Audi A4 (2001 - 2005)

Code name B6. Second generation A4 on new platform with classy look about it. More leg and head room. Better ride quality. Better driving environment. Yet similar dimensions to the old A4 at 14' 8" long by 6' 1". On sale in UK from March 2001. Avants arrived autumn 2001 weighing 1,485kg.

Engines included a new 130bhp balancer shaft 30 valve 2.0 litre; the old 150bhp 1.8T; a 170bhpe 2.4 V6; a new 220bhp 3.0 V6; a 130bhp 1.9 litre TDI PD; a 155bhp 2.5 litre V6 TDI and a 180bhp V6 TDI for Quattro versions. Five and six speed manual gearboxes. Multitronic automatic option.

High equipment levels thoughout the range. All A4 B6s come complete with electronic climate control, ABS, EBD, ESP and alloy wheels.

Excellent Four Star 30 point rating in NCAP occupant protection crash tests. A4 TDI 130PD emits 149g/km CO2 putting it into the then lowest diesel VED bracket and also benefiting company car drivers. TDI 130PD can be combined with steering wheel pushbutton change Multitronic CVT transmission. 102bhp 1.6 litre model from September 2001 priced at £17,640.

06-06-2002: Small power boost for 1.8T from 150bhp to 163bhp, while standard 155bhp 2.5 TDI V6 also went up to 163bhp.

Powerful new 344bhp 4.2 chain-cam V8 engined S4 saloon or Avant (photo) for 2003 gets to 60 in 5.3 seconds, is speed limited to 155mph, gets there very quickly, costs from £35,995 and offers a really great drive.

New 190bhp 1.8T two wheel drive or quattro six-speed saloon or avant, does 0-60 in 8 seconds and 147mph from early 2004, prices £22,025 to £24,575. Replace lower powered 1.8T. 18" wheels with 235/40 ZR 18 tyres. Part leather seats.

EU4 115PS 1.9 TDI PD 5-speed replaced 100 in June 2004. 285Nm torque at 1,900rpm, 0-60 in 10.9, top speed 124, combined mpg 49.5, CO2 151g/km. Saloon from £19,840, Avant from £20,990.

Seventh most reliable car in 2001 Fleet News Survey of 620,000 fleet cars mostly under 3 years old. Joint third top of 2002 Which reliability survey; came out 98% fault free; 83 cars surveyed. Average for breakdowns, problems and faults in 2003 Which survey. Which? used best buy £10,000 - £15,000 2004. A4 B6 9th most reliable car in 2005 Warranty Direct Reliability Survey with 16 repair claims per 100 cars. Link:- www.reliabilityindex.co.uk