The winning four
The new-generation Audi A4* and A4 Avant* are a fascinating synthesis of
technology and esthetics. All the technology in the brand’s bestselling
family has been redeveloped so that it yet again defines the benchmark in
the segment. During the development work, high priority was placed on the
reduction of CO2 emissions. All technologies were focused on reducing
drive resistance.
A good example is aerodynamics: The A4 Sedan has the best drag coefficient in
its class at 0.23. The new models also have impressively low CO2 emissions of
95 grams per kilometer (152.9 grams per mile) for the A4 Sedan 2.0 TDI ultra
with 110 kW (150 hp); the A4 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra emits 99 grams CO2 per km
(159.3 g/mi). The 2.0 TFSI with 140 kW (190 hp) emits 109 g/km (175.4 g/mi) in
the A4 Sedan ultra and 114 g/km (183.5 g/mi) in the A 4 Avant ultra. The most
powerful engines are two TDI six-cylinder units with up to 200 kW (272 hp).
Driver assistance systems and infotainment are of luxury quality. A new
generation of four-cylinder TFSI engines with newly developed combustion
methods sets benchmarks in terms of fuel consumption, emissions and
performance for four-cylinder gasoline engines. The A4 Sedan and the A4 Avant
will be launched this fall.
At 4.73 meters (15.5 ft) long and with a wheelbase of 2.82 meters (9.3 ft) – the
new Audi A4 and A4 Avant have a confident stance on the road. A prominent
horizontal line on the front and rear emphasizes the car’s width. The flowing
design with concise lines communicates the sporty elegance of the brand. The
Singleframe grille is wide and low; the optionally available headlights in LED and
Matrix LED technology (including dynamic turn indicators) make technology a
visual trademark.
Up to 120 kilograms (264.6 lb) lighter
Compared with the previous model, the car’s dimensions have grown but its
weight has been reduced significantly – by up to 120 kilograms, depending on
the engine. The body of the new Audi models is one of the lightest in its class
thanks to an intelligent material mix and lightweight construction.
The Audi A4 is a leader in its class also in terms of noise levels. All occupants
enjoy generous space; the smooth lines emphasize the width of the interior. The
front of the dashboard features a broad band of air outlets and a large decorative
surface. At night, optional discreet contour lighting illuminates the doors and the
central console. The quality of workmanship is uncompromisingly high. Colors
and materials follow a new line concept allowing customers even more freedom
during configuration.
Sensor-controlled opening of luggage compartment: the A4 Avant
The luggage compartment of the new A4 Avant offers basic storage space of
505 liters, which is the most of any premium model in this class. With the rear
seats folded down and loaded to the roof, a volume of 1,510 liters is available.
The electric luggage compartment cover and electric tailgate are standard
equipment. An optional extra is sensor control for opening and closing the
tailgate.
The two new models offer an abundance of intelligent technologies, the use of
which is even more intuitive with the new Audi MMI display and control concept.
Technological highlights of the new A4 include the Audi virtual cockpit, the Audi
Matrix LED headlights, the Audi smartphone interface, the Bang & Olufsen Sound
System with 3D sound, the Audi phone box with wireless charging, the head-up
display, and new driver assistance systems and Audi connect services.
Information and fascination: the Audi virtual cockpit and the MMI
The focus here is on two innovations. The optional Audi virtual cockpit, a fully
digital combination instrument, features a 12.3-inch LCD screen that displays the
most important information in brilliant high-resolution graphics, with great detail
and sophisticated effects.
The MMI control concept in the center console is also a newly designed feature
and acts as the main control element. The top-end infotainment system,
MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch and a large 8.3-inch monitor, has a
touchpad in the rotary controller to zoom in and out and to enter characters. The
entire MMI control logic is similar to that of a smartphone and includes an
intelligent free-text search function. The new, more natural, voice-control system
also understands input in normal everyday language, such as “I want to call
Peter Miller.”
Concentrated computing power
MMI Navigation plus is backed by the computing power of the second-generation
modular infotainment platform, which allows Audi to bring consumer electronics
innovations into the vehicle quickly.
