I HAVEN'T yet had the chance to test drive the 2017 Audi A4 – but, by all accounts it's going to be another winner for the Bavarian-based company.
At its showrooms in Manila, PGA Cars, Philippines’ distributor of Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley, recently pulled the covers off the all new A4 - the 9th iteration of this highly successful model.
At first glance it doesn't look that different from the model it’s replacing, True, the understated exterior has slightly updated styling compared to the last A4 most notably a wider grille and slimmer headlights. But deep down there's a lot of difference between the old and the new.
The elegant and sophisticated new interior is impressive starting with the seats which are soft, supple and extremely comfortable for the longest drive. Five adults will fit comfortably inside the new A4. It gives better space and comfort for all those passengers. And high quality leather is standard.
That’s only the beginning. The new model offers more room and a totally new cockpit design. But the highlight of the A4’s interior is the technology with a fully-digital instrument cluster, presenting the most important information in graphic form on its high-resolution 12.3-inch LCD screen with brilliant resolution, a high level of detail and carefully designed effects.
The new A4 adds a long list of new safety features, including dual front airbags that are complemented by front side airbags and full curtain airbags, while park assist, parking aid plus, service indicator, and flat tire indicator round out the package.
Powering the new model is a 2.0-liter, inline-4 turbocharged engine that delivers 150 hp and 320 Nm of torque. Mated to a seven-speed, S tronic dual-clutch transmission, the front-wheel drive A4 2.0 TDI S tronic runs the 0 to 100 km/hr sprint in 8.7 seconds, and goes on to a top speed of 220 km/hr.
The chassis and the steering system filter out unwanted car movements brought about by road imperfections, but in the process, still offer feedback to the driver through the three-spoke, leather-wrapped, multi-function sports steering wheel with shift paddles. It’s shod with 245/35 R19 low-profile tires.
This advancement in performance is based on the newly-developed five-link suspension and power steering system. Extremely lightweight, it lays the foundation for the dynamic behavior and first-class ride comfort of the new model, and at the same time, reduces fuel consumption.
Operation has also become even more intuitive with Audi drive select and the new Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) Navigation Plus. Located on the center console, the MMI control has been redesigned, and serves as the main control element. A touchpad is integrated in the MMI control panel for the infotainment system, which is composed of the MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, and a seven-inch multimedia interface.
Elegant design blends with innovative technologies, while lightweight construction meets new, efficient drivetrain solutions. As a result, the new A4 delivers a truly high-tech experience.
With over 12 million units sold around the world in the last two decades, the Audi A4 is one of the most successful mid-size sedans to ever hit the market. The 2017 all-new A4 seems set to continue that success.