Audi's New A4 Set To Be Top Dog

12:34pm Friday 15th February 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

This is the eighth generation of Audi's A4 and it's going to create a change in mind-set.

Popular as the previous models have been, the A4 has usually been in less demand than the other massively popular mid-range premium saloons, BMW's 3 series and to a lesser extent, the Mercedes C-class. But it's not going to play second fiddle for much longer.

The best D-segment cars can bring huge volume and brand image success, but that's dependent on three things: design, technology and, of course, the driving experience.

Whilst Audi's build quality, design and reliability have been present in shedloads, the handling characteristics have been the main criticism when compared to its arch-rivals.

But Audi has listened seriously to an enormous amount of customer feedback from current "bedrock" A4 owners and prospective ones, and the company has resolved the oft-questioned ride quality of the current model - my colleagues say the improvement is immense.

What I can say is the new A4 is great to look at, teeming with technology and terrific to drive. Which means Audi has hit the hat-trick.

Spinning through the Algarve's gentle mountains encircled, paradoxically, by roads with ferociously tight bends, the cars in their 2.0, 2.7 and 3.0-litre diesel formats showed great stability, plenty of grip and, try as we might, we were unable to get the tyres squealing (at least, before our nerve crumbled).

The front-wheel-drive versions were a revelation, handling very level, with no problems pointing into corners and generally staying beautifully balanced.

Among other things, Audi has lengthened the wheelbase by around 150mm, moved the battery to the rear and lowered the steering rack to below axle height which have all contributed to the overall feel of a sporting machine somewhat smaller than the new A4's generous size. (It's the biggest car in the segment, and nearly equal to the current A6).

Last year, for the first time, Audi sold more than 100,000 cars in the UK alone and the company has set its eyes on becoming the premium aspirational brand in the UK in the future.

The three German heavy-hitters in the C-segment, the C-class, BMW's 3 and the A4 all originate in southern Germany and live in similar price bands but, as Jon Zammett from Audi said, "the new A4 isn't going to doff its cap to any other brand".

And he's right.

For a start it's great looking: sleek, with fine proportions, an almost coupe rear and short overhangs (in fact in silver I think it's one of the most handsome saloons on the road).

The handling has been brought up to scratch - for most people the major sticking point - and the new model has a host of features added, many of which have been inherited from her bigger sisters.

As well as Audi's excellent build quality, sound deadening and fine cabin ergonomics, there are a host of options, which include three radar systems (for lanes, blind spots and adaptive cruise control), and three performance settings, for comfort, dynamic and an auto combination.

These use special settings for dampers, throttle and steering weight. And they work.

Barrelling along dusty Portuguese back roads, the change from Comfort to Dynamic settings was immediate, with the ruts, loose gravel and potholes instantly more noticeable through seats and the steering wheel. Exactly what you want, of course, when turning off the motorway for a bit of country lane sport.

Switching back to comfort smoothed things out well, with the car trying its best to save your spine. The system works.

The car is 10 per cent lighter than its predecessor and has a lowest in class drag coefficient of just 0.27.

This means better fuel consumption, despite being more powerful and quicker than its predecessor.

The rear legroom is better than its rivals and the boot is also the largest in class at 480 litres.

There is a host of technology options, not least of which are a variety of "Drive Select" packages which include dynamic steering and damper control. These packages cleverly modify throttle response, automatic gear shifts, levels of steering assistance and stabilisation.

With prices starting at under £20,000 (when the base1.8 petrol model becomes available shortly) the new, upmarket A4 could hardly claim to be a Stradivarius. But it's unquestionably a first violin in the making.