24 | AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE
A
udi’s B9 A4 sedan range
opens with two front-wheel-
drive models. The 1.4TFSi
($56,100) runs the same 110kW
1.4-litre turbopetrol/seven-
speed dual-clutch S-Tronic
drivetrain used in the VW Golf.
The 140kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol
2.0 TFSi is $61,400 and the
Avant wagon is $64,400.
All-wheel drive is offered in
the 140kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel
2.0TDi quattro ($67,300).
Top of the range, and the
variant that has usually been
the pick of the A4s to drive, is
the 2.0-litre turbopetrol 2.0TFSi
quattro ($70,300, or $73,300
Avant), with 185kW of power.
Allroad models include the
2.0TDi quattro at $71,800 and the
2.0TFSi quattro at $74,800.
The S4 quattro sedan, with a
260kW 3.0-litre turbopetrol, is
$99,611; the Avant is $102,611.
The RS4 Avant arrives shortly,
with a 331kW 2.9-litre twin turbo
V6. As we went to press, pricing
hadn’t been released.
This A4 may look just like the
previous model, but there’s a
lot of brand-new technology in
this car, too.
When you begin to open
the driver’s door, you will be
warned of a car, or a cyclist,
approaching from the rear.
If you’re in danger of being
rear-ended by an errant texter,
the pre-sense system will pick
this up and the LED brake lights
will strobe frantically in an effort
to get their attention. Automatic
emergency braking, blind spot
warning and rear cross traffi c
alert are also standard.
A $1900 Assistance Package
includes Turn Assist, which
will actually stop you executing
a right turn if it detects an
approaching vehicle from the
other direction at close range.
If you’re about to whack the
car in front and you grab a big
handful of steering lock to try to
dodge it, the collision avoidance
system will compute that you
need all the help you can getto swerve and avoid, effectively
taking over the steering to give
you as much lock to lock as the
car has got.
Then there’s the virtual cockpit
($2100), the A4’s showroom
party trick. It replaces analogue
instruments with a 12.3-inch,
hi-res LCD monitor on which
you can call up a huge variety of
system functions, connectivity (via
Apple Car Play or Android Auto)
and other information, including
navigation in map or Google Earth/
Street View modes, plus speedo
and tacho dials in different sizes.
The voice control system is
so smart it’s scary. “Take me
to an Italian restaurant,” I said.
The nav came up with a list of
those nearby, asked me to say
the name or number of the one I
wanted, then began guidance.
The 1.4-litre engine has a trim
1450kg to shift, and it’s a strong,
smooth, frugal little whizzer that
does the job well until you wanta bit of extra urge on a hill, or to
overtake, when it runs out of puff.
The 140kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol
has no such problem.
The 2.0 TFSi quattro, with
185kW on tap, hits 100km/h in
a claimed 5.8 seconds, but the
2.0-litre’s muscular midrange
fades away to a pretty fl at top
end. BMW’s 2.0-litre turbopetrol,
also with 185kW in the 330i,
is much more responsive and
energetic as redline approaches
and also makes nice noises for
a turbo. The Audi engine sounds
like a Dyson hand dryer.
Dynamics are competent but
disappointing and well short of
class benchmarks. You get tidy
handling, predictable, secure
roadholding and a comfortable,
quiet ride. Nothing more.
The 2.0-litre TFSi quattro
feels unbalanced in corners,
even with the optional adaptive
sport suspension.
Overall, the Audi A4 is a
disappointing, dull drive, overlaid
with pointy-end safety and
infotainment technology.AUDI A4 FROM $56,100 S
THINGS WE LIKE
Quiet and comfortable
Some great safety technology
Interior space and quality
Futuristic instrument panel
Fuel-effi cient enginesTHINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Audi has run out of new design
ideas. Can you pick it from the
previous model?
Mediocre dynamics
Weak resale values
SPEX (2.0 TFSi quattro)
Made in Germany
2.0-litre four cylinder turbopetrol/
seven-speed automated manual/
all-wheel drive
185kW of power at
5000–6000rpm/370Nm of torque
from 1600–4500rpm
0–100km/h in 5.8 seconds (claimed)
5.4L/100km highway; 7.9L/100km
city; 95 octane premium; CO 2
emissions are 144g/km
Warranty: Three years/unlimited
kilometres
Standard: Eight airbags, stability
control, navigation, Bluetooth,
voice control, adaptive suspension,
leather, automatic parking,
automatic emergency braking,
blind spot warning, dual-zone air,
18-inch alloy wheels
Redbook future values: 3yr: 45%;
5yr: 27%Safety
ANCAP
PerformanceHandlingQuality and reliabilityComfort and refi nementValue for moneyOverallSTARS
compare with ...
Alfa Giulia, BMW 3 Series, Jaguar
XE, Lexus IS, Mercedes C Class