Audi has given the A4 a makeover, and a hefty one too. The car is apparently still important enough to keep it up to date.
From the compact Q2 to the oversized Q8, many SUVs compete for the customer’s favor in the Audi showroom. Nevertheless, they have not forgotten the normal sedan at Audi, it is still a trusted value in the program. In fact, Audi has given the A4 a thorough update, which is quite a remarkable one. Usually, an interim facelift is not much more than a slightly modified shape of the headlights, a rearrangement of the rear light clusters or perhaps a slightly differently modeled fold in the bumper. This time, however, they have gone significantly further in Ingolstadt. Even the sheet metal has been adjusted. And the interior was also not untouched. It is remarkable that the metamorphosis also came about quite early in the life cycle of the model; at Audi we sometimes see complete model changes where the differences are smaller.
Piano paintThe interior of the A4 is neatly finished, although the piano lacquer panels are hypersensitive to dust, greasy fingers and scratches. In any case, the layout of the Audi interior is sleek and businesslike. The operation is set up logically; it takes little effort to find what you are looking for. Remarkably, with the major update, the hefty, and especially very pleasantly working multimedia controller in the middentunnel has been dropped. The MMI now works purely with the touchscreen. Pity! What is also striking is that in the digital dashboard, which can be arranged according to your own judgment, a prominent place has been reserved for the battery meter of the MHEV system, but that a fuel gauge is not automatically displayed – it is only there when you use it via the on-board computer calls up. And to think that you can not do much with the battery information (you cannot plug in), while in our opinion it is essential to always have a clear picture of how large the remaining fuel stock is! Regardless of the version, as a driver in the Audi you have more than enough space, with a fairly low seating position. The headroom is not left in the back. For a car weighing nearly half a ton, that is substandard. It is the direct result of the sloping roofline. We know from experience that the headroom in the estate car versions is better organized. The trunk of the Audi measures 460 liters.
Power tourAt Audi they are serious about downsizing; the dark gray A4 in this test has a two-liter turbo engine, which peaks at 190 hp. In addition to a turbo, it is equipped with a double injection system (depending on the circumstances, it can be injected directly or indirectly), while the valve control is set up in such a way that the power stroke is sometimes longer than the compression stroke (a kind of Miller cycle). And if that’s not enough, the A4 has a 12V starter generator, making it a mild hybrid. In short, nothing seems crazy enough to keep consumption and emissions to a minimum and still maintain the performance. The Audi engine can already deliver its maximum torque of 320 Nm from 1,450 rpm and maintain that up to 4,200 rpm. The latter is also the speed at which the maximum power of 190 hp is reached. That peak power then remains available up to 6,000 rpm. That seems like the characteristic of an electric motor. Acceleration is therefore very smooth, there always seems to be enough pulling power available. The electronics allow the S-Tronic DCT transmission to upshift in no time, revs are barely made. And that directly benefits comfort. In any case, this has been a point of attention at Audi; the engine is barely audible. It is a pity that the gearbox quickly switches back a few steps as soon as you press the accelerator slightly, leaving the available torque at low revs for what it is. This is not necessary from a comfort point of view.
Pay extraThe Germans give an average consumption of only 5.8 l / 100 km for the A4 40 TFSI, which is neat. With 190 hp, the Audi has more than enough power to accelerate quickly. However, the chassis is the boss of the drivetrain. The Audi is equipped with a sports suspension and Continental ContiSportContacts round 19-inch alloy. That gives him a cartload of grip; the car does not seem to burn out of the corner. But unfortunately it is not very communicative; the A4 will certainly not be a razor-sharp sports car. And comfort does not benefit either, while the control is quite distant. We know from experience that the normal chassis is more pleasant. Finally, the A4 does not protrude above ground level in terms of safety features. Its braking distance is fine, but Audi has to pay extra for things like road sign recognition.