The A4 is Audi’s bestseller – for 39 years now and in its eighth generation. The brand has sold ten million such models in total. The A4, with its elegance, sportiness and emotional appeal, forms the centrepiece of the Audi brand. And now the design has become even more clearly defined and striking in all models – the Saloon, the Avant, the allroad quattro and the S4.
The new look further accentuates the horizontal lines at the front end. The engine hood is more arched, the upper corners of the single frame grille are tapered, and the cross ribs and the Audi rings are highlighted three-dimensionally. The grille is painted grey, with high-gloss black on the six-cylinder models or in combination with the S line exterior package. The redesigned bumpers are striking with their angular air inlets, their revised grilles and the flat front fog lights. The A4 allroad quattro is distinguished by its grille’s horizontal chrome applications and by the round fog lights.
The headlights have also changed, with a slight wave at the bottom edges, and a re-arranged interior. Xenon plus headlights are available as optional equipment or standard on S line models. The LED daytime running lights form a narrow, optically continuous band that remains open in the vicinity of the xenon lens. The adaptive light, together with dynamic and static cornering lights, are available as an option.
The tail lights reflect the shape of the headlights, and in combination with Xenon plus have homogeneous strips of LEDs. The bumper with its diffuser insert has been redesigned, with the exhaust system always terminating in two tailpipes.
The Saloon and the Avant offer the S line exterior package, while the Avant also includes a roof spoiler.
The modifications have changed the dimensions only by a few millimetres. The A4 Saloon and the Avant each have a length of 4.70 metres, while the S4 is 4.72 metres long. The wheelbases for all models are 2.81 metres, and the width is 1.83 and 1.84 metres, respectively. The height varies between 1.41 and 1.50 metres, depending on the body version.
Interior
The interior of the A4 models has also been refined. Audi offers a selection of new steering wheels with chrome and high-gloss inlays, with the leather sport steering wheel also featuring a flattened lower rim. The steering arm and the ignition key have been modified. High-gloss applications and the slender chrome trim at the controls add elegance to the interior.
The elaborate finish makes operation even simpler and more intuitive. The MMI navigation plus system now features four instead of eight buttons, with a shift function integrated in the volume control dial. Other improvements concern operation of the automatic transmission, the efficient air conditioning systems, Audi drive select and the multifunction steering wheel. The seat heating and air conditioning are now directly operated at the respective buttons.
The high level of workmanship is as much a matter of course for Audi as a sure touch in the range of colours. All interior colours – except black – have been re-coordinated. The upholstery range has also been revised, with Fine Nappa leather replacing Valcona leather. The new, single-part cluster trim has been adapted in colour to the interior, while the inlays are available in Aluminium Trigon, walnut dark brown and fine grain ash natural. Especially eye-catching is the Beaufort oak plywood inlay.
The interior of the S line sport package comes in black, and is refined with high-quality applications. 18-inch wheels or the optional 19-inch wheels and Sport suspension that lowers the body by 20 millimetres complete the package. S line sport suspension, which lowers the body by a further 10 millimetres, is also available as a no-cost option on S line models. Audi exclusive and Audi exclusive line offer further individualised options.
The A4 Saloon’s luggage compartment still has its 480-litre capacity – 962 litres with the rear seats folded down. The A4 Avant and the A4 allroad quattro have 490 and 1,430 litres, respectively, with Audi offering an optional electrically-operated tailgate for both models.
Updated engine
The A4 series also presents the latest state of the art in petrol engine technology. A new highlight of the TFSI family is the new 1.8-litre engine, available for the Saloon and the Avant. The four-cylinder engine delivers sporty thrust, with a power output of 168bhp and 320 Nm of torque, and impressive economy figures of 50.4mpg and 134 grams CO2 per km. That is an efficiency improvement of 19 percent, compared to the predecessor engine.
The new 1.8 TFSI engine features many innovations: in the control of its valves and their lift, in the novel thermal management system, in the fuel injection system, in the turbocharger and in the integration of the exhaust manifold in the cylinder head. The engine weighs 3.5 kilograms less and its internal friction has sharply decreased.
The entry-level petrol engine is the 1.8 TFSI with 118bhp. The 2.0 TFSI – as the only spark-ignition engine also available in the A4 allroad quattro – delivers 208bhp. At the top of the line is the 3.0 TFSI in the sporty S4, which develops an impressive 328bhp.
All front-wheel-drive versions of the A4 feature the electronic stability program (ESP) with electronic limited slip differential. In dynamic driving the system further improves handling and safety by initiating minimum brake interventions at the front wheel that is subject to a reduced load on the inside of the curve. The large wheel brakes – with ventilated front and rear disks in many variants – offer excellent stopping power and can be precisely modulated. The mounts of the rear suspension control arms and the characteristics of the shock absorbers have been even more finely tuned. Most of the components of the five-link front suspension and the trapezoidal-link rear suspension are made of aluminium.
