The Audi A4 35 TDI was introduced after many eyebrows were raised after Audi launched the new A4 in India with just a petrol engine. The demand for diesel, though, seems inevitable and has led to the introduction of the smarter and more powerful TDI.
Story: Jim Gorde
Photography: Saurabh Botre
When a glacier the size of Manhattan is caught breaking off and falling away into the ocean, it hits home hard how we need to tidy up our act of living here. Diesel power is a genuine thing. Agreed, it has consequences, but so do all fossil fuels. Petrol may be refined and the engine may rev higher, but when it comes to lugging people around and building up a reputation for offering strong bottom- and mid-range oomph, diesel has proved to be the fuel of choice for many. Of course, price plays a huge role here. Even if the difference is marginal, most people choose the one which costs less. Although the gap in the pricing of petrol and diesel is narrowing, there are more than a few reasons why people choose one over the other.
Displacement may be at a stage where it’s going down and turbochargers are bringing numbers up, but for many here, it’s a measure of performance. “A 2,000-cc car will outperform a 1,400-cc one.” Similar to pitting one ancient SUV against a state-of-the-art hatchback, both of which produce 70 PS. Never mind. So, yes, the Audi A4 35 TDI in its B9 generation has arrived to much delight of diesel saloon seekers. What’s it like, then?
Sharp, chromed and sparkling with revitalised charisma, the Audi A4 35 TDI stood gleaming in the morning sun. It’s a dark shade of blue and it reflects the contrasting yet similar hued sky. The hexagonal grille is chromed to sparkle and that is joined by the LED light clusters that add their own dash of flair to the front-end appearance. It’s a handsome car, with the stand-out design elements complementing the smooth flowing lines. The build process has also been optimized to improve aero efficiency as well as reduce weight.
Inside, the light-themed interior lends the cabin a spacious feel with the quality of fit-and-finish and selected materials adding to the air of quality. The hexagonal shape of the grille is mirrored in the steering wheel garnish. The front seats are comfortable and offer good ergonomics and support. The Audi Virtual Cockpit is standard kit and is one of the most interesting elements in the car, making it seem years ahead of the competition. The configurable display shows the usual setup of dials, albeit in their digital forms, with the maps for navigation getting priority whenever needed. That makes it much easier to spot and means it’s less distracting for the driver. Always a good thing. The MMI Touch, Smartphone Interface and three-zone climate control add to the feel-good factor.
The rear is not the best in class room-wise, but it is extremely pampering once you settle in. Should it be used as a chauffeured car, moving the front passenger seat forward liberates more than adequate room. There’s a centre arm-rest and rear air vents that do a good job of maintaining the cool, perhaps when a hot-headed con-call needs to be handled on the move. It does make for a good business saloon, and that’s because Audi have given it just what a luxury sedan customer would ideally be looking for. They mean business, too.
