The Audi A4 gets a brand-new face and a host of new features, all of which make it a good-value-for-money proposition
Audi reinstated their new design philosophy with the new a5, the traces of which are clearly visible in the multi-layered front design of the new a4.
This entry-level luxury sedan has recently got a quick facelift, as the company kept a keen eye on the newly launched Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the forthcoming all-new BMw 3 series.
The big change in the a4’s version 2012 is the entire treatment on front design, which now looks more up-to-date and modern. the Leds now flow along the headlight unit and boomerang back, giving the sedan a menacing form. if you look hard, you’ll also notice that the bumper has new air dams, the bonnet gets a tweak and the front grille is a little smaller like newer audis. the rear end of the sedan gets a new bumper and re-profiled tail-lamps, but the side profile remains identical to the outgoing model. it is evident that the ingolstadt-based engineers have been careful not to upset the basic appeal of the car that has been appreciated by buyers in india and all over the world.
Audi have created a reputation for having the best interior in their respective segments and the a4 is no exception. so there aren’t any drastic changes in the a4’s cabin and it still gets the high-quality leather upholstery, ergonomically laid-out buttons, well-crafted interior and, most importantly, a good driving position. the dashboard layout is airy and well-appointed and you now get a sportier steering wheel, use of newer material and wood trim option, which make the cabin appear superior to the older model’s, bringing it closer to the more luxurious A6.
The seats are comfortable, especially the rear bench, which also makes it a good chauffeur-driven car, while the dedicated rear air vents and decent legroom further help the cause. the equipment level, keeping the segment in mind, is equally impressive. the MMi system becomes easier to use and has now just four operation keys. Park assist, aBs/eBd and esP with brake assist are also standard, but obviously this is not a quattro, not at this price. now you even have the option of selecting the audi drive select, which uses the efficiency mode to control air-conditioning and cruise control to accentuate fuel economy, depending upon the urgency of your accelerator input.
The old hydraulic steering gives way to a new electro-mechanical one, which reduces driving effort and saves fuel, as the system does not consume power when the vehicle is going straight. the other great aspect of going electric is that the steering has become more communicative and crisp. the ride quality is another highlight that has been tuned more greater comfort. However, at high speed driving over undulations does make the car wallow.
Powering the front wheels is a 2.0-litre TDI oil-burner, which is deceptively smooth throughout the rev range. While 320 Nm of torque kicks in just below 1,800 revolutions per minute and the leaner supply makes cruising a blissful experience both on highways and within city limits. The 1,968-cc diesel engine with direct injection and dual-mass flywheel is delightfully responsive and refined. While the VGT turbocharger irons out the lag, the icing on the cake remains the eight-speed multi-tronic automatic transmission that ensures you get the right ratio always for seamless driveability. Apart from having a placid temperament, the TDI motor is also quite frugal. We comfortably achieved over 18 kilometres per litre on the highway and managed to cross the respectable 13 kpl mark within city. Performance is not slack either, as the A4 sprints from 0 to 60 km/h in just 4.46 seconds and the needle crossed the 100 km/h mark in 10.32 seconds. Being a front-wheel driven car, the A4 gets the electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) with electronic limit slip differential, which improves handling and safety and, at the same time, gets rid of any torque steer. These new technologies in the new A4 make negotiating zigzags very enjoyable.
Although the new A4 is not starkly different from the outgoing model, the 2012 version retains some of the best attributes such as a luxurious interior, comfortable ride and an efficient engine. Moreover, it now dons Audi’s latest design language and comes with a range of new features that enhance driving dynamics and safety. It still is your trusted entry-level luxury sedan from Audi but in a very attractive avatar and is most definitely good value for your money at Rs 37 lakh (OTR, Pune).
Story: Sarmad Kadiri
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
