Audi Adds Front-Wheel Drive, Manual A4

Audi is introducing two new trim levels for its entry-level A4 sedan, along with pricing. The new 2.0T FrontTrak is basically a front-wheel-drive version of the base A4, which comes with a 211-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The FrontTrak is now the base trim level and will start at $31,000.

That’s more than its closest rival, the Acura TSX ($28,960). However, that price does make it cheaper than the Lexus IS 250 ($31,155), Mercedes-Benz C-Class ($32,900) and BMW 328 ($33,400) — though those all come with six-cylinder engines. The base A4 gets 23/30 mpg city/highway, which tops the TSX’s 20/28 mpg.

The Audi A4 Quattro all-wheel-drive sedan will also now be available with a six-speed manual transmission in the 2.0T trim level. With the manual, the Quattro (Audi-speak for all-wheel drive) has a price tag of $31,850, which is $3,000-$4,000 less than all-wheel-drive variants of other entry-model luxury cars.

Both models come with typical luxury amenities such as a sunroof, leather seating and satellite radio standard. The new trim levels should reach dealer lots early in the new year.