If customers order a car with MMI Navigation plus, they automatically receive the
Audi connect hardware module, which connects the A4 and A4 Avant with the
Internet via the high-speed LTE network. Passengers can surf the Internet and
send and receive e-mail with their mobile devices via a Wi-Fi hotspot while the
driver can use the tailored services of Audi connect.
The Audi smartphone interface is a new feature. It integrates iOS and Android
mobile phones into an environment developed especially for this purpose –
Audi MMI. The Audi phone box connects smartphones to the on-board antenna
and charges them inductively according to the Qi standard. For discerning hi-fi
fans, the Bang & Olufsen Sound System with innovative 3D sound is available,
which introduces the additional dimension of height. The new Audi tablet can also
be used as flexible rear seat entertainment.
Powerful six and four-cylinder engines
The new Audi A4 and A4 Avant will be launched in Germany with seven engines,
three TFSI and four TDI. Their power output has increased significantly and
ranges from 110 kW (150 hp) to 200 kW (272 hp), but fuel consumption has been
reduced by up to 21 percent. The A4 2.0 TDI ultra has fuel consumption of just
3.7 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (63.6 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of just
95 grams per kilometer (152.9 grams per mile); the figures for the corresponding
Avant model are 3.8 l/100 km and 99 g/km CO2 (61.9 US mpg and 159.3 g/mi).
All the engines combine high efficiency with sporty power delivery and
smoothness. This applies in particular to the two 3.0 TDI six-cylinder engines.
The new Audi A4 has a groundbreaking innovation for the gasoline engines: The
2.0 TFSI ultra with 140 kW (190 hp) uses an absolutely new combustion method
that makes it especially efficient and allows fuel consumption of 4.8 liters per
100 km (49 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km (175.4 g/mi); the figures for
the corresponding Avant model are 5.0 l/100 km and 114 g/km CO2 (47 US mpg
and 183.5 g/mi). During the model lifecycle, a g-tron version will be launched
which can use natural gas or the sustainably produced Audi e-gas as fuel.
S tronic, tiptronic and manual transmission
The powertrain and the chassis of the new Audi A4 and A4 Avant have been
completely redeveloped. The six-gear manual transmission, the seven-gear
S tronic (now also available for front-wheel drive) and the eight-stage tiptronic
have been redesigned; the automatic transmissions now offer a fuel-saving
freewheeling function. Wheel-selective torque control supplements the work of
the front-wheel drive and the quattro drive. For the most powerful TDI, Audi will
offer the sport differential on the rear axle as an option starting in 2016.
Driving dynamics
The handling of new A4 makes a great leap forward: on the one hand sporty and
performance oriented, but with a focus on comfort at the same time. The
suspension and steering filter out disturbances such as an uneven road surface,
but communicate to the driver important information such as increases in lateral
forces and tracking. This performance is based on the redeveloped five-link axles
and the electromechanical power steering – they are exceptionally light. They lay
the foundation for dynamic handling and first-class ride comfort while also
reducing fuel consumption. Additional options are dynamic steering, which varies
its ratio according to the car’s speed and the steering angle, and suspension with
adjustable shock absorbers with which the driver can for the first time select
between two settings: sports or comfort. Both of suspension settings are included
in the Audi drive select driving-dynamics system, which is standard equipment for
models with engines of 140 kW (190 hp) and above.
Widest range in its class: driver assistance and safety systems
The Audi A4 and A4 Avant set the benchmark in their class with numerous driver
assistance systems. The predictive efficiency assistant helps drivers to save fuel,
Audi active lane assist helps them to stay in lane and the Stop&Go adaptive
cruise control including traffic-jam assist eases driving in slow-moving traffic. One
special feature of traffic-jam assist is its control strategy. It takes into account a
large number of parameters such as road markings and the traffic ahead. Some
more innovations that make important contributions to safety are parking assist,
rear cross-traffic assist, exit warning, collision avoidance assist, turn assist and
the Audi pre-sense systems. Camera-based traffic-sign recognition is also
available.
The two new Audi A4 models will be available from dealerships in Germany and
other Western European countries as of fall 2015. Their standard equipment is
even more comprehensive than that of their predecessors. It includes xenon
headlights, keyless go, a Bluetooth interface, Audi drive select (as of
140 kW/190 hp) and a 7-inch MMI color display.
