Audi A4
Overview
The Audi A4 2.0 TDi has no real vices. It is not the most engaging car to drive down a winding road; legroom is at a premium for rear seat passengers (actually similar to the Mercedes C-Class) and interiors are almost plain. On the other hand, the engine and the gearbox are a delight to use. It has enough grunt and straightline performance to get you grinning even when you’re in a sombre mood. The car also rides brilliantly and levels of quality are the best. It is marginally cheaper than the C 220 CDi, as well-equipped, smart-looking and very importantly, delivers more than it promises.
Engine and performance
The turbodiesel under the hood is not a common rail engine. Rather, this motor features unit injector technology (Pumpe Duse) where each injector has its own high pressure pump capable of injecting fuel at over 2000 bar. The result of this type of injection is terrific torque delivery as well as instant engine responsiveness. This motor breathes through four valves per cylinder, there are twin balancer shafts for smoother running and the PD system is a generation ahead.
The maximum power of 140bhp closely matches that of Merc’s 2.2litre CDI motor, and this is true of the 32kgm of torque, too. Diesel pitter-patter is present, but is not as intrusive as other PD motors due to the use of ‘pilot’ or pre-injection of fuel. Typical PD rattle also does not increase with a rise in engine speed and the motor remains surprisingly smooth towards the top of the power band too.
Audi will only sell the CVT or Multitronic box-equipped car, with seven pre-selected gear ratios used by the gearbox when driven in manual or Sport (S) mode. Flat-out acceleration, in S or manual mode using seven pre-selected gears, is rapid to say the least. 100 comes up in 9.7 seconds and 150kph in 22.98 seconds. The A4 delivers class-leading 12.7kpl and it even has a 890-km range. But it is something of a hollow victory, as diesel fuel consumption is unlikely to matter to owners at this price. Riding on raised springs and ample tyres, the A4 has a surprisingly pliant ride. It is especially impressive on rough patches of tarmac and even, to lesser extent, over large potholes. There is no sharp ‘whack’ from the suspension and the cabin is barely deflected. The ride quality cannot be termed supple, and you do tend to take it easy over severely eroded roads, but this is a car you can drive confidently over most bad roads without risking its mechanical health or getting severely shaken up. But the rubbery nature of the suspension also means the A4 doesn’t drive with as much incisiveness or confidence.
Steering responses are initially direct and the feedback is decent, but this is eroded as you wind on more and more steering lock. The A4 rolls more than the C-Class when driven energetically, grip levels are lower and it doesn’t revel in being driven hard. It doesn’t, however, fall prey to front-wheel drive understeer as easily as you would expect, and handles nice and balanced on the limit. But it does understeer eventually. The huge disc brakes also supply ample stopping power, bringing the A4 to a halt in 26.7 meters from 80kph, but pedal feel isn’t great.
Design and Styling
The A4 gets the new corporate grille, also known as the ‘Bulgarian beard’. A distinctive design that gives the four ringed cars an identity of their own, it is bold, confident and unmistakable at the same time. Other interesting features include the separation between the high mounted headlamps and the slats at the bottom of the chin, the typically Audi tight muscular lines and the headlamp-matching shape of the tail lamps. The uprated monocoque is now built with upto ten ‘tailored blanks’ or special bits of steel of variable thickness and strength. Extruded aluminium is also also used for greater lightness. In India, the A4 rides on springs which are raised for greater ground clearance and improved ride quality over rough roads. An underbody protector has also been added. The multilink front suspension uses aluminium arms for reduced unsprung weight, lighter suspension components mean less movement. Large rubber suspension mounts are also used to lower noise over rough roads. The rear suspension is a multilink trapezoidal setup which also uses aluminium links. An interesting detail of this front-wheel drive A4 is the longitudinally mounted engine, done for easy adaptability to Audi's four-wheel drive Quattro system. The car also has ABS, and ESP or electronic stability control that helps quell slides by using individual wheel braking.
The interiors are built to the best standards in the car industry, but there are some essential goodies missing. The A4 is not available with powered seats or even partially-powered seats as on the C-class, something that does not gel well with the luxury image. Equipment levels otherwise are just as good — in dash six-CD changer, split driver/passenger aircon controls, ESP, six airbags, multifunction steering wheel etc.
Seat comfort is excellent too. Unlike the C-class’s front seats, these feel full-sized, there is acres of legroom, and thigh support is great. Getting a comfortable driving position is easy, and you can drive all day. The rear seats are also a good place to spend time. Lower back and shoulder support is fantastic, the bench is wider than the C-class and the headrests are beautifully positioned. This, however, is not a luxury car for three abreast travel. And like the C-class, legroom is at a premium.
Source :
Autocar India