For: Diesel refinement, interior finish, interior space, improved chassis

Against: Inconsistent steering weight, offset pedals, could be quicker, too small an advance over old A4


Backgroud

The A4 started life as the 80 in Audi genealogy, as the upmarket, 1972 version of the VW Passat that it pre-dated by a year. That was eight generations ago, but the principle of the car, as a compact and classy three-box saloon, hasn’t altered.

Unlike the BMW 3-series the Audi is front-drive, but quattro all-wheel drive continues to be offered, as it has been since 1982. Audi was also early with direct injection diesel engines too, back in 1989.

But today there is only one winner in the battle for supremacy in the compact premium saloon class and that’s BMW, whose 3-series outsells Audi’s A4, and the Mercedes C-class. But the A4 has gradually made ground on the BMW 3-series, and Audi believes this latest version, code-named B8, will take another bite out of BMW’s lead.

This time it has the increased firepower of an all-new platform, debuted last year on the A5 coupé, whose rearranged running gear is aimed at improving the car’s dynamic performance, and there’s now an arsenal of optional features not previously seen on the A4.

These include reconfigurable steering, throttle and suspension settings, lane assistance, a blind-spot monitor, comfort-cooled front seats, active steering, Bang and Olufsen sound systems and three-zone climate control, as well as Audi perennials such as quattro all-wheel drive. This A4 is also bigger, roomier, more aerodynamic, cleaner and features an all-new common rail 2.0 diesel.

Design

The A4 rides on a new platform that is not only of longer wheelbase, making it a bigger car than both the 3-series and the C-class, but also features reconfigured running gear intended to improve both its chassis balance and the precision of its steering. The Audi’s bodyshell is 10 per cent stiffer than before, 10 per cent lighter and aerodynamic, and its CD matches the 3-series’ excellent 0.27.

Much of Audi’s engineering effort has been expended on introducing new systems to the car, though most are optional. They include dynamic electric steering whose planet and sun gears allow automatic counter-steering at the edge of adhesion to prevent understeer and improve braking stability, and Audi drive select, which allows the driver to play with the settings of the dampers; throttle response, the automatic transmission’s shift points and the steering weight, and the choice widening from three to 24 if the car is specified with the MMI infotainment system, with each system programmable individually.

The engine range is more familiar, but new are the 2.0 TDi. This common rail direct injection diesel replaces the old and outclassed pumpe-duse units, and the 158bhp 1.8 TFSI petrol. Previously seen units include a 261bhp 3.2 FSI petrol V6 and the 187bhp 2.7 and 237bhp 3.0 V6 TDi's, these last two only coming with a Multitronic CVT eight-speed automatic, that’s also an option on the 2.0-litre diesel. Otherwise, its six-speed manuals all round.

Powertrains apart, virtually every component in the A4 is new, although passers-by might struggle to register the fact, so similar does this edition look to the last. If you look solely at its silhouette and proportion, you can trace this car’s look directly to the Audi 80 of 1986. Such evolutionary styling, and a mechanical confection whose advances in large part lie on the option list, leave this Audi feeling slightly less novel than an all-new platform implies that it might.

On The Road

This is a very smooth new diesel, with an impressively revvy throttle response and a wide power band that runs to 5400rpm. It pulls vigorously enough in mid-range to feel sportingly brisk, a well-cushioned clutch and a light gearshift easing exploitation of its capabilities.

A gear indicator in the message centre suggests early up-changes for lower fuel consumption, but performance in sixth is sloth-like. Using this box enthusiastically is about the only time you’ll suspect that this engine is an oil-burner – a distant thrum enters the cabin that’s actually quite pleasant.

But this new engine falls short of what BMW’s recently improved 320d delivers. Its impressive 175bhp allows it a claimed 0-62mph time of 7.9sec, which is well ahead of the 9.7sec we recorded for the A4, and that was only to 60mph. Audi claims 9.4sec in fact, though this is still adrift of what the BMW can manage, and the torquier 3-series is also a better in-gear slogger too.

In contrast to many Audis, the A4 copes well with most short, sharp shocks – and that’s on the optional, lower profile 245/40 ZR 18 Michelin Pilot Sports too. The A4’s ride is now more restful over lumpy roads, and in keeping with its civilised demeanour. That said, bigger bumps are absorbed less well, and if the camber changes frequently the A4’s body rocks from side to side a little uncomfortably.

In handling terms, this A4 feels less inert than past versions. It turns into corners with great enthusiasm – as it should, given a new platform that places less of the powertrain’s mass ahead of the front axle.

It’s a pity then that all this is undermined by the Servotronic steering system whose weighting underlines its artificiality. At very low speeds the wheel is very light – good for manoeuvring – but the loading increases swiftly as you build speed, so that beyond 40mph it becomes almost too weighty. The good news, however, is that Servotronic is an option.

Living

High standards are expected of Audi in this department, and across many dimensions the A4 delivers with its substantial, soft-feel matt plastic textures, brightwork flourishes and an aura of precision assembly. This is also a roomy interior for a premium compact saloon, there being adequate leg and headroom in the rear and a generous boot that’s extendable via split folding rear seats.

But there are disappointments. The new dashboard design, which gently angles the instrument pack and centre console around the driver, looks dated, and the mock aluminium finisher failed to butt up snugly at its meeting point with main facia moulding in the test car.

Centre console storage is not ideal either, the narrow letter box-slot to the left of the cupholders is too narrow to allow a phone to lie on its back, leaving it to rock, and knock, through corners.

But the cabin’s most serious failing is a corollary of the A4’s conversion to right-hand drive. The transmission tunnel’s bulk forces the pedals too far to the right, skewing the driver’s lower body uncomfortably to the offside. Errors like this should not be present in a car of this calibre, particularly when so many A4s are sold with right-hand drive globally.

If you ignore the lure of brands and consider the A4 against the excellent Ford Mondeo, its £23,940 sticker price looks distinctly poor value against the Ford in top-of-the-range, £21,645 Titanium X trim. And the Audi is short of several toys at this level, including sat-nav.

But it undercuts the £25,285 best-selling BMW 320d SE as well as the Mercedes C200 CDi SE at £24,107, and the (more powerful) £25,782 Lexus IS 220d SE. Audi is forecasting above average residuals compared to its German rivals, and its equipment levels largely mirror the 3-series.


Verdict 3 1/2 out of 5

No question, this A4 is an improvement over the old in terms of engine refinement, ride, handling, packaging, fuel economy and feature availability. Yet it’s hard to avoid concluding that this car is not enough of a step forward over the old A4, especially as Audi has gone to the expense of developing a new platform for it.

It is not good enough to topple the 3-series, and in many respects, such as its driving position, handling and the weighting of its controls, it is inferior to the cheaper Ford Mondeo.

That this new B8 A4 doesn’t look so different from the previous B7 generation is perhaps appropriate, then. And the flawed driving position is a disappointment too. Yet despite all these criticisms the A4 is an agreeable car, the more so because it is civilised and very well put together. But Audi’s efforts might have been better directed at polishing the car itself, rather than offering a cornucopia of options that the majority of owners will never see.


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M

Seems they aren't too happy with it...

Nice color though.

The review is very similar do my own impressions on the new A4 after my testdrive.

Ouch!

Yet those Brits are exaggerating a bit too much in Mondeo praising. It's a good car although not so much. But it's a great value for money.

It's a great improvement over previous Mondeo, but c'mon!!!

From the sound of this review, they didn't speak to highly of it because it's not a Ford or a Jaguar.

We all know the new Audi A4 is a great car so there's no need to listen to these guys.