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I've been a bad boy. In Sicily to drive 's newest sedans and Avant wagons on the historic Targa Florio circuit, I should have tested a 2.0-liter turbo or 3.2-liter V-6 model-new engines and the heart of A4 sales in the U.S.

But there sat a silver , driveline unchanged, still 4.2 liters and 340 bhp through Quattro all-wheel drive. It was calling to me. How could I resist?

You would have done the same.

It was all you'd expect, hard-driving paradise, carving along 40-some rural miles of an ever-turning two-lane. The likes of Phil Hill, Brian Redman and the renowned Nino Vaccarella racing the Targa Florio in their Cobras, and were heroes. Period.

By comparison, we were toying along in the S4, which was as impressive as you'd expect, the V-8's power easily played out through all-wheel drive, nicely balanced even when the road might jink left, then right, surprising you with a slick asphalt patch halfway around. And the S4's great brakes equal confidence.

The A4? Even in rural Sicily its restyling had farmers and kids on Vespas noticing us. Apparently the last A4, though only four years old, was considered too conservative, so it was sent back to the studio to be made more exciting and bring its image in line with newer Audi models.

First it needed a facelift. To some the tall, yawning mouth will be a nice reminder of Audi's Nuvolari concept car, to others the comparison will be with a soon-to-be cooked sea bass, but in any case it draws attention.

Side lines of the new A4 draw tighter over the car's bones with a beltline that emphasizes a slight wedge. As always, Audi does an excellent job of drawing the body down around the wheels for a solid stance on the road. Around back things are simpler and while some might argue it looks elegant, others might consider it plain. Once again, Audi styling looks as good on the wagon as it does on the sedan.

Audi owners will have no trouble recognizing the interior. A new steering-wheel hub repeats the grille's shape and the optional satellite-navigation system is a thankful half-step back from the confusing multi-menu electronics plaguing several contemporary German cars.

As always, the overall feeling inside is of elegant simplicity and quality.

The new sheet metal surrounds what is basically carryover architecture and suspensions, the latter unchanged in concept, but taking on revised tuning with new shocks, bushings and, in some cases, pieces from the new A6. The 2.0-liter cars have 16-in. wheels and tires, the V-6s use 17s, while the S4s are on 18s.

The A4's interior continues the theme of affordable, understated elegance.

The best news is on the engine list, the 1.8-liter turbo four is out to 2.0 liters and the 3.0 V-6 increased to 3.2. Both engines now have direct fuel injection (though not stratified charge) and nice bumps in power. The 2.0 jumps from 170 bhp to 200, torque climbing a significant 41 lb.-ft. to 207 and on hand from 1800-5000 rpm. Audi claims the 0-60-mph time drops from 7.8 seconds to around 7.1. For V-6 fans, power is upped by 35 to 255 and torque from 221 to 243 on a generous curve, the 0-60 time trimmed to 6.5 sec., though it feels even faster...could it be the encouraging exhaust note?

Transmissions with the four are a 6-speed manual or CVT with front drive. Quattro awd is paired with the manual or a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic with the four or V-8. The V-6 is auto only.

The added torque is welcome in the four, but invites a measure of front-drive torque steer under hard acceleration. Hey, it's an Audi, it deserves Quattro, though that's admittedly tough to justify the cost in mild climes.

The sweetheart of the range is the V-6, lovely exhaust thrumming in the background, all-wheel drive playing out the power so evenly.

Timing? The 4- and 6-cylinder models arrive in February and the S4 in March with prices that will start at just over $26,000, the V-6s somewhere over $32,000, with around $48,000 for the S4...which can turn you into a bad boy.

This Is A Developing Story

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