Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak: Audi's shiftless front-driver

Fourtitude has a short take on the Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak, the latest non-quattro version of Audi's best-selling sedan.

he 2006 A4 2.0T that recently showed up at our front door was not only a front-driver, it was also equipped with Audi’s multitronic automatic transmission. Optional with the base engine and standard on the V6, multitronic is a sophisticated CVT, or constantly-variable transmission, and is the only automatic offered on non-quattro A4s.

In most ways, the FrontTrak car is no different than its Quattro siblings. The real difference is in the way multitronic operates. Rather than having a conventional gear set, the CVT uses a pair of stepless cones connected by a heavy-duty chain to continuously change the input-to-output ratio.

There are several theoretical advantages to a CVT. Since there are no gears to change, power delivery is uninterrupted, resulting in a smoother riding experience for both driver and passengers. The transmission also keeps the engine in its peak torque range for optimum acceleration and maximum fuel economy.

Starting at $28,840, the 2006 A4 2.0T FrontTrak is among the most affordable Audis. Fully loaded, or test car came in at $35,810, which still keeps it competitive among its European peers. But this A4 is more than just a decent entry-level German sedan; it’s a rolling display of some the most advanced automotive technology available today.

GermanCarBlog, Audi A4

Source: Fourtitude

Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak: Audi's shiftless front-driver

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