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The new generation Audi A4 and
S4 range
A bestseller has become even more
attractive: Audi has updated the A4 series. New solutions for
efficiency, driving dynamics and infotainment, along with an even more
attractive design, show the “Vorsprung durch Technik” achieved by the A4
Saloon, the A4 Avant, the A4 allroad quattro and the S4.
Design
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 (15.42 ft), while the A4 allroad
quattro and the S4 are 4.72 metres (15.49 ft) long. The
wheelbases for all models are 2.81 metres (9.22 ft), and the
width is 1.83 and 1.84 metres, respectively (6.0 and 6.04 ft).
The height varies between 1.41 and 1.50 metres (4.63 and 4.92 ft)
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.
Engines –UK engine line-up
details TBC
The new A4’s drive system sets new
standards. The consumption levels have dropped by 11 percent on average,
despite the increased power and torque of many of the engines. In the
UK, Audi will offer a choice of five diesel and four petrol engines for
both the Saloon and the Avant. All engines are supercharged
direct-injection systems; the start-stop system and the recuperation
system are standard throughout.
The TDI engines combine pulling power
with pioneering efficiency, with the four-cylinder versions presenting
extensive modifications. A new centrifugal pendulum-type absorber (in
the 2.0 TDI with 136PS, 163PS or 177PS with quattro drive) in the
dual-mass flywheel makes engine running even more refined and quieter at
low revs, for even earlier upshifting and better fuel efficiency.
The most economical variant in the
model family is the Audi A4 2.0 TDI with 136PS. In the Saloon, this
engine helps the car achieve 67.3mpg on the combined cycle – a CO2
equivalent of just 112 grams per km. The new A4 2.0 TDI with 163PS, also
optimised for maximum efficiency, achieves 64.2mpg. This equates to 115
grams CO2 per km. Both engines are available for the Saloon
and the Avant.
In addition, two other four-cylinder
diesel engines are available – with 143PS and 177PS. They can also be
ordered for the allroad quattro, apart from the entry-level version.
Three V6 TDI units complete the line. The 3.0 TDI with 204PS (not for
the allroad quattro) is the most efficient six-cylinder engine in its
class worldwide; in the A4 Saloon it helps the car achieve 57.6mpg on
the combined cycle. The second variant, the 3.0 TDI, generates 245PS.
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 170PS and 320 Nm (236.02 lb-ft) of torque, and
impressive economy figures of 50.4mpg and 134 grams CO2 per
km. That is an efficiency improvement of 19 percent compared with 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 120PS. The 2.0 TFSI – as the only spark-ignition engine
also available in the A4 allroad quattro – delivers 211PS. At the top of
the line is the 3.0 TFSI in the sporty S4, which develops an impressive
333PS.
Drivetrain
The wide range of drivetrains is
typical of Audi. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the
Saloon and Avant models with front-wheel drive; most variants offer
continuously variable multitronic as an option. The quattro versions
have either the manual transmission or the seven-speed S tronic on
board. The A4 allroad quattro employs a manual transmission or S tronic
with all engine versions.
The innovative thermal management
system shortens the warm-up phase of the manual transmission, among
other things, and thereby reduces friction loss. All transmissions are
distinguished by convenient and precise operation, high efficiency and a
wide spread of gear ratios – the long ratios in the higher gears reduces
fuel consumption, while the short ratios in the lower gears benefit the
dynamics.
The quattro permanent all-wheel drive
is standard on the A4 allroad quattro, and available in the Saloon and
Avant from the 2.0 TDI with 177PS. The A4 family uses the self-locking
centre differential here. In regular driving operation it primarily
transmits the engine torque to the rear wheels in the ratio of 40 to 60.
If necessary, redistribution occurs within the shortest possible time.
The torque vectoring function supplements the work of the centre
differential with finely incremented brake applications, to make
handling even more precise and safer.
In the V6 quattro variants Audi offers
the sport differential as a supplement, lending maximum precision and
high traction to the A4 when cornering at the handling limits. The
high-end component actively distributes the power between the rear
wheels as required.
Chassis
The chassis of the A4 is striking with
its sporty precision, high ride comfort and superior safety. 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.
The electromechanical power steering is
new in all models of the series. The direct gear ratios convey precise
road contact; slight brake applications counteract pulling to the side
on unevenly slippery surfaces. The electromechanical power steering
requires no energy for straight-ahead motion, thereby reducing fuel
consumption. This is equivalent to a reduction in CO2
emissions of up to 7 g/km.
Another high-end feature that gives the
A4 a special status in its class is Audi drive select. In the basic
package, the driver can switch the characteristic of the accelerator,
the shift points of the automatic transmission, the power steering and
the automatic air conditioning between the four modes “comfort,” “auto,”
“dynamic” and “efficiency.” If there is an onboard navigation system,
the additional “individual” mode is also included.
Further modules are optional – adaptive
cruise control or the cruise control system, the sport differential, the
suspension with damper control and dynamic steering. By means of a
superposition gear, the gear ratio is adjusted in a continuously
variable manner depending on the driven speed; at the handling limits
small interventions compensate for understeering and oversteering.
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.
All A4 variants roll off the assembly
line on elegant aluminium wheels, starting from 16 inches in size. The
line of option tyres ranges to 19 inches with 255/35 series tyres. Four
of the 18 available wheels are new designs. The A4 allroad quattro
offers four independent designs.
Assistance systems
Audi offers highly developed assistance
systems for the A4 family, for making driving even more relaxed.
Standard on all variants is the new driver information system with break
recommendation – it detects and draws the driver’s attention to
deviations from typical driving behavior on the basis of steering
motions and other parameters.
The adaptive cruise control assistance
system keeps the A4 at a constant distance from the preceding vehicle at
speeds between 19 and 124 mph. If the threat of a rear-end collision
becomes imminent at speeds below 18 mph, the system will execute a full
brake application. Audi active lane assist helps the driver stay in
lane. A camera detects the lane markings and the system makes slight
corrections to the steering if necessary. Audi side assist monitors the
space behind the A4 by radar and detects any vehicles in the blind spot,
for example.
Infotainment systems
Audi offers a whole kit of
state-of-the-art infotainment systems for its A4 series. The chorus CD
radio with eight speakers is standard, while the MMI navigation plus
system with large hard disk, colour monitor, 3D graphics and DVD player
forms the top of the line. Voice control and the optional digital audio
broadcasting (DAB) are further improvements to the system.
The high-end supplement to the MMI
navigation plus system is the Bluetooth online car phone. Via Audi
connect, the system provides special services in the car, such as
voice-controlled Google searches for points of interest (POI) and
navigation with Google Earth pictures, along with Google Street View.
Audi online traffic information (available in 2012), another such
service, gives the driver the latest news on congestion along the
selected route. The WLAN hotspot, another feature of the Bluetooth
online car phone, allows passengers in the A4 to surf the internet and
send emails as they please with their mobile devices.
The Audi S4
The Audi S4, available in the Saloon
and Avant versions, employs the most powerful engine in the line – the
3.0 TFSI with 333PS and 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) torque. The
Saloon can achieve 35.3mpg despite impressive acceleration of 0 to 62mph
in 5.0 seconds and an electronically-limited maximum speed of 155 mph.
The modified Audi S4 is identifiable
from the changes to the headlights, the bumpers, the air inlets and
colours. The interior also contains subtle changes in appearance. The S
sport suspension and 18-inch wheels featured on the S4 deliver
outstanding road grip.
Prices
UK specification and prices will be
confirmed in the next few weeks, but are expected to be similar to the
current A4 range.
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