72 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 14 AUGUST 2019
he r e ’s b e e n a n A ud i
A4 saloon since 1994.
We’re now on the fifth
generation, which was
l au nc he d i n 2 01 5 w he n it w a s bi l le d
as the most efficient, refined and
high-tech one of all. No surprise
there, but it takes nothing away from
t he f a c t t h at e a c h ge ne r at ion of A 4
has played its part in establishing
the model as a serious player in the
family saloon class.
Among the current A4’s many
attractions are a level of build quality
that on occasion eludes its rivals.
It has a clean and unostentatious
appearance that buyers find
appealing. And rather than
excelling in one or two areas,
it’s satisfying across most.
It replaced the fourth-
gen model that ran
from 2008-15. Their
registration years
aside, you may
s t r u gg le t o t e l l t he
two apart. Our tip
i s t o lo ok for t he
kick in the baseline
of the later car’s
headlights.
Fortunately, under the
skin, the game had moved
on rather more. For example,
t h a n k s t o it s ne w, a lu m i n iu m-r ic h
platform, the later model is 120kg
lighter than its predecessor, despite
being larger. It’s also better to drive,
more luxurious and features more
technology.
At launch and later in 2016 there
was the usual f leet-friendly mix of
punchy 2.0-litre diesels, one of them,
the 148bhp Ultra, being capable of a
then-claimed 74.3mpg. But there was
a l s o a 14 8bhp 1. 4 T F SI p e t r ol a s w e l l
as a 187bhp 2.0 TFSI. All bar the 1.4
were available with optional seven-
speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic
ge a rb oxe s. To d ay, on t he u s e d
market, the numbers of manual and
auto ’boxes are evenly split, but there
are around 50% more diesel-powered
A4s than there are petrols.
Higher up the range were quattro
v e r sion s of a mor e p ow e r f u l 2 .0 T F SI
making 249bhp, a 3.0 TDI V6 with
215bhp and another making 268bhp,
this time with a Tiptronic gearbox.Of all the versions, the humble
148bhp 1.4 TFSI represents real
value for money, but don’t look for a
2019 car – last year it was dropped
and replaced by a 148bhp 2.0 TSI.
Meanwhile, there are lots of keenly
pr ic e d 14 8bhp 2 .0 T DI U lt r a s a nd
not all of them at silly mileages. If
you have a caravan or boat
to tow, choose one of
the powerful quattro
d ie s e l s. I n 2 017 t he
349bhp S4 surfaced.
The quattro system
keeps it planted but
a BMW 340i is a
more engaging car.
The range was
updated early this
year with all engines,
bar the new S4 3.0 TDI,
now being 2.0-litre affairs.
Other changes included updated
infotainment and Audi’s Virtual
Cockpit made standard.
Throughout, SE has been thegateway trim, and given the A4’s
mo de s t a bi l it ie s , pr e t t y muc h t he
only one you need thanks to its
xenon headlights, sound-deadening
windscreen, parking sensors,
tri-zone climate control and a well-
equipped infotainment system. Sport
adds a few more luxuries, but sporty,
body-kitted S line serves only to
r e m i nd y ou t h at y ou shou ld h av e got
t h at 3 S e r ie s M Sp or t.
Audi’s compact executive saloon has an enduring appeal. John Evans finds out why
Latest model
g r ew i n s ize b u t i ts
weight came down
T
AUDI A 4
JAGUAR F-TYPE COUPE 5.0
SUPERCHARGED V8 R AUTO AWD
£6004 deposit, £1001 per month, 48 months,
8000 miles per year
Good-looking and thunderingly fast, this is an
intoxicating proposition. And when you just want to
cruise along (relatively) discreetly, it’ll do that, too.
BMW 750i XDRIVE
£4405 deposit, £734 per month, 48 months,
8000 miles per year
If you’re a chauffeur in a tight spot, you’ll be glad you
bought this 750i over any other rival limo. The big
Beemer is not only comfortable and super-refined but
it also handles really well.
FO R D M U S TA N G FA S T BAC K 5 .0 V8 G T
£3714 deposit, £619 per month, 48 months,
8000 miles per year
The big ’Stang is the real deal – in V8 form, at least.
We’ve quoted for the manual version here, not
the 10-speed automatic, for its greater sense of
interaction ’twixt driver and machine.
TOP SPEC PICK
BLACK EDITION
This trim gives the
conservatively styled A4 a
s h o t of p iz z az z , w i th 1 9 i n a l l oy
wheels that do little for the ride
but which look great, piano
black detailing and
privacy glass.
AS GOOD AS NEW
BIG V8s BEST LEASE DEALS