The Audi A4 is now in its fifth edition. The main changes have come from Audi’s focus on refining the driving experience. With gains in efficiency, comfort, handling and pushing forward again with the piloted driving technology.
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To look at, there isn’t a tremendous amount of difference from the outgoing model, it is slightly longer and a little more masculine, and featuring the smooth lines that Audi have become synonymous with in recent years. It’s undoubtedly a smart looking car, and the new model brings the interior up to date to match the exterior, as I would say this is where the outgoing model had started to show its age. The 12.3” virtual cockpit first released in the new TT is available as an option, and I genuinely can’t recommend it enough. After becoming so used to having this technology in my day to day car, when I now get into a car that doesn’t have everything at your fingertips, it feels so outdated and cumbersome. But the interior changes don’t stop there; Audi has entirely redesigned the centre console and dashboard with the new configuration oozing class, style and refinement.
The infotainment system has also had a massive overhaul, which is immediately apparent when you look at the dashboard-mounted screen. Featuring HD graphics and controlled by a touch sensitive pad just in front of the gear system, entering information for the navigation system and telephone is as easy as drawing the line with your finger. The navigation system uses Google maps and loads incredibly quickly due to the newly upgraded processor and could give the most technically advanced computers a good run for their money.
One of the biggest complaints of the old A4 was the handling and that the steering tended to feel slightly numb. This has certainly been addressed with the new model, and it is not only pleasant to drive but fun too. The sharper steering gives you much more feedback, and despite its size, it still feels very agile. With the comfort suspension you feel entirely connected with the road, without feeling like your teeth are about to fall out when you hit a bump or pothole-strewn bit of road, and it also feels safe and confident when driving in icy conditions, easily superior to its closest rival the BMW 3 series, which from experience you may as well pop it into the garage at the first sign of snow and leave it there until spring has sprung. As always, Audi offers its Quattro four-wheel drive setup on some models in the range.
This ensures there is still loads of grip and helps keep the car stable when you’re driving it hard, but the standard front-wheel drive option should be more than enough for most buyers. A new traffic-jam assist system will guide the car through slow-moving traffic at up to speeds of 40mph and at more pedestrian speeds of up to 8mph it potentially allows for hands-free driving, with the car maintaining land discipline on its own on well-marked roads. Further Piloted Driving technology is available and an advanced adaptive cruise control system which uses the navigation to increase or decrease the car’s speed to maximise fuel economy without direct input from the driver. Audi claims this system makes the A4 up to 10% more fuel-efficient.
Launching with seven new or hugely revised engines, three petrol and four diesel options, there will be something to suit most buyers. I drove the 2.0l TDI Ultra 190 PS. It packed enough punch to make it fun to drive but also averages a pretty amazing 71 mpg. It boasts smooth power delivery at all speeds and is beautifully quiet. Audi has also managed to practically eliminate all road and wind noise, adding to the feeling of quality and refinement that shines through in the new model. The CO2 emissions tip over the 100 g/km mark which mean you to have to pay road tax on the 190PS model, but it is currently only £20 per year. The 148PS 2.0l diesel is free, in comparison, making both varieties a good call for those looking to save on fuel, tax and benefit in kind taxation for company cars.
Audi has an excellent reputation for building good looking, reliable and dependable cars, with a wide variety of engines, trim levels and optional gadgets and gizmos. The fifth generation A4 is once again furthering that reputation.
