Audi’s A4 got a comprehensive mechanical and A6-style cosmetic update in
2012.
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The range opens with the 125kW
1.8-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol/six-speed manual TFSi sedan at
$52,700. A continuously variable transmission Multilronic in Audi-speak — version is $55,500.
The 130kW 2.0-litre direct-
injection turbodiesel with Multitronic is $57,900.
Avant (wagon) equivalents cost
$58,700 and $60,900 respectively, with the Multitronic transmission standard in
both.
The 2.0 turbodiesel cruises
nonchalantly through the traffic, often ticking over at only 1500rpm or so.
When you get busy with the accelerator, its seamless integration with the
Multitronic delivers more effective, efficient drive than a conventional auto.
The 1.8 TFSi petrol engine
cruises quietly and easily through traffic or on the highway, but its 2.0-litre
rival from BMW and the Mercedes 1.8-litre turbo are slightly more powerful.
The 155kW 2.0-litre lurbo
quattro/six-speed manual TFSi, is priced at $61,700. The price rises to $64,500
for the seven-speed automated manual S-Tronic, or $67,500 for the Avant.
This drivetrain is easily the
pick of the A4 range.
The 2.0-litre turbo hauls like
a tractor from low revs, and just keeps pouring it on, with impeccable smoothness
and deceptive ease, to 6000rpm.
The 2.0TFSi's telling advantages
are S-Tronic and quattro.
The former gives you fast,
smooth shifts, in S mode or in a nanosecond when you flick a paddle. Quattro
allows you to gel on the gas, as hard as you like, when driving out of a
corner, while the car stays welded to the road. As a bonus, the A4 also has
comfortable, compliant ride.
The 2012 update's electric
steering is another step forward. It's lighter, more responsive and consistent
in feel than the previous A4's hydraulic system. When il bites and the car
turns, the body stays fiat and properly balanced, while the suspension deals
with whatever rubbish the road throws at it. You have to go in very hard, fast
and deep to induce the sort of understeer you used to get in an A4 when you
weren’t even
trying. The brakes are superb.
You can choose adjustable
suspension as an option in the A4 but the standard setup works just as well 99
per cent of the time.
Audi’s cockpit-style dash layout is quite
traditional in style and everything is easy to find. Fit and finish quality are
outstanding.
There's plenty of front-seat
travel for long-legged drivers and height/reach adjustment for the wheel.
Rear-seat legroom is more
generous than a Mercedes C Class but tighter than a BMW 3 Series.
As usual from Audi, the boot
is huge and has a 60/40 split-fold rear-seat extension.
The A4 lineup also includes
a150kW 3.0-litre turbodiesel front wheel drive Multitronic at $68,900 ($71.900
Avant) and a 180kW quattro variant at $88,000.
Top of the range is the 200kW
3.0-litre supercharged V6 quattro S-Tronic, at $93,400.
It s always been a close
contest in this category, but at base model level the Mercedes C Class leads,
both on the road and as a value for money proposition.
The Audi A4 2.0TFSi quattro,
though, is a standout drive and great value for money, particularly against the
BMW 320i/328i.
THINGS WE LIKE
2.0TFSi Quattro is a cracker
Responsive, fuel-efficient
engines
Good interior space
Quattro handling and grip
THINGS YOU HIGHT NOT LIKE
X Space-saverspare
X Base models are no match for
the Mercedes C Class
SPEX (2.0 TFSi quattro)
✓
Made in Germany
✓
2.0-litre direct-injection turbopetrol/seven-speed
S-Tronic/ all-wheel drive
✓
155kW of power from 4300- 6000rprn/350Nm of torque
from 1500-4200rpm
✓
0-100km/h in 6.5
seconds
✓
5.8L/100km highway; 8.8L/1 OOkrn city. 9b
octane premium. C0: émissions are 159gkm
✓
Warranty: Three
years/unlimited kilométrés
✓
Standard: Eight airbags, stability control. leather
upholstery, electric parking brake. 18-inch alloy wheels, navigation, automatic
air. Bluetooth, rain-sensing wipers, xenon headlights.
✓
Redbook future values: 3yr: 48%; 5yr: 33%
