Audi A4 range undergoes facelift to make it even more appealing. With new solutions in terms of performance, driving dynamics and infotainment and design even more attractive the A4 sedan, the A4 Avant, the A4 allroad quattro, the S4 and S4 Avant confirm the technical edge of the brand. The A4 is Audi's bestseller home. Considering also the Audi 80, A4 from which originated the first in 39 years of production and eight generations, have been sold a total of ten million. The A4 is a symbol of the brand, including with regard to the sleek, sporty and attractive. Now the design is even more linear and incisive in all models: sedan, Avant, allroad quattro and S4. The changes in the architecture of the front accentuate the horizontal perspective. The bonnet has a stronger curve, the upper edges of the single-frame are beveled, the transverse and the Audi rings stand out in their three-dimensionality. The grid is gray, in the six-cylinder models or in combination with the S line exterior package Instead, it is glossy black. In the new bumper vents stand out from the line geometry, new ventilation grilles and fog dishes. The A4 allroad quattro is distinguished by chrome trim and horizontal grid for round fog lamps.
Even the headlights have been touched up and have a lower profile and a wavy internal structure renewed. On request are available xenon plus headlights as daytime running lamps in LED technology form a thin profile, open at the lenses of xenon. Are available upon request adaptive directional headlights and the dynamic cornering lights.
The taillights take up the line of the headlamps and, in conjunction with xenon plus lights feature LED technology, which form a narrow band. It is also the new bumper design with rear diffuser insert, the exhaust system remains at two terminals.
The range includes 15 colors of paint, including four new ones. For the sedan and the Avant is also available on S line exterior package, which includes the Avant a roof spoiler.
As a result of the redesign have changed the size, but the changes are in the order of a few millimeters. The A4 sedan and Avant are 4.70 meters long, while the A4 allroad quattro and S4 are 4.72 meters long. In all versions the wheelbase of 2.81 meters, while the width is, respectively, 1.83 and 1.84 meters. The height varies between 1.41 and 1.50 meters depending on the version of the body. Interior
The interior of the A4 models has been enhanced. There are new flying with chrome and shiny, the leather sports steering wheel is also available with crown flattened at the bottom. Have been revised the lever on the steering column and ignition key. Embellish the interior applications shiny chrome finish and the subtle elements.
The controls have become even easier and more intuitive. The number of keys on the MMI navigation plus has increased from eight to four, the volume control knob has added a skip function. Other improvements concern the control of the automatic transmission, air conditioners efficient, the system "Audi drive select" and the multifunction steering wheel. The heating and cooling of the seats are now being directly regulated by two special keys.
In the high-quality finishing Audi goes hand in hand with a careful and precise choice of interior colors, except black, are all new. The program of the coatings has been updated, with a Nappa leather skin that replaces the end Valcona. The new grille on the instrument panel, consisting of a single element is matched to the color of the interior, aluminum inserts are available Trigon, walnut brown and natural ash. Stands out in particular the Beaufort oak veneer inlay.
In the S line sports package blacks and the interiors are embellished with elegant applications. Completing the package 18-inch wheels (on request by 19 inches) and an S line sports suspension lowered by 30 mm with the body. Further proposals for greater customization are included in programs and Audi Exclusive Audi exclusive line.
In the A4 sedan keeps the luggage capacity of 480 liters and 962 become the seats back. In the A4 Avant and the A4 allroad quattro has a capacity of 490 gallons (1,430 liters with rear seats folded down), both models are available, on request, with an electrically operated tailgate.
Engines
The new A4 also sets new benchmarks with regard to the engines. Although many engines have increased power and torque, fuel consumption is decreased on average by 11%. As for the sedan and Avant TDI has six engines and four petrol engines that create a total, 23 combinations of engine and transmission. All engines are turbocharged and direct fuel injection and the start-stop system and energy recovery system are standard on all versions.
The TDI engines combine efficiency with an upturn powerful innovative, four-cylinder engines have been extensively reworked. The dual-mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum again (in the 2.0 TDI engine from 136 hp, 163 hp or 177 hp four-wheel drive) makes it even more smooth and silent operation at low speeds, allowing you to anticipate the shift into higher gear and save well up to 0.2 liters of fuel per 100 km.
The most frugal family of models is the Audi A4 2.0 TDI 136 bhp version (100 kW). The sedan consumes an average of 4.2 liters per 100 kilometers, equivalent to CO2 emissions of just 112 grams per kilometer. The new A4 2.0 TDI 163 hp (120 kW), which is also optimized for maximum efficiency, it consumes 4.4 liters of diesel per 100 km (CO2: 115 g / km). Both engines are available for the sedan and the Avant. They are part of the engine range further three four-cylinder diesel that can supply a maximum output of 120 hp (88 kW), 143 hp (105 kW) and 177 hp (130 kW) and are also available for the allroad quattro (except 120 hp). The range is completed three V6 TDI. The 3.0 TDI 204 hp (not available for the allroad quattro) is the more efficient six-cylinder engine in the world in its class, the A4 sedan consumes on average just 4.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. In the second variant, the 3.0 TDI, of which there is also a clean diesel version very clean, has a power output of 245 hp (180 kW).
Even with regard to the A4 petrol range reflects the state of the art. A novelty in the family is the new 1.8 TFSI, available for the sedan and Avant. With 170 hp (125 kW) and 320 Nm of torque four-cylinder that provides a sporty drive. In the A4 sedan average consumption amounted to 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers (CO2 emissions of 134 g / km). Compared to its predecessor consumption decreased by 19%.
The new 1.8 TFSI has many innovations, which relate to the management system of valves and of their race, the innovative thermal management system, the fuel injection system, turbocharger and the integration of the exhaust manifold into the head. The engine weighs 35 pounds less and has a very low internal friction.
