AUDI’S big selling A4 model wows for its mix of zen and zing.
In this day of sculpted SUVs, the styling on the A4 sedan is almost plain to bland. Though that would not be fair to the car which has some pretty features about it — the grille, those dynamic turning lights…
Those small 16-inch rims could have been beefed up, but this was deemed the ideal spec for this car.
But what gets you is the way the A4 handles itself.
As a result of Singapore’s emission laws and taxing structure, it made more sense for the more powerful two-litre model to be brought in as the entry-level version of the A4.
That’s a plus, since its competitors, the outgoing BMW 318 (1.5 litres) and Mercedes-Benz C180 (1.6 litres) are around the same price. For the extra you pay in road tax for the A4, you get a lot more performance.
The Audi’s 140kW leaves a sizable gap ahead of the C180’s 115kW and the thee-cylinder 318’s 101kW, though it will be interesting to see what the new C-Class, due at the year end and the new BMW 3, due early next year, will offer.
For now, the A4 is well equipped with a turbocharged engine that oozes power in smooth fashion, allowing it to glide from standstill to 100kmh in just over seven seconds. The paddle shifters are handy, especially when downshifting.
Regardless of mode, the A4 is never out of breath, just varying its responses accordingly to keep you satisfied. It’s B-cycle process lets you enjoy greater fuel efficiency by playing with the compression, turbocharging, fuel injectio and valvelift system.
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Like most new cars, the level of connectedness in the A4 is impressive. The virtual cockpit is able to provide a variety of options to let you get the information required. The map guidance is especially useful, especially when it fills the available spaces.
For backseat drivers, the information is also thrown onto the dashboard screen. Music connectivity proved a bit cranky, though it could have been due to the fact I was not using an Apple cable. But from what could be heard, the sound was a bit tinny and the music was a bit hollow.
With its new form and performance, the A4 is looking to build on its global sales of 12 million units since 1971. The ninth generation of the model has kept pace with changing habits and looks like consolidating its place in its segment.
RATING:
Styling: 7/10
Interior: 7.5/10
Ride: 9/10
Handling: 8.5/10
Power: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
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TECH SPECS AUDI A4 2.0 TFSI
Engine: Inline 4 cylinder turbocharged
Capacity: 1,984cc
Max Power: 140kW@4,200–6,000rpm
Max Torque: 320Nm@1,450–4,200rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch
Efficiency: 5.2L/100km
CO2: 119g/km
0-100kmh: 7.3 seconds
Top Speed: 210kmh
Retail price: *$176,980
Please reconfirm price with dealer.
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