Audi has updated its A4 saloon, Avant and S4 model lines for 2012 ushering in fresh new styling, a host of new infotainment technologies and a revised specification line-up.
The A4 has enjoyed a healthy share of Audi’s 2011 new vehicle sales success, accounting for 14 500 units and 10 per cent of the company’s overall sales in that period.
“The Audi A4 range has been the core of the Audi model range in South Africa and with the introduction of the new A4 during the first quarter of 2012, we are expecting a renewed interest in the range.” says Ryan Searle; Head of Audi South Africa.
The most striking aspect of the refreshed A4 has to be the styling. Aspects such as the beveled edges for the signature single-frame grille which features a grey finish on four-cylinder models, stepped headlamps with optional full-trip LED daytime running lights replacing the previous car’s dotted items and revised brakelamps with LED strip elements move the A4 stylistically closer to the A6. In the case of S-Line and six-cylinder models, the grille features a gloss black finish. It’s a clean, unfussy and subtle design makeover that only sees the dimensions of the facelifted car growing by a couple of millimetres in each direction.
Interior changes are also fairly subtle, with a choice of new steering wheels with chrome/gloss inlays coming to the fore. Audi’s MMI system has undergone a considerable overhaul that sees the interface simplified to feature four hard keys (there were eight in the previous car) and a volume control dial. The MMI system can be specified with such features as voice command, Bluetooth, media hard drive, and a colour monitor in two sizes with 3D graphic capability. The optional navigations system now integrates Google Earth and street view imagery, allowing you to search for and pinpoint areas of interest as part of the navigation experience. MMI now also features a WLAN hotspot that allows passengers with enabled smartphones/laptops/tablets to surf the Internet and send email from the car. Audi’s drive select module can also be specified for the A4, allowing the driver to tailor such parameters as steering assistance, throttle response and transmission shift points to meet comfort, fuel economy or sports driving conditions. A driver attention assist module that identifies signs of fatigue and informs the driver to pull over and rest is also offered.
The petrol engine line-up comprises the third-generation 1,8 TFSI unit in two states of tune (88 kW/230 N.m and 125 kW/320 N.m), a 2,0 TFSI with 155 kW on tap and the range-topping 3,0 V6 TFSI developing 200 kW and 400 N.m of torque. A trio of diesels comprising the 2,0 TDI in 105 kW and 130 kW guises, along with the 3,0 TDI (180 kW and 500 N.m) round off the engine line-up. All of the engines feature forced induction, direct fuel injection, energy recuperation and start/stop technology to improve fuel efficiency over the outgoing units. Depending on the model, a choice of six-speed manual, Multitronic CVT and S-tronic dual-clutch transmissions are offered. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system also features on certain models in the updated A4 line-up, splitting torque 40:60 between front and rear axles.
The S4 also forms part of the refreshed Audi line-up. It still employs a supercharged 3,0 V6 engine developing 245 kW and 440 Nm of torque – enough for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5 seconds and a 250 km/h top speed. Subtle tweaks to the headlamps, bumpers, air dams and colour schemes, along with S sport suspension and standard 19-inch wheels define the S4 from the rest of the line-up.
Audi has dispensed with its Attraction/Ambition/Ambiente specification designations in favour of simplified S, SE and quattro nomenclature systems that offer the following:
S models
• Partial leather upholstery
• Four-spoke multifunction leather covered steering wheel
• Concert radio with colour LCD screen
• New-design 16-inch alloy wheels
• Front centre arm-rest
• Driver information system with monochrome display
• Electromechanical power steering
• Stop- Start system
SE models (additional standard specification over and above S models)
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Audi music interface
• Colour driver information system
• Chrome side window surrounds
• Cruise control
• Colour driver information system
quattro models (additional standard specification over and above SE models)
• New-design 18-inch alloy wheels
• Sports suspension
• Split rear seat
• Delux 3-zone automatic air conditioner
• Milano leather
• Three spoke multifunction steering wheel
S4 models (additional standard specification over and above quattro® models)
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Electric front seats
• Sport seats in Alcantara / leather combination
• Symphony radio with 6-disc front loading CD changer
• Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights
• Tyre pressure monitor
Audi A4 pricing:
A4 1,8T FSI 88 kW S MT R309 500
A4 1,8T FSI 125 kW S MT R332 000
A4 1,8T FSI 125 kW S multi R349 000
A4 2,0 TDI 105 kW S MT R336 500
A4 2,0 TDI 130 kW S multi R 353,500
A4 1,8T FSI SE 125 kW MT R347 000
A4 1,8T FSI SE 125 kW multi R364 000
A4 2,0T FSI SE multi R390 000
A4 2,0 TDI SE 130 kW MT R351 500
A4 2,0 TDI SE 130 kW multi R368 500
A4 2,0T FSI quattro S tronic R456 500
A4 3,0T FSI quattro S tronic R504 000
A4 3,0 TDI quattro S tronic R503 000
S4 quattro S tronic R620 000
Audi A4 Avant pricing:
A4 1,8T FSI S MT R349 000
A4 1,8T FSI S multi R366 000
A4 2,0 TDI S MT R353 500
A4 2,0 TDI S multi R370 500
