The company’s Vorsprung durch technik philosophy is well known (and for those not sure, it means ‘advancement through technology’), and can be reasonably substantiated.
There is a generic Audi look to A3, A4, A6 and A8 models and their spin-offs, and as each new generation appears, the change is outwardly evolutionary. Step inside, and the feeling is similar: a familiarity of texture, function and form. The latest Audi A4 Avant station wagon is a typical example.
To the non-aficionado, it is hardly distinguishable from its predecessor, particularly the ‘wagon’ part, but it does have a subtly revised front end featuring the matching high and low air intakes with bright surrounds, and the re-profiled headlamps with trick lenses of the latest A4 saloon. Thing is, though, why change a winning formula? According to Audi research, about 40 per cent of the owners of the previous model chose the car because of its design. And, globally, Avants account for around 44 per cent of A4s sold.
The name Avant first appeared in March 1983 on an estate version of the Audi 100 saloon, although it was not a particularly attractive or practical wagon. The roof tapered sharply from just behind the rear doors, which seriously limited loadability. It was hardly the inspiration for Audi’s current marketing claim that ‘Beautiful estate cars are called Avant’, but subsequent lifestyle wagons from Ingolstadt have been far better looking.
This A4 is no exception, and continues the model’s characteristic high waistline and slightly wedgy side view. It is 65 mm longer – now measuring 4,544 metres – with 33 mm let into the wheelbase, and it is wider, too. Consequently, cabin space has increased, but despite the improved knee- and elbowroom in the rear, if the front seats are pushed back to accommodate tall passengers, those behind still have minimal legroom.
To begin with, there is a choice of four powertrains. Topping the bill is a 2,5-litre V6 turbodiesel with quattro all-wheel drive and Tiptronic transmission as standard. Next down is the 1,9-litre pumpe-düse turbodiesel, with 310 N.m and a six-speed manual ‘box. At entry level is a petrol motor, Audi’s popular four-cylinder 1,8-litre turbocharged four, either with the remarkable Multitronic
continuously variable auto transmission or – as with the test car – a five-speed manual. Nothing run-of-the-mill about any of those…
The technik continues underneath with the aluminium four-link front suspension that reduces unsprung mass (although the Avant’s weight still exceeds 1,5 tons), and ESP 5.7 electronic stability program. Add in safety features such as all-disc brakes with ABS, EBD and BAS, and Audi’s latest Sideguard head airbag system, and it becomes clear that although the Audi A4 Avant 1,8T may not have every mod con under the sun, it certainly has a hatful of desirable goodies that will satisfy most people.
Audi’s styling, then, is far from flashy. Apart from some graphite grey cladding in the lower bumpers and along the sills, aluminium roof rails, black air intakes and the impression of one-piece glazing, every other exterior body item is colour keyed. The wheels are attractive five-spoke alloys wrapped in surprisingly sporty 205/55 ZR16 unidirectional radials, and fill out the wheel wells in typical Audi/VW fashion: the combine’s latest products all give the appearance of being foursquare on the road. Also adding a racy touch are the twin chrome-tipped exhaust outlets, unusual for a four-cylinder…
Inside, there is leather upholstery, and plastics are top quality in both texture and fit. Patterned grey metallic-looking inserts run around the cabin and highlight the facia. The seats are well proportioned, with lever/ ratchet type cushion height/ angle adjustment on both front chairs, between which is a fold-up armrest with a useful tray beneath the pad. The spacious driver’s footwell houses a left-foot rest, and the nice-to-hold three-spoke steering wheel is adjustable for rake and reach. An Audi Concert radio/CD front loader is fitted, and the climate control system has separate left- and right-side controls, including an auto setting. A single drink-holder pops out of the facia right in front of an air vent.
Instruments have white on black graphics with red pointers, which, together with all the other controls, identify themselves with red backlighting at night. A red light, located under the rear view mirror, shines down in front of the facia at night, producing a slightly eerie glow if you pass your hand beneath. Information is given on a data panel set between the rev counter and speedo and topped by the warning light cluster. Below are two banks of three buttons for calling up a systems check, zero the odo, to check when the next service is due, and reset the trip computer.
All the controls fall easily to hand, with the exception of the optional (R12 000) satellite navigation switchgear. This is sited on the floor console behind the gearshift, and it takes time to familiarise the fiddly functions of the four switches and knob.
There are two levels of sat-nav available from Audi: a full blown system with a large screen in the facia’s hangdown section, and a more basic version as fitted to the test car, which produces the map/instructions only in the instrument cluster data panel, thereby overriding some of the usual info display. At least when the destination has been programmed, the read-out is just below the driver’s regular line of sight. The sat-nav’s control box is located in an inner rear wheelarch compartment in the boot.
Practically, the wagon aspect is class average. The loading height, over a bright skid plate, is a reasonable 645 mm, and the tailgate rises to 1 870 mm with an extra 100 mm available by pushing a little harder against the gas struts. Beneath the three-piece folding floor is a shallow tray covering the spare wheel and useful for carrying any wet or muddy items. A small elastic net is attached to the left-hand wheelarch, and an auxiliary 12V socket is located opposite.
There are four tie-down hooks, and the retracting/removable cargo cover contains a safety net that can be raised either with the rear seat folded or not. Using our standard ISO blocks, boot capacity measured 304 dm3 and utility space 1 104 dm3. The seat backrest is split 60:40, but the one-piece cushion is fixed. Three-point seatbelts and height-adjustable head restraints are provided for rear passengers, and the foldaway centre armrest contains a first aid kit.
On the road, the Avant is a nimble performer. The now-familiar 1,8-litre turbocharged and intercooled engine has been tweaked to develop 120 kW at 5 700 r/min and 225 N.m between 1 950 and 4 700 r/min. Without sounding or feeling particularly refined, the motor nevertheless delivers the goods with excellent mid-range punch. Traverse the torque plateau in top gear and you will run from 70 to 170 km/h.
The gearshift is precise, the steering accurate albeit a bit sharp around the straightahead, and the handling benign with terminal understeer. There is plenty of suspension movement, but the settings are firm, which can lead to some occasional jiggling over broken road surfaces. Avant is really a sportswagon, but let Audi argue about other manufacturer’s generic terminology…
