Audi’s A4 breaks cover

All the technology in the brand’s best-selling family has been redeveloped, so it yet again defines the benchmark in the segment. During the development work, high priority was placed on the reduction of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

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 95g/km for the A4 Sedan 2.0 TDI with 110kW. The A4 Avant 2.0 TDI emits 99g/km. The 2.0 TFSI with 140kW emits 109g/km in the A4 Sedan and 114g/km in the A4 Avant. For the first time, there will also be a 1.4T FSI 110kW engine available in the Audi A4 range.

The new Audi A4 and A4 Avant are on their way. Picture: Supplied

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 petrol engines.

Compared with the previous model, the car’s dimensions have grown but its weight has been reduced significantly by up to 120kg, 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 new Audi A4 and A4 Avant are on their way. Picture: Supplied

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 head-up display and new driver assistance systems and Audi connect services.

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) have been redesigned. The automatic transmissions now offer a fuel-saving freewheeling function.

The new Audi A4 and A4 Avant are on their way. Picture: Supplied

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. The handling of the 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 lay the foundation for dynamic handling and first-class ride comfort while also reducing fuel consumption.

The new Audi A4 and A4 Avant are on their way. Picture: Supplied

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. All engine details and specification for SA will be announced closer to the local launch early in 2016.