Our Four Seasons Audi A7 has been in motion almost every day since it arrived here two months ago, and already has traveled to three corners of the country. A big chunk of this month's miles were put on by journalist David Brancaccio, who drove from New Jersey to California on assignment for American Public Media's Marketplace. His mission was to drive across the country without interacting with another human, in a bid to see whether robots and computers really have taken jobs from average Americans.

I come from an Audi family, and spent the better part of a year driving a previous-generation 2007 S4 sedan with a six-speed manual. My mother also looked at the current S4 before ultimately buying a 2012 A4 2.0T, so I was elated when I was handed the keys to a six-speed S4 for the weekend. Unfortunately, the elation quickly faded after slipping behind the wheel. It was the same steering wheel from our old S4, but the car was nearly unrecognizable as an S4. Yes, it is still deceptively quick and can be a luxurious tourer when asked to be. But the new 3.0T supercharged engine (yes, it's supercharged not turbocharged, ignore what you think that "T" means) is too quiet and doesn't give the same kind of aural thrill that the old 4.2-liter V-8 gave even on normal acceleration. I've heard the 3.0T make good noises, but it was under full throttle in an S5 Cabriolet with the top down and equipped with the quick-shifting DSG gearbox. The S4 has lost its heart -- not just in the literal sense of Audi replacing the 4.2 with the 3.0T, but also in the sense that it is now just a cool and mechanical machine.

Our 2012 Automobile of the Year -- the swift, elegant, and luxurious Audi A7 -- has the perfect engine for the times. The supercharged V-6 gracefully merges performance and efficiency, with its 5.0-second 0-60 mph time and 28-mpg highway fuel economy. Yet a luxury sedan of this caliber also makes a natural host for a V-8, a fact that we acknowledged in our story when we wrote, "A dealer friend of ours tells us that some customers are skeptical of the A7 because it doesn't have a V-8. They shouldn't be. The muscular six makes this sleek Audi as fast as it appears."

Not quite a sport-ute yet not exactly a wagon, the Audi Allroad is an automobile with an identity crisis. It makes no pretense of being an off-roader, but its hiked-up stance and rugged-look body cladding ask for something other than pavement under the tires. It is a car with more capability; a truck with less compromise. It is a crossover -- if that word wasn't already owned by the breed of taller SUV apologists.

Once Audi's new Q crossover range strategy is in place, the brand will offer no fewer than seven different Q models. Says chairman of the board Rupert Stadler: "The SUV segment keeps on growing. This is a trend not only in China and North America, but also in Europe. Because Audi wants a share of the action, we are going to expand our crossover line-up."

Audi has a real winner on its hands in the 2012 A6. The car looks great inside and out, and it drives very well to boot. Audi used to be an also-ran in this segment, and now it sits at the top of the luxury mid-size sedan class. BMW has lost the intimate connection between car and driver in the current 5-series, and Mercedes doesn't offer nearly as nice of a cabin in the E-class as Audi does in the A6.

Three years doesn't sound like a long time, but that's exactly how old the Audi Q5 is. Seeing as an all-new model is due for another three years, the time is ripe for a mid-cycle update -- and that's exactly what was bestowed upon the 2013 Audi Q5.

How much stuff will fit into our Four Seasons Audi A7? Tim Jennings, husband of editor-in-chief Jean, tested that by filling the A7's hatch to the brim on a recent trip to the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida. The Audi's cargo included several pieces of luggage, a set of golf clubs, a golf umbrella, four hats, and one Keurig coffee maker won at a silent auction.

We don't bestow our Automobile of the Year award on just any vehicle; cars worthy of the endorsement typically demonstrate technical innovation, a large improvement over the outgoing model, or some sort of wow factor not found in other cars. The Audi A7, however, drew our attention and our acclaim because it is the pinnacle of the excellence we have come to expect from Audi. From its gorgeous styling to its exquisite interior and from its potent engine to its outstanding in-car electronics, the A7 impressed us in every way.

Don't call it an MPV: Audi is preparing a new A4-based high-roof model that eclipses the current A4 Avant. It may be badged as A4 Sportback, or possibly as A4 Avantissimo, like the A8-based luxury wagon concept shown back in 2001. However, it will most likely be called the A4 Superavant because that's what it effectively is: a new type of estate car which is significantly roomier as well as more flexible but just as sporty, elegant, and driver-oriented as its more mainstream sister models.