The petrol engine is the base 1.8 TFSI 120 hp (88 kW). The 2.0 TFSI, available for the A4 allroad quattro as a single gasoline engine, has a maximum power of 211 hp (155 kW). The top of the range is the 3.0 TFSI, available in two variants: in the A4 V6 272 hp (200 kW) will be introduced at a later time, while the sporty flagship model delivers well-S4 333 hp (245 kW).
Transmission
Typical for Audi is the wide range of drive systems available. The sedan and Avant models with front wheel drive fitted as standard with a six-speed manual transmission, the multitronic continuously variable transmission is available as an option in most versions. The four variants are coupled to the manual gearbox or, from the 2.0 TDI 177 hp (130 kW), the seven-speed S tronic. The A4 allroad quattro is equipped with manual or S tronic in all six versions of the engine.
Thanks to the innovative thermal management system also warming up takes less manual gearbox, which reduces friction losses. All transmissions are characterized by easy and precise engagement, high performance and wide spacing of the relationship and the long relationship in higher gears reduces fuel consumption, while the ratio in the lower gears is short for the benefit of dynamism.
The permanent four-wheel drive is standard on the A4 allroad quattro, while the sedan and Avant is available from the 2.0 TDI engine 143 hp (105 kW). The family uses A4 self-locking center differential here. In normal driving conditions the engine's torque mainly discharged for 40% to 60% at the front and the rear axle. If necessary, you can alter the breakdown in a very short time. The Torque Vectoring integrates the center differential by braking the wheels in a precise and almost imperceptible, thus making the handling even more precise and safe.
The V6 is also available with quattro drive the sport differential, which gives the A4 maximum precision and traction when cornering at the limit even higher. If necessary, this element can in fact high-end share the driving force active between the rear wheels.
Chassis
The chassis of the new A4 appeals for sporty precision, ride comfort and safety. The support arm rear suspension and shock absorbers are calibrated in an even more precise. Most components of the front five-link rear axle and trapezoidal-link is aluminum.
New to all models in the range is the electromechanical power steering, which has a gear ratio provides a direct and precise feedback from the road. When braking on road surfaces with different coefficient of adhesion between the wheels of each axle, in contrast to one side any skidding of the road with minor corrections. Do not consume energy in a straight line, the electromechanical power steering can help reduce consumption of 0.3 liters per 100 kilometers, equivalent to 7 g / km of CO2 less.
Another feature of high-end, which makes the A4 is unique in its category, is the system "Audi drive select". In the basic configuration allows the driver to choose between four modes ("comfort", "auto", "dynamic" and "efficiency") for the characteristic curves of the accelerator, the attachment points of the automatic transmission, power steering and automatic climate control . If the car is equipped with a navigation system, there is also how "individual".
Are available on request, other modular elements, such as' "adaptive cruise control" or the speed control system, the sport differential, with the chassis control system of dampers and dynamic steering. Through a planetary gear transmission ratio varies continuously depending on the speed of travel, in areas with minor offsets limit any hint of understeer or oversteer.
All front-wheel drive A4 are equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) with electronic locking latch mechanism. Brisk, further improves handling and safety, with minimal braking the front wheel inside a bend that has lost traction. The large wheel brakes, which many versions are ventilated at the front and both rear wheels are very powerful and precisely adjustable.
All variants of A4 mountain elegant aluminum wheels, depending on engine 16 or 17 inches, tires optimized to reduce rolling resistance 205/60 and 225/50 are measuring. The A4 3.0 TFSI is equipped with 18-inch wheels with size 245/40 tires. The range of optional wheels fall up to 19 "in diameter with 255/35 tires. Four of the 18 available wheels have new design. For the A4 allroad quattro has been designed in four exclusive designs.
Assistance systems
For the A4 family of systems are available for assistance elaborate that make driving even more relaxed. It is standard in all variants the new information system for the driver to break with advice, based on the steering movements and other parameters, recognize and report any abnormal behavior of the driver.
The system of care "adaptive cruise control" maintains a constant distance between the A4 and the vehicles ahead in the speed range between 0 and 200 km / h. At speeds below 30 km / h making a full brake in case of risk of collision. 'S "Active Audi lane assist" to help the driver stay in lane. A camera detects lane markings and, if necessary, the system responds by correcting the trajectory slightly. The '"Audi side assist" monitors the area behind the A4 using radar and detects the presence of vehicles in the blind spot.
Infotainment systems
In the range A4, Audi offers a complete modular elements of modern infotainment. The chorus radio with CD player and eight speakers is standard, top of the range is the MMI navigation plus with hard drive large, color display, 3D graphics and DVD player. The system was further improved in terms of voice commands and receiving digital radio (optional).
Complete the MMI navigation plus Bluetooth car phone online, which allows access to services "Audi connect" including the search for POIs by voice or navigation through Google Earth and Google Street View also display Google. The Audi online services provide traffic information to date information on road conditions itinerary. Thanks to the hotspot (WLAN), another feature of the Bluetooth car phone online, passengers can surf the Internet on the A4 and access e-mail from their mobile devices.
The Audi S4
The Audi S4 is available in sedan and Avant, boasts the most powerful engine in the range: the 3.0 TFSI with 333 hp (245 kW) and 440 Nm in the average fuel economy sedan version is limited to 8.0 liters per 100 kilometers the face of impressive performances: the S4 accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 250 km / h (electronically limited).
The redesign of the Audi S4 is recognizable by changes to the headlights, bumpers, air intakes and body colors. Even in the cockpit have been cosmetically altered some details. The S sports suspension and 18-inch wheels glued to the road the S4.
