So the A4 1.8T Quattro gets all of the essentials of a sports sedan right, does it live to its promise?  Absolutely.  Why else would we be on this twisty road?  Overall, the engine doesn't feel particularly punchy: 160 horsepower and 225 Nm of torque.  Those figures can easily be tramped by a small 6-cylinder engine or even a high-revving 4-banger.  What impresses us with the Audi's engine is the fat torque curve.  Like any boosted motor, the 1.8-liter unit in the A4 sums up its peak torque from as low as 1,950 rpm and shoves it past 4,700 rpm.  Aurally, it doesn't particularly feel engaging, but there's great thrust from just a small bleep of the throttle.  The gas pedal doesn't have a long travel, so red-lining the engine is easy.

It's great therefore that Audi plopped in a short-throw 6-speed manual to match the engine seamlessly.  We didn't like the response of the A4 with its CVT transmission whether it be powering the turbocharged 1.8 or the normally aspirated 2.0, but the manual does wonders to the A4.  It lifts the Audi's ho-hum driving experience especially with the clutch's positive engagement and the shifter's precise engagement.  This is the way manuals should be made.  The arm rest has been re-designed to make sure there's no banging elbows when flicking through the tranny--all the more making the A4 1.8T Quattro a very addicting driving machine.  For those not careful enough though, reverse is engaged by pushing the lever down and shifting into the first gear slot.  This may catch some people may surprise, but not us.

Equipped with Audi's trademark Quattro all-wheel drive system, the A4 dances through the curves with ease and poise.  The 17-inch tires rarely squabble for grip, but there's a hint of power sliding in the rear--meaning Quattro makes you feel safer without sacrificing the fun.  Through the corners, the cornering is flat with no body roll and neutral balance.  The steering feel is a bit detached and light, but steering is very linear and accurate.  The four-wheel disc brakes does a great job too of stopping the spirited Audi from any sort of mid-corner hijinks.  Pedal feel is excellent and firm with no fade.  The brakes though can sometimes feel overcooked (after a long, hard drive) so if you plan to take an A4 to the track, perhaps that's best left to the S4 and RS4.

Going back to the value for money equation, the A4 1.8T Quattro sets you back a cool 3.2 million pesos.  In comparison with its rivals, that puts it smack into 6-cylinder BMW 3 Series category.  However, the Audi does get a heavy does of high tech for the cash: automatic HID headlamps, dual zone climate control and even an 8-speaker Bose system are all standard in addition to the Alcantara/leather combination, aluminum trim, powered seats and of course the Quattro system--items either not available or additional options on the Bimmer.  For the upscale executive, there's little doubt that the he'd pick an automatic and a globally recognized blue-and-white badge upfront.  Those who know better though will opt for something a bit left field.  This is where the A4 1.8T Quattro shines.  It may have its shortcomings in terms of steering wheel and accommodations, but everywhere else the Audi shines.

If there's reason to believe that a manual transmission will do justice to an engine, here's a case in point.  The A4 still isn't the default choice nor the best in the entry-level luxury car out there, but in this guise, it has no competition.  In that aspect, you cannot escape the magic of this car.  And that's the reason why we're out there, in the middle of nowhere with it.  Our time with the A4 is almost up and as the sun is setting over the mountains of Antipolo, we're thinking the day is young and we're looking forward to the drive down.

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