If you were the proud owner of a luxury convertible and you lived in the snowy Midwest, late January might seem like the perfect time to drive your droptop to Miami, Palm Springs, or some other sun-baked locale.

Audi has been deliberately rolling out the latest evolution of design chief Walter de'Silva's new style across its models, starting with the A8 flagship sedan, and on down the line to the A6, A5 coupe, and A4. Now it's the 2013 Audi A3's turn to shine at the 2012 Geneva show, and the changes make the all-new A3 look right at home with the rest of Audi's refreshed lineup.

Audi has released full details and photos of the 2013 RS4 Avant ahead of the car's debut next month at the Geneva Motor Show. As was expected when photos of the car leaked earlier this week, the 2013 RS4 Avant shares its feisty powertrain with the 2012 Audi RS5 coupe.

Sportier than a Porsche Boxster, not much more expensive than a Volkswagen Scirocco: Audi readies the third-generation TT. Due in 2014 as a 2015 model, the next TT will be even more dynamic and performance-focused than the model it replaces. Although the MkIII version won't close the gap to the R8 supercar, it does move further up-market, thereby reducing the terrain for the proposed -- and now almost definitely canceled -- mid-engined R5 developed by Porsche. The sports car maker, which may become part of the VW family before the year ends, has always kept a close eye on the iconic TT that rivals the Boxster/Cayman twins. Although the next TT will increase the pressure by offering a fresh look along with an even wider range of equipment and drivetrain options, Porsche has already threatened to strike back with entry-level models powered by an all-new four-cylinder boxer engine.

Slipping behind the wheel of the A5 after walking off a whirlwind five flights in three days I was surprised that our tester was a base-level car with the only option of xenon headlights. Once the jetlag subsided, it turned out that I was quite wrong: this A5 was a mid-level Premium Plus car with almost $8000 in options, retailing for nearly $48,000. It just goes to show that the A5's design is gorgeous no matter how it's optioned and will easily deceive onlookers on how much you may or may not have spent. However, I look forward to the revised car due next year for the interior - while it is very well executed, the black plastics on the center console and stack have always struck me as cheap-looking and too abundant for the interior of a premium luxury car.

After teasing us for years, Audi is finally bringing its little Q3 luxury crossover to an American auto show, but only as a concept. Called the Q3 Vail Concept, it’ll see American shores for the first time at the Detroit show.

The A4 is Audi's best-selling car, topping the brand's sales chart in the U.S. and selling over five million examples worldwide since 1994. To help keep the car fresh and demand high, Audi is sprucing up the A4 and its performance sibling, the S4, for the 2013 model year.

Audi's smallest model line has now grown an extra pair of doors. The five-door A1, dubbed the A1 Sportback, is poised to reach European showrooms after the first of the year.

Choosing The Winners
What's the best car? Everybody wants to know. It's a difficult question, really. There is no single best car. But when you drive as many different new vehicles as we do, people expect you to have an answer, and we do. The best new car introduced in the past year is our Automobile of the Year. For 2012, the winner is the Audi A7.

Sometimes, the Automobile of the Year is a dramatic about-face for its manufacturer. Other times, it is a car that breaks new ground technologically. Some years, it is a spectacular upgrade from its predecessor. This year, it's none of those things.

The A7, which went on sale this past spring as a 2012 model, is effectively an A6 Avant with a sloped roof, so it shares its mechanicals with its more conventional sedan sibling. The only powertrain available is a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive -- enough ammunition to shoot this gorgeous sportback to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. As its badge suggests, the A7's options list is halfway between that of the A6 and the A8, including driver assistance systems such as lane-departure prevention, infrared night vision, a head-up display, and an automatic parking system that can squeeze the big A7 into -- and out of -- tight parking spots. The optional Bang & Olufsen sound system costs a shocking $5900, and all-LED headlamps will set you back a serious $1400. You could easily spend a small fortune on this Audi. Unfortunately, the A7 seats only four, but the back seat is surprisingly airy and spacious, and the entire cabin is finished beautifully. The liftgate is enormous and, one would suspect, heavy -- but it's power-operated, so opening it is as simple as touching a button. As in the A6, the A7's MMI infotainment system can incorporate Google Earth into its maps and uses Audi's touch pad, which allows you to spell out navigation destinations with the tip of your finger.

