2007 Audi A4 Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2014 Audi A4 as a used buy. A major player in the trio of prestigious German cars Audi has become very strong in Australia in recent times. The Audi A4 is a midrange model that’s sold as a sedan, a two-door cabriolet and an Avant station wagon.  A further

For years Audi struggled to gain equal footing with BMW and Mercedes in Australia, but that has all changed and sales have been climbing at double-digit rates for several years now. Though the Audi range is extensive and growing even larger all the time the A4, with its smaller brother the A3 at its side, has

Audi has attained a level of luxury and sophistication so envied by many of its rivals. There have been many notable milestones down the years for Audi, one of the world's oldest automotive names, all contributing to redefining the very DNA of the third German brand.From the introduction of quattro drive to the switch to lightweight aluminium for construction and components to the pioneering use of high-tech equipment like low-energy LED lights; and soon the launch of one of the world's greenest diesels; the brand has been winning many fans in the desirability stakes.Audi has been placing emphasis on sporty and sophistication; and it's winning hearts as a result.But if Audi wants to successfully don the 'driver's car' mantle worn by the likes of BMW then it has to earn its rightful place.Some mainstream models to date have shown the Audi recipe hasn't quite been perfected; some vital ingredients have been provided in only three-quarter measure.There's no question Audi has the styling to turn heads; look at the sexy TT; and it has the power to impress; drive the just-launched RS8 or the more affordable RS4 and you'll come away smiling.And Audi has attained a level of luxury and sophistication so envied by many of its rivals; you only have to look at the flagship A8.But missing in its mainstream models has been balance and handling, something Audi has made a serious effort to address in the latest version of its biggest selling model, the executive class A4, which will hit the Australian market in April as a rival to the 3-Series Bimmer, C-Class Benz and the likes of the Lexus IS250 and Honda Accord Euro.Under the skin, the A4 is very much a new beast, and carguide's first drive over Sardinia's mountainous roads proved it now handles as well as its redefined and distinctive looks.The success of the A4 can't be understated for Audi Australia. While niche models like the RS8 supply the sauce, it is models like the A4 which add the meat to its sales story.The A4 has played a cornerstone position in Audi Australia's remarkable growth, with sales for the year up 39 per cent over the same period last year and the brand well on track for its fifth consecutive year of market growth. But Audi Australia is hungry for further expansion and its wish list is lengthy.“If we can get the models we want for the right price and there's a market, then we'll take them,” Audi Australia spokeswoman Anna Burgdorf said.That wish list includes the sporty S4 variant, a new RS4, the practical A4 wagon (expected at the Paris Motor Show next September), the A4 cabriolet and the Q5, the smaller brother to the SUV Q7. While they don't like to talk about it openly at Audi, the hands are up for future models like the A4 sports hatch and the baby twins, the A1 and S1, designed to take on the likes of the Mini Cooper.Meanwhile, the immediate focus is on the A4, which shares much in common with the just-launched A5 coupe as well as borrowing technology from the luxury A6 and A8. The A4 Audi will continue with its now well-proven direct fuel injection technology for both petrol and diesel engines, a system which boosts power and lowers fuel consumption.Four versions of the A4 will be presented in Australia in April; two petrol and two diesel. Pricing is still being finalised, but Burgdorf says the entry model, the well-equipped 1.8-litre turbocharged FSI petrol, will come in at somewhere between $50,000 and $55,000 and will be the volume seller. The existing 1.8 sells for $56,150 while the cheapest model in the current line-up is the 2-litre naturally aspirated sedan at $50,450.Also in the first wave will be the direct fuel-injected 3.2-litre petrol, a turbo 2-litre diesel and the larger 2.7-litre diesel.Other versions, including the 3-litre 176kW diesel, which packs 500Nm of torque, is a given. Next year, Audi will boost its green credentials by offering an ultra-low emission version of this motor, promising it will be one of the cleanest oil burners in the world, meeting emission standards which won't be in force in Europe until 2014.It will feature sensors within the combustion chamber to manage the injection system and use an additive injected into the exhaust, which cuts the emissions of oxides of nitrogen by as much as 90 per cent at the tail pipe. The additive, also being adopted by rival brands and even the trucking industry, converts into ammonia under high temperatures, which in turn breaks down the oxides of nitrogen in the exhaust into harmless nitrogen and water.Internationally, Audi