Audi's A4 compact-class sedans emerged in 2002 with new generational designs that expanded the structure and stretches the wheelbase to forge a larger package with more cabin space for riders.

In 2003 an airy drop-top variation showed up as the A4 Cabriolet with two powertrain options. For 2004 Audi adds a new quattro AWD version to the convertible to create the A4 3.0 quattro Cabriolet, while the sedan gets a racy S4 quattro special edition. The S4 quattro stocks Audi's 4.2-liter V8 pushed to 340 hp and linked to a six-speed manual or new six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. It has large front brakes, xenon HID headlamps and 18-inch AVUS cast-alloy wheels with 235/40 high-performance tires.

Also, the exterior for S4 varies from other A4 sedans with large front air intakes and a double grille mounted up front, aluminum mirror housings on flanks and a spoiler on the trunk. Special paint colors apply, such as Imola Yellow or Goodwood Green. Inside, ultra-sport seats of Recaro design are clad in leather, while the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel holds Tiptronic shift paddles for hands-on gear changes.

Entry issue in the A4 series is the 1.8T sedan with a 1.8-liter turbo plant in FrontTrak format linked to a manual five-speed gearbox. In addition, Audi offers its multitronic CVT shifter. To ensure tire traction on pavement, A4 1.8T is available with Audi's quattro system and this year it brings a new six-speed manual transmission as the standard.

Audi also casts the A4 sedan in luxury mode as the A4 3.0. This version is fired by an aluminum-block 3.0-liter V6 that generates 220 hp. A4 3.0 quattro gets either a manual six-speed or five-speed Tiptronic automatic. A4 Cabriolet stocks the 1.8-liter turbo plant in FrontTrak format or the 3.0-liter V6 with FrontTrak or new quattro traction.

The fabric-lined convertible top has three layers for insulation plus a rear window constructed from glass and imbedded with a defroster element. Top opens and closes by either a manual mode or optional semi-automatic power.

Automatic Rollover Supports (ARS) are also aboard the convertible. The bars, lurking behind backseat headrests, will deploy instantaneously if on-board sensors detect potential vehicle rollover movement.

Audi's compact two-door machines appear as a slinky sports coupe or daring convertible roadster with roly-poly styling and curvy skin stretched tautly over exaggerated wheels.

The FWD TT 1.8T employs a 1.8-liter turbo four of long stroke design with dual overhead cams and five valves per cylinder. It's rated at 180 hp and connects to a five-speed manual transmission or optional six-speed manual. The AWD quattro TT massages the same engine, although inter-coolers are also attached to pump up a juicy 225 hp.

And a new quattro edition extracts 250 hp from that plant and sends it through a DSG shifter. This most powerful TT wears 17-inch wheels capped by performance tires and sports a taller tail spoiler, plus bigger brakes and a modified exhaust system. It also adds shifter paddles to the steering wheel.

The TT cockpit is a creative exercise of form following function. Machined aluminum rings dotted by eight circular indentions simulating screw marks show up in multiple locations, such as a clamp for the stick shifter's leather boot.

Also, the silvery metallic theme continues with metal bezels ringing analog gauges in the instrument panel and dash control buttons, plus an aluminum cover over the face of audio controls and perforated stainless steel foot pedals studded in rubber. Xenon HID headlamps light a bright path for all TT models this year.

Audi's designers tried to blend two seemingly disparate concepts of a curve-craving sports sedan with a mud-loving sport-utility vehicle -- one a sleek pavement speeder that slinks snugly against asphalt, the other a boxy off-road machine hiked high in suspension to clear rough stuff on a trail. The vehicle produced by this mix is called allroad. It's a cool scheme based on Audi's A6 avant but with different body panels and protective armor cladding, plus a luxurious passenger compartment draped in supple leathers, hardwoods and touches of satin-finished aluminum. And it comes with Audi's quattro AWD system.

This year Audi doubles the allroad models by creating a high-powered version that joins the base allroad quattro 2.7T. Called the allroad quattro 4.2, this new wagon gets the 4.2-liter V8 out of A8L and S4. In this installation it produces 300 hp and puts it through a five-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The entry-issue allroad quattro 2.7T edition uses the bi-turbo V6 of A6 2.7T. The plant makes 250 hp, with all torque scored by a six-speed manual or optional five-speed Tiptronic.

As a bridge between a low-slung pavement cruiser and high-clearance SUV, the allroad quattro applies the magic of a height-adjustable suspension that moves the chassis up or down to one of four levels. The cabin has two front bucket seats divided by a center console and followed by a rear bench with twin indentions for two but wide enough for three. A third bench, facing the rear and sized strictly for children, is optional and can be removed.