- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 2 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
155kW, 350Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 7.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Control freak
Audi's traffic-stopping TT coupe has been grabbing the spotlight of late. Avoiding that glare, an improved A4 range has quietly slipped into the showrooms.
Engineering improvements are less sexy than curvaceous metal, but the nuts and bolts changes are substantial and make an outstanding car even better.
The TT's 132 kW 1.8-litre turbo-charged four, with a five-speed manual gearbox, replaces the 110 kW 1.8 turbo in A4 sedan and Avant wagon quattro variants, now priced at $62,300 and $65,100 respectively.
The manual transmission in the 2.4-litre V6 quattro sedan has been superseded by a Tiptronic shifter; this model has a $67,700 price tag.
Under the sleek skin, a more rigid body sits on upgraded suspension, with lightweight aluminium control arms, recalibrated springs and low-friction dampers up front. The steering gear now provides greater precision and feel at the wheel, while the ABS brakes have been overhauled to shorten pedal travel and improve feedback. The accelerator/ engine connection is now electronic.
Additional standard equipment across the A4 range includes an A6-style centre console, a memory function in the air-conditioning system, two side airbags and remote central locking.
A long list of interior and exterior styling tweaks, a recontoured back seat and superior sound system complete the A4's mid-life make-over.
Testing in the rain is usually no fun, but Drive's wet week with the turbo quattro sedan highlighted the many benefits of putting power to the road through four wheels instead of two.
Superior traction - because, in a simple system, each wheel receives only 25 per cent instead of 50 per cent of the engine's drive - is a bonus both in safety and handling.
It greatly improves grip, especially in wet or slippery conditions, while enhancing roadholding under hard acceleration or braking.
Audi's torque-sensing centre differential distributes drive to both ends, varying the amount each receives by up to 66 per cent, depending upon which set of wheels has the most traction.
Speed sensors detect the grip of each wheel and increase or reduce drive to either side, or any corner of the car, via electronic differential locks. If one or more wheels is about to break traction, the ABS system works with the differential locks to distribute the right amount of braking to those wheels.
In practice, this means forgiving dynamics when driving quickly - the back end does not step out and the front end does not scrabble for traction - plus rock-solid security and stability no matter what the road surface or weather.
The A4 turbo quattro sticks to the road as if magnetised, and carries ridiculously high cornering speeds with superb balance and agility.
Contributing to the finest luxury sedan dynamics this writer has experienced are excellent brakes, beautifully direct, tactile steering and 205/55 Z-rated Michelin tyres on 16-inch alloy wheels.
The 132kW turbo is no firebreather, but a wide, smooth surge of power belies its forced induction and provides effortless cruising with good overtaking responsiveness. The customary turbo lag is absent, although the 1.8 doesn't properly wake up until 2,000 rpm and has a rough patch just off idle.
It drives the A4 from 0-100km/h in a respectable 8.6 seconds, but this is less relevant than the way the engine works with the quattro system and the light, precise five-speed gearbox to make quick driving as easy, enjoyable and safe as it gets.
Premium unleaded is recommended when filling the smallish 60-litre tank, but the 1.8 turbo is quite economical, returning 8.7 litres/100 km on the highway and 13.9 litres/100 km in town.
The ride is acceptably compliant around town; on the open road though, the front end becomes rather harsh and large bumps can kick the suspension hard towards the end of its travel.
The driver's height-adjustable seat is also on the firm side, but quite comfortable on a long journey. A longer cushion provides better thigh support, and substantial side bolsters are also useful given the A4's cornering abilities. The wheel is adjustable for height and reach.
The redesigned air-conditioning and upgraded stereo feature simple, efficient controls, and the compact, elegant dash is marred only by crowded dials and confusing speedo increments. Build and finish quality is close to faultless.
Front seat occupants have plenty of headroom and leg room, but it's a different story in the back. Access is tight, and leg room is marginal with the front seats at half travel. The back seat is deeply contoured for two, and has a lap belt in the centre. Four height/tilt adjustable head restraints are fitted. The rear seat back is split 60/40, extending the capacity of the long, deep boot.
Great driver's cars are those with performance and handling which perfectly complement each other, so you can exploit both to their full potential.
The A4 turbo quattro is one of this rare breed. It is less luxurious and spacious than its nearest competitor, the $68,720 BMW 323i, but if quick motoring with total control is what you're after, the Audi is unbeatable.
Engine: 1.8-litre 20-valve turbo four-cylinder.
Power: 132 kW at 5,500 rpm (above average).
Performance: 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds (average).
Economy: 8.7 litres/100 km highway; 13.9 city (average).
Recommended retail: $62,300 (sedan); $65,100 (Avant).
Street price: $3,000 off.
Main options:
Leather $3,290; cruise control $990; electric sunroof $2,950.
Alternatives:
Alfa Romeo 156 3.0 V6 - $59,950
BMW 323i 2.5 6-cyl - $68,720 Mercedes-Benz C240 2.4 V6 Classic - $78,700
Saab 9-3 SE 2.0 turbo - $59,900
Volkswagen Passat 1.8 turbo - $46,990
Volvo S40 T4 2.0 - $54,564.