has launched the A4 with a range of five more powerful but more frugal engines and a choice of three transmissions, including an eight-speed CVT.The petrol engines, all with high-compression direct fuel injection (FSI), gain an average 13 per cent reduction in fuel usage.The naturally aspirated 3.2 V6 has 195kW (up from 188kW) and now features variable valve lift for better flexibility. Maximum torque of 330Nm is available from 3000 to 5000rpm. Audi says the quattro version, with a six-speed manual, can do the zero to 100km/h dash in a respectable 6.2 seconds. Maximum speed is governed at 250km/h. It will also be available with a six-speed tiptronic auto box.The turbocharged four-cylinder 1.8 is good for 118kW with peak torque of 250Nm, with most of it on tap from 1500 to 4500rpm. Audi quotes a zero to 100km/h time of 8.6 seconds for the front-wheeler. It will come with a manual or CVT Multitronic transmission. Reflecting just how far engine technology has advanced, the four-cylinder now develops as much power as a V6 did only a few years ago.The diesels are a win-win story; they come with common-rail fuel injection with piezo injectors and benefit from an average 6 per cent cut in fuel use and are quieter as well as being Euro 5 emission compliant.There are two V6s and a four-cylinder in the mix. The pick is the quattro 3-litre turbo; which now develops 176kW (up from 171kW) with a massive 500Nm of torque (was 450Nm) spread from 1500 to 3000rpm. The diesel is good for a zero to 100km/h sprint in an impressive 6.9 seconds. It comes with a six-speed manual.The line-up also includes a 2.7-litre diesel with 140kW (up from 132kW) and 400Nm on tap and a promised fuel consumption of just 6.6l/100km.The baby of the diesel range is the cheap-to-run 2-litre turbo with 105kW and 320Nm. With a six-speed manual, Audi says it's good for just 5.5l/100km. It also will be available with an eight-speed CVT transmission.Standout features of the A4 will include Audi's optional innovative multimedia centre (a much more intuitive and easier-to-operate system than BMW's iDrive), and a three-zone automatic airconditioning system. The quirky looking LED running lights, resembling the horns of a bull, which underscore the headlamps are for daytime use and will be included in the Australian models. They are the handiwork of Spanish designer Andreu Sola who came to Audi from SEAT and give the A4 its focal point.Like the A5/S5 coupe, the sedan is built on Audi's new and flexible Modular Longitudinal-mounted engine Platform (MLP), which will also be the architecture for the next generation A6, the Q5 and the next A8. The platform has been designed to accept interchangeable modules for the drive trains, suspensions, axles and electronics, cutting production costs.The A4's design revolution includes a logical repositioning of the engine components (first tried on the A8) to give the car better balance. It neatly overcomes the previous model's handicap of being too front-heavy, creating understeer. It has also allowed a stretching of the wheelbase and bonnet while the new A4 is also slightly wider and the huge overhangs have disappeared.That all adds up to a big improvement in cabin and boot space, especially in the backseat.The rebalancing act was achieved by swapping the position of the front differential with the clutch and torque converter. That allowed the front axle to be shoved forward by a massive 15.4cm.Other changes include an all-new alloy front suspension, a revamp of the rear set-up, and on the quattro versions the torque split now favours the rear with a 60/40 bias; the same as used on the current RS4.Chopping off the A4's ugly front overhang has improved its appearance and stretching the wheelbase and bonnet make the car look bigger than its actual size.The styling job gives the A4 a more muscular, purposeful stance. The rear end looks chunky and there's a more sculptured look to the profile.On the technology front, the A4 showcases the new Audi Drive Select system, similar to BMW's, which allows the driver to tailor the throttle, damper, variable steering and gear shift patterns to suit their driving style or road conditions.And there's a raft of electronic goodies like an optional Bang and Olufsen sound system, tyre pressure monitors, Bluetooth capability, parking sensors, adaptive steering, adaptive cruise control and a lane change collision warning system similar to that used by Volvo.But pick of the techno bits is a warning system which tells a driver they are wandering out of their lane by vibrating the steering wheel; an idea already used by Citroen. It works by using a small forward-facing camera mounted on the windscreen, which looks at the lane markings and works out if the car is about to cross them. The system only works at speeds greater than 65km/h and can be cancelled by using the traffic indicator.The most important safety innovation is the new adaptive steering system. Using a small electric motor, the system works away in the background and can make slight but rapid changes to the car's steering ratio based on road speed (without the driver being aware of