Audi A4 review

New Audi A4 Closes In On BMW 3 Series

All-New BMW Forces Audi To Pull Out All The Stops In This Facelift

A4’s Classic Look Little Changed From Old One
rating: **** out of 5

For – high quality, drives well, wide choices, improved economy
Against – anonymous looks

Audi, Volkswagen of Germany’s luxury subsidiary, has revised its mainstream A4 model, and although it might not look very much different on the outside, it represents a big step forward in matching the driveability of the long-time champion in this class, the BMW 3 Series.

BMW has just unveiled an all-new version of its 3 Series, so Audi was under pressure to introduce compelling improvements to its mid-life facelift of its four-year old A4 to make a big difference to its performance and fuel economy.

Audi has achieved big improvements in the way the car handles, with suspension tuning and improved electromechanical power steering, while the company claims that fuel efficiency across the range has been improved by 21 per cent. But it’s hard to say whether it matches or beats the BMW. In truth, it would be difficult for most drivers to separate the leading contenders, including the Mercedes C class and soon the Cadillac ATS, and choices will be made as much on blind prejudice as a clinical evaluation of their respective merits.

The A4 range consists of saloon, A4 Avant estate car and S4 models.

In the Audi tradition, you would be hard-pressed to tell the new model from the old one, although you could argue that the simplicity of the design has morphed into a classic shape which is inoffensive from all angles.

Flat bottom
The interiors have been updated with newly designed steering wheels, including a flat-bottomed leather sports wheel. There must be a point to a flat-bottomed sports wheel, but I can’t for the life of me think of one. Many control elements are now framed in narrow chrome clasps. The steering column stalks and the ignition key have been redesigned. Nice.

The update has improved fuel economy, despite the increased power and torque of many of the engines. The Saloon and the Avant are available with a choice of six diesel and four petrol engines. Three engines are offered for the Allroad quattro. All engines feature forced induction and direct injection for tremendous pulling power, and all are linked as standard to the start-stop system.

 Four versions of the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel are available, and three of them use a new centrifugal governor in a dual-mass flywheel. This makes the engine more refined and quiet at low revs, allowing for earlier gear upshifts. The most economical variant in the model family is the 2.0 TDIe with 136 hp, which Audi claims is capable of up to 65.7 mpg, according to the combined cycle test. That’s the European Union test which gets its data from the laboratory not the open road, and makes sure the road is flat, the temperature ambient, the air-con is switched off, and there are no lard butts travelling in the car. The 163 hp engine manages up to 64.2 mpg in this test. These diesels have six speed manual gear boxes as standard.

Good day
Two other diesels – 143 and 177 hp –  are available with six-speed manual transmission or with automatic gearboxes. Two V6 diesels complete the line-up. The new 3.0-litre 204 hp diesel appeared first in the A6 and could deliver 57.6mpg. The second 245 hp V6 could get you 48.7mpg on a good day, Audi says.

The petrol engines include a 1.8-litre version with 170 hp  and up to 49.6mpg. The entry-level 1.8 litre 120 hp motor can get you up to 43.5mpg. There’s a 2.0-litre 211 hp engine too – see the details in the fact box. Four wheel drive is standard for the Allroad. As well as the six-speed manual, there are automatic choices too.

 Audi drive select can also control additional options including cruise control or adaptive cruise control, the sport differential, damper control and dynamic steering, when these are fitted. (When they are, watch the price zoom.) The latter continuously adjusts the steering ratio depending on the speed, and at the handling limits initiates small interventions to compensate for under-steer and over-steer. That has to be good news.  All front-wheel-drive versions of the A4 feature the electronic stability program (ESP) with electronic limited slip differential.

The more powerful S4, available in saloon and Avant body styles, features the top engine in the line-up – the 3.0-litre petrol with 333 hp. There are four specification levels: SE, SE Technik, S line and Black Edition.

Refined
The interiors of the A4 have also been refined, with new climate and infotainment controls and wood inlays. The switchgear, steering wheel and instrument panel have also been given improved chrome and high gloss look. This is one area where previous A4s have been competitive with the BMW 3 Series. The A4’s boot has 17 cubic feet of space, 34 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Allroad has 28 cubic feet, which expands to 50 cubic feet. You can opt for an electrically operated tailgate.

Transmission options include constantly variable automatic, seven and eight speed automatics, or the six-speed manual. The S4 and Allroad have four-wheel drive as standard. It’s an option on the A4.

Prices start at £23,625, then show a remarkable degree of acceleration.

(Audi provided one night at an hotel)

Neil Winton