 in options)
   Five reasons to buy this car 1. Excellent …

Don’t pay any attention to the calendar.

It’s 2011 already for car buyers, car nuts and everybody else who ever loved a set of new wheels.
And we at Automobile Journal have something new for you, starting with the new model year. It’s the Automobile Journal Buyer’s Guide, chock full of information, pictures, and lots of interesting news about all the new cars and trucks for this season.
 Over the next week or two, you will see batches of new stories about the …

Model: Audi S5 quattro
Engine: 4.2-liter DOHC V8
Horsepower/Torque: 354 hp @ 7,000 rpm/325 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic
Wheelbase: 108.3 in.
Length/Width/Height: 182.5 x 78.0 x 53.9 in.
Tires: P255/35R19
Cargo volume: 12.0 cu. ft.
Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway/22.8 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 16.6 gal.
Curb weight: 3,924 lbs
Sticker: $66,350 (includes $825 destination charge and $11,925 in options)

The Bottom Line: All the Audi goodies in a powerful package with great styling. Even though it’s a coupe, it has plenty of room and …

Model: Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Quattro MT6
Engine: 2.0-liter TFSI DO”HC turbocharged four
Horsepower/Torque: 211 hp @ 4,300-6,000 rpm/258 lb.-ft. @ 1,500-4,200 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 110.6 in.
Length/Width/Height: 185.2 x 71.9 x 56.2 in.
Tires: P245/40R18
Cargo volume: 12.0 cu. ft.
Fuel economy: 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway
Fuel capacity: 17.2 gal.
Curb weight: 3,704 lbs.
Sticker: $38,255 (includes $825 destination charge and $5,080 in options)
The Bottom Line: The A4 maybe near the bottom of Audi’s line of cars, station wagons and SUVs, but it isn’t at the bottom …

Just about any car enthusiast will tell you that some of the coolest cars on the planet–especially smaller ones–are sadly not available in the U.S.

The latest example of that is Audi’s all-new A1, which made its debut recently at the Press Days Event at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
Well-done, fun to drive, and full of interesting features, the A1 would, we think, make a really terrific addition to Audi’s U.S. lineup. But the company says no–at least for now.
Part of …

Image means everything when you’re introducing a new car, and manufacturers try to make sure that even the unveiling event matches precisely with the aura of the brand itself.
Given that fact, few could deny that Audi’s choice of Miami’s Design Miami/Art Basel Miami Beach” trade fairs were apropos choices for the car maker, which has produced a good number of models that could surely grace many a museum floor.
Few auto makers are so closely aligned with the pleasures of the …