The idea of a premium entry in the small-wagon category seemed strange back in 2006, but the A3 makes sense to enough buyers to have stuck around all these years. The A3's continued existence is certain proof that there are enough places in the United States -- in large cities, for instance -- where space is at a premium and small but versatile cars make sense. Often, those urban buyers are wealthy enough to afford a vehicle like an Audi A3. Even now, when carmakers are adding more and more luxury features to their small cars, this upscale compact hatchback remains the only vehicle of its type. The A3 is based on the last-generation Volkswagen Golf, which used to be its only competitor. Now, however, the Lexus CT200h has entered the ring, and its hybrid powertrain produces huge fuel economy numbers. The A3 is far quicker than the CT200h, though, whether equipped with the turbocharged gasoline engine or the turbo-diesel. Both engines are available with the VW Group's benchmark dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the turbo is also available with a six-speed manual. The ace in the A3's pocket is its available all-wheel-drive system, a feature no other car in this segment offers. And as nice as the Lexus is, we think the diesel-powered A3 is a more engaging, more luxurious way to break into the 40-mpg club.

You might think that living in the BMW 3-series' shadow would be tough, but the Audi A4 looks no worse for the wear. In fact, its great looks -- inside and out -- are the hallmark of this luxury car. And if indeed the Audi is even second to the BMW these days, it needs to apologize for nothing. The rear-wheel-drive Bimmer is still the easy choice for driving purists, but the A4 is a brilliant alternative for realists. Audi was among the first to the downsizing-for-fuel-economy party, and the A4 comes with an unusually refined turbocharged four-cylinder engine that plays surprisingly well with many of its competitors' sixes -- in fact, Audi claims the A4 is the "biggest, fastest, and most-fuel-efficient vehicle in the sport sedan category." And if being merely fast isn't enough, there's the blisteringly fast S4, which uses a supercharged V-6 and all-wheel drive to terrorize its competitors. The sexy A4 Avant station wagon is available solely with all-wheel drive, but base sedans can be had with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. Four-wheel-drive models come with a six-speed stick, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (S4), or an eight-speed automatic (A4.) The most important option, however, is the $850 Bang & Olufsen sound system, which transforms the stunning Audi into a rolling concert hall.

Since the A5 shares its running gear with the A4, you shouldn't be surprised that it uses the same engines -- a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder hooked to Quattro all-wheel drive and a choice of a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. That concludes the simple part -- from here on out you need to pay close attention. You can also get a front-wheel-drive A5 with a CVT-equipped four-cylinder, but only in convertible form. If you're looking for something with more power, it really starts to get complicated: the S5 convertible shares the S4's 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But if you want an S5 coupe (rather than a convertible), you get a normally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8 with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. We're confused, too. The convertible bucks the folding-hard-top trend and uses a multilayer fabric roof. It's better-looking than its competitors, and the soft top takes up less trunk space. Both the coupe and the convertible offer seating for four actual life-size human beings, and, like all Audis, the A5 has a beautifully finished interior with lots of luxurious amenities.

Like its predecessors, the newest A8 sedan features aluminum construction to keep weight down. Since making its debut in 1997, every A8 has been a study in perfect proportions, and this one doesn't deviate from that lineage. It has received some criticism for not looking "different enough" from the lesser Audis, and the droopy LED daytime running lights inside the headlights have been likened to the eyelids of an anesthetized cat, but the A8 is still a very pretty car. Its interior is elegant and modern, with a boat-themed shifter that is, unfortunately, cumbersome to use. All-wheel drive remains standard equipment -- no surprise as the A8's main German competitors (the BMW 7-series and the Mercedes S-class) now offer many all-wheel-drive variants. A few inches longer than the last A8, this is now among the bigger cars in its class, in both short- and long-wheelbase versions. The base V-8 engine uses direct injection (but no forced induction -- unlike most of Audi's other engines) to eke out 372 hp from only 4.2 liters of displacement, and with the help of a well-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission, forward thrust is considerable. For obscene forward thrust, the W-12 returns this year, enlarged by a third of a liter to 6.3 liters and producing 50 more hp than before. The truly impatient can look for the S8 to return later this year with a twin-turbo V-8 that produces 520 hp and is capable of a blistering 4.1-second run to 60 mph.