The 2022 Audi A4 S line quattro HITS the SWEET spot - SAVE THE SEDANS

It's been a while since I've driven an Audi sedan, in fact, it's been a while since I've driven any sedan save for the excellent Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing a few weeks ago. It made me pine for more, so I was suitably happy to receive a 2022 Audi A4 S-Line 45 quattro model in a very fetching Tango Red metallic. You'll no doubt remember that a few years ago Audi introduced its new model numbering system with a 2 digit number to denote the horsepower range. Since the new A4 models have more power than those ranges indicate, my tester simply had words A4 and quattro on the back. Keep it simple.  This does, however, make it tricky to discern if you have the base model 40 which has 201 horsepower or the 45 which has 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque mated to the excellent 7-speed DSG transmission. On top of that this 2.0 liter turbocharged 4 is fitted with Audi's 12v mild hybrid system which does away with the alternator/starter combo and sandwiches a small electric motor between the engine and transmission. A battery completes the system which allows the car to coast when you take your foot off the gas and makes it zippier too, providing improved off-the-line thrust. My tester was a Prestige model which adds $8,900 to the base model's $42,000 price tag, as well as several options checked such as the Black Optic Package $1,200 which includes Black exterior trim including the Audi rinds front and rear. Red brake calipers and a matte black grille complete the look and for an additional $800 my car was fitted with five-spoke 19-inch wheels and summer tires. Audi beam rings ($275) will display on the ground with the door open and the front seats have ventilation ($800) in addition to the standard heated chairs. CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro 1:00 Exterior 2:26 Cargo Space 3:36 Engine and Transmission 4:54 Rear Seat Space 5:39 Driving Impressions 8:52 Interior 15:44 More Driving 17:39 Verdict 2022 Audi A4 S-Line 45 quattro numbers BASE PRICE: $42,000 AS TESTED PRICE: $55,615 (Prestige Trim) VEHICLE LAYOUT: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan ENGINE: 2.0 liter turbocharged and inter-cooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4 POWER: 261 hp @ 6,500 rpm TORQUE: 273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic 0-60 MPH: 4.8 sec CURB WEIGHT: 3,700 lb CARGO VOLUME: 12 cubic feet TIRES: Continental SportContact 6, 245/35R-19 EPA COMB/ CITY/HWY:  27/24/31 mpg OUR OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY:  mpg PROS: Seamless acceleration, beautiful cabin, superb handling CONS: Limited trunk space