FIRST DRIVE: AUDI A4:AUDI HAS, over the decades, gone from being essentially a two-model manufacturer (one medium and one large) to one with a sizeable range of niche cars, showing plenty of imagination in the process.
When it comes to its most successful car, however, it’s a case of more of the same. The revised A4 – arriving just in time to fend off the threat from the new BMW 3-Series – sees subtle changes to its profile but it remains every inch an A4.
In doing so, the offer has been improved. It now has improved and more efficient engines, better levels of specification and efforts have been made to ease the car away from its conservative looks.
You need to look hard to spot the styling changes: most are at the front, taking cues from the bigger A6. For example, the shape of the front lights, the grille and the bonnet all imitate its larger sibling. However, apart from a few other minor changes – there is a more pleasing flow to the bonnet shape and the bumpers have been re-shaped – it is pretty much business as usual.
All of which makes sense when you consider that Audi’s biggest market is now China, where it sold 248,000 A4s in the past year, an increase of 38 per cent on the previous year. This market is only getting used to the Audi look so when you have a a very successful formula don’t mess with it.
Under the metal skin there has been more significant changes, however. A more efficient climate control system, an electro-mechanical steering system that draws virtually no power when the car is being driven in a straight line and improved aerodynamics are all credited with contributing to fuel savings of up to 11 per cent and the reduction in emissions by 18 per cent.
The 2.0 litre TDi (the car most Irish buyers will be eyeing up) emits only 112 grams of CO2 per kilometre, which is very impressive given the capacity and power of the engine. However, a claimed fuel consumption of 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres seems incredible and we will have to wait for a full road test to see if an eyebrow needs to remain raised.
Internally, changes have also been made but these are subtle enough and they almost need your attention drawn to them. Trims have been improved and there is a better choice of colours. The information display has been made less complex and now has a basic four buttons instead of six. One of the most impressive changes has been to the quality of the display and functions.
Using Google Maps, the satellite navigation system we used was the best we had ever seen. The car can now have its own Wi-Fi hotspot that allows passengers to use up to eight separate devices at a time (this really spells the end of “I Spy” car journeys with children) but the combined navigation and Wi-Fi come at a price. While we don’t have the final cost for the feature on the new A4, it’s a €3,000 option on the A6.
The driving experience is not as precise as that of a BMW 3-Series, but this has never been the case with the A4. The former has rear wheel drive and the latter front wheel drive. For all that, the A4 feels as solid as ever. The 2.0 litre TDi is still a bit of a boomer at lower speeds and is at its most pleasant when cruising. It is interesting to note that BMW’s main challenge to this engine is going to be a 1.6 diesel, in terms of customer choice.
The 1.8 petrol TFSi is the main alternative to the diesel and it provides the difference one expects between diesel and petrol. It is smoother and less noisy but won’t provide anything like the fuel savings needed for a car that is likely to be a high-mileage workhorse.
As a medium-sized executive car, the A4 presents a strong challenge in terms of standard equipment. All cars get 17” alloy wheels, park assist, a multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth and a driver fatigue alert that sounds warnings if the car begins to veer suddenly. Oddly, though, the package that includes cruise control and windscreen rain sensor costs extra. With our much improved road network, one would expect an invaluable tool like cruise control to be part of the basic specification.
The 2.0 TDi will go on sale at €34,800 and the 1.8 petrol will go on sale at €37,260. Some 70 per cent of the cars sold are expected to be diesel cars with the 120hp capacity. However, you will have to go up to the 143hp version if you want an automatic gearbox, which seems to me to be a rather unnecessary and expensive limitation. There will also be an Avant estate version (Lidl and Aldi fleet managers are very keen on them apparently) and four-wheel-drive versions too.
The revised A4 will go on sale a week before the BMW 3-Series arrives next month and you will be hearing plenty from both manufacturers in the meantime.
FACTFILE
ENGINES2.0 TDi producing 120, 130 or 143hp and entry level 1.8 TFSi petrol producing 170hp.
FUEL CONSUMPTION4.3 litres per 100km for smaller diesel engine and 5.7 per 100km for the basic 1.8 petrol.
EMISSIONS112 grams per kilometre for the basic diesel and 134 for the basic petrol.
PRICESFrom €34,800 for the diesel and €32,770 for the petrol.