Audi A4 2.0 TDI 177PS S line Review: John Griffiths
Audi A4 2.0 TDI 177PS S line
What is it?
WHAT a month! First we had the all-new BMW 3 Series – then quickly followed by this, arch rival Audi with the eighth and latest-generation Audi A4. Two cars critical to business car users.
On the one hand, there’s the BMW dressed in its crafted racing overalls; on the other, the Hugo Boss suited and booted A4. What a great choice for the business user.
So what has Audi done to its A4 model?
Unlike the BMW, the ‘new’ Audi A4 is a comprehensive update of the existing car – a subtle re-tailoring if you will – with all six turbodiesel and three petrol engines offering improved fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. There are equipment upgrades, too, including internet access, suspension and steering revisions, some tasteful – but modest – exterior and interior styling changes and a few swoopy new colours. On average the new models cost £200 more, with prices starting at £23,625 for the base 1.8 litre 120PS TFSI petrol model.
Of keen interest to business users, Audi is claiming fuel efficiency and CO2 gains of up to 21 per cent, with the help of standardised engine stop/start and other tweaks. The most efficient, the 136PS 2.0TDie, will emit just 112g/km of CO2 and offers 65.7mpg economy with all the associated benefit in kind company car tax benefits, along with zero VED. But it still will not match the 109g/km of the forthcoming BMW 320d EfficientDynamics model or its power (161bhp) and fuel economy (68.9mpg).
The 177PS 2.0 TDi tested is the closest rival to the new, 181bhp BMW 320d put through its paces earlier by BCM (see New 3 Series to send divorce rates soaring).
It matches the BMW exactly on emissions at 119g/km of CO2, but loses out on performance (0-62mph in 8.2 secs and 143mph v 0-62mph in 7.6secs and 143mph) and in economy (61.6mpg v 64.2mpg.) Whereas the more frugal versions mate most naturally with the standard six-speed manual gearbox, both the ‘multitronic’ and dual-clutch S-tronic automatic transmissions are available, dependent on model.
The Audi A4 has plenty of worthwhile tricks up its sleeve, not least among them the option of satnav using Google Earth’s satellite bird’s eye view mapping. What you see is literally what you get; the landscape scrolling past on the satnav screen identical to the real world outside. There is also internet connectivity for up to eight laptops, phones and similar devices when the car adopts its role of mobile wi-fi hub.
Like BMW’s EfficientDynamics variants, Audi has now added an ‘efficiency’ mode to its optional ‘Adaptive Drive’ system to alter the character and dynamics of the A4. The mode makes all the expected changes to throttle response and change-up points but restrains the use of some not strictly essential energy-sapping functions such as climate control and heated seating. It all counts.
It is when we come to the ‘individual’ programming within the top-specification adaptive drive option that the biggest challenge the A4 faces vis-à-vis the new 3 Series becomes most evident. Because, for all the worthwhile updates that have been made elsewhere, something has gone mildly awry with the A4’s ride, handling and steering. For all the vast experience of Audi’s chassis engineers, there appears to have crept in a mismatch between spring rates and dampers which has done nothing for the A4’s ride qualities.
Even in ‘comfort’ mode the Audi transmits road surface imperfections to occupants to a quite surprising degree – imperfections which would go unnoticed within the thoroughly benchmark-setting BMW. Nor are matters helped by the newly-adopted electro-mechanical power steering, which lacks road feel and involvement even in its most sporting settings.
Just as with BMW and its 3 Series, the Audi A4, whether in saloon, Avant estate car, Allroad soft-roader or S4 ‘supersaloon’ form is Audi’s most important model, particularly when it comes to business users in the UK, where the two brands are slugging it out head-to-head, each on a 5.9 per cent market share.
On that basis, Audi is seeking to cover the waterfront with the A4 range. To the four-cylinder turbodiesel units it adds the new 204PS, 3-litre V6 turbodiesel first seen in A6 saloon and A7 Sportback, with a mightier 245PS version available in four-wheel-drive ‘quattro’ models. The three four-cylinder petrol engines range up to 211PS but considerably higher CO2 emissions and poorer fuel economy inevitably lessen their attractions to their business user, particularly in light of the strong, seamless and refined performance of the diesels.
What’s hot?
- Build quality, as ever from Audi, remains impeccable
- Very worthwhile BIK, VED gains from further improved economy, CO2
- That Google Earth satnav – U-turns, begone…
- Wireless network: up to eight devices within A4 can use car’s ‘hot-spot’
- Smooth, urgent performance of all diesel versions
- Successful styling re-work; driveway allure galore
- Tasteful interior colour and material updates
- ‘Black’ edition sports model – £2,250 extra for daunting road ‘presence’
- New selectable ‘efficiency’ mode for economical driving
What’s not?
- Ride and handling good but no match for BMW’s new 3 Series
- New electromechanical steering system lacks feel and precision
- Lane departure warning system steers car itself – an ‘aid’ too far?
What you need to Know
| P11D Value: | £30,075 |
| Monthly Rental*: | £n/a |
| Tax Band when posted: | 13%, 18%, 19% |
| Monthly BiK: | £65 20%/£130 40% 11/12; £90 20%/£180 40% 12/13 |
| Engine: | 2-litre, 4-cyl turbodiesel |
| CO2 Emissions: | 119g/km |
| Power/torque: | 177PS/246lb ft |
| Economy: | 61.6 mpg |
Business Car Manager Road Test Rating
The sweeping engineering and styling revisions Audi has made to one of the world’s most successful compact executive cars – 10.5m have been sold since the first generation Audi 80 appeared over 30 years ago – will guarantee the new A4 a place at or near the top of most business users’ wish lists.
It has even more dynamic good looks. Its build quality is an object lesson to many would-be rivals. The interior space is well planned and the ergonomic efficiency of the dashboard and controls layout is hard to fault.
Very worthwhile gains have been achieved in terms of CO2 emissions, fuel economy; to the benefit of BIK company car tax and VED payments by users and capital allowances for businesses. Not least, its optional connectivity and other electronic systems – like the Google Earth satnav and wi-fi – help provide a really attractive overall package against the new 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz’ C Class. The new Audi A4’s potential achilles’ heel, however, is its ride and handling when set against the peerless BMW. Their fight might turn out to be rather brutal…and could ruffle the Audi’s rather smart suit.