it) to help overcome both under and oversteer at high speeds or instability while heavy braking on uneven surfaces.It works in tandem with an electronic stability control system but Audi says it can react and make changes to the car's direction up to three times quicker; than by just relying on ESP utilising the car's brakes to regain control.There are up to eight airbags, with Audi using sensors in the seat to determine the weight and position of passengers to tailor the inflation of the bags for maximum effect. Road testBMW should be considered the benchmark for building true driver's cars, be alarmed or just alert at the effect the Audi A4 could have on its grip on the executive car market?Alarmed, possibly, but alert? Certainly.The A4; even the base 1.8-litre petrol version, expected to be the volume seller in Australia; delivers a convincing argument that Audi now has the credentials to play in BMW's own back yard.Until now Audi hasn't been much of a serious threat to its German rival, but the A4 is different; big on performance, with a big dose of fun factor as a bonus.When the current A4 was launched in 2004 it was more of an evolution of the model, even though it had been given a design makeover. But it was flawed; not seriously, but flawed nevertheless.The new A4 is a revolution, adding well-mannered handling to its credentials, and in doing so positions itself much closer to its German rivals, especially the prowess of the BMW 3Series.The previous A4 was likeable and civilised but demanded concentration and effort if driven with spirit. It lacked poise. Being nose-heavy, it had a propensity to understeer; all easily controlled, but the driver had to work hard.A day's driving of the new A4 over the twisty mountain roads of Sardinia; quickly confirmed that Audi's efforts to transform the sedan have worked a treat.This is an imposing car from most angles. Its high belt-line and dashboard tends to envelop you in the cabin, but the A4 is comfortable and now comes with more rear legroom, while the cockpit has been angled more towards the driver.And the new MMI; that's Audispeak for Multi Media Interface; which works very well. The MMI is a one-stop shop to control the car's settings, audio and navigation systems and is much easier and more intuitive than BMW's often-criticised iDrive.Look around the cabin and you will find a lot of technology handed down from the A8 and A6, like the smart-key transponder and the designed-for-America electric parking brake.But the really impressive stuff is under the skin, thanks to Audi's tinkering with the car's balance and suspension. Handling in the front-wheel-drive models has become crisper, with better turn-in, while the Quattro, thanks to the change in torque split putting more emphasis to the rear, now feels closer to BMW in dynamics, with the added advantage of all-wheel-drive traction.Rebalancing the car's mass was a logical fix to the problems associated with the previous model, but the outcome is nevertheless a surprise, considering there's still a great lump of motor ahead of the front axle.The A4 can be three cars in one. Alter the car's dampening rates and level of steering assistance using the optional Drive Select; you get a choice of switching between comfort, dynamic and letting the car make its own mind up; produces vastly different handling characteristics.The comfort setting may be a tad too soft for Australia's roads and the steering provides only a modicum of feedback. The dynamic setting brings it closer to a true sports saloon. There's less steering assistance and you can feel the steering loading up in the twisty stuff; it's more direct and accurate. The downside is that the firmer ride on uneven surfaces can feel fidgety.What was impressive was just how much meaty torque is available over a wide rev range from both petrol and diesel versions. In the diesels especially there's plenty of reassuring pulling power for passing . At mid revs the A4 hunkers down as the rush of torque comes into play.Push the car hard over sweeping roads and the handling feels reasonably neutral, with little sign of torque-steer in the front-wheel versions. The Quattro, on the other hand, is simply awesome.The performance of the 2.7-litre diesel in particular impressed, acting more like a petrol than an oil-burner.But the big surprise was the entry-level 1.8-litre petrol; which acted as though it had a larger engine under the bonnet, and being lighter than the V6s gave it great agility.But Sardinia's smooth roads worked both for and against the A4. They highlighted the car's suppleness but also masked its ability to cope with uneven and rough chip surfaces typically found in Australia. When it did face the rough patch it showed the cabin wasn't isolated from suspension clatter and noise. At times there was a feeling the redesigned front suspension, whic was too hard and the rear just the opposite, being spongy. Only testing Down Under on more familiar road surfaces will prove if this is an issue.The A4 has been transformed into a classy act and its handling is now as good as its bold styling. Perhaps BMW should be alarmed after all.