Audi A4

June 2001

Audi A4 - architecture in motion

Audi is again setting a benchmark in the premium segment for mid-size cars. The latest-generation A4 offers a host of innovative technology, being the quintessence of Audi's "Vorsprung durch Technik" and pointing the way into the future with advanced architecture and styling.

In its latest guise, Audi’s A4 has moved further upmarket with a level of standard safety and luxury equipment undreamed of before in this class. Standard on models across the board are Audi’s Freeway maintenance plan (lately increased from the 50 000 km limit to 5 years/100 000 km), high-grade sound system with front-loader CD player, SIDEGUARD airbags and a host of other innovative safety features. Five engine derivatives are available and, for the first time, Audi has used two completely new petrol engines with aluminium engine block in the latest A4: a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder unit with 96 kW and a 3.0-litre V6 with 162 kW on tap. The tried-and-tested 1.8 T four-cylinder turbo unit with 110 kW, and the 2,4 litre 125kW V6  completes the choice of petrol engines.  

A Diesel derivative, the TDi, is powered by VW/Audis 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine turning out 96 kW and a gut wrenching 285 Nm of torque at a mere 1750 rpm. The tank now holds up to 70 litres of fuel, which means that TDi drivers can now profit from operating ranges of around 1300 kilometers. In fact, the 1.9 TDi could lay claim to being the most fuel efficient car on South African roads. German tests claim figures of 7.4 litres/100 km for the urban cycle, an incredible 4.4 l/100 km for highway driving and an overall average of a mere 5.5 l/100 km.   

The key technical feature of this new diesel engine is its high-pressure pump-injector fuel injection, which currently enables the highest pressure potential (up to 2050 bar) currently available - the perfect basis for high performance and low emissions.  Transmission choices include five-speed manual gearboxes, as well as Audi’s revolutionary new continuously variable automatic transmission known as multitronic.

With the exception of the three litre all wheel drive quattro model, all models are front wheel drive. Distinct Audi traits are evident in the A4’s styling cues - clear-glass headlights, the Audi radiator grille and a high waistline – as is the use of advanced lightweight technology for even the smallest of details.

Standard equipment include automatic climate control (with individual temperature choice for driver and passenger and which is regulated depending on the position of the sun).

Included in the standard specification list is an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP); an electronic brake assist system (BAS); SIDEGUARD, Audi's head airbag system covering almost the entire side window area from the A-post to the rear compartment; and ABS, EBD, ASR and EDL. The new, intelligent crash sensors for the front airbags detect the severity of an accident and thus ensure controlled activation of the airbags. And passengers benefit from the further improved crash resistance of the A4 body and minimal deformation of the passenger compartment.

Safety features abound to make the A4 one of the safest cars in its class. In fact, being 45% more rigid than its predecessor due to the lightweight aluminium Audi Space Frame design, the A4 has already earned itself four stars for safety in the stringent Euro NCAP crash assessment programme by offering superior rankings in the side crash and pole impact categories, and good performance in the frontal crash. The Euro NCAP crash test is regarded throughout Europe as the toughest and most highly regarded method of assessing a car’s passive safety.

A decisive measure for weight reduction is the expansive use of high-strength and very high-strength sheet-metal panels, which make up a total of 45 percent of the bodyshell weight – an outstanding achievement, not just in this vehicle category. These special sheet panels are used primarily in the front end of the new A4 where the main priority is to absorb impact energy as effectively as possible in a frontal crash. As a protective cage, the occupant cell must also make sure that deformation and intrusion are minimized in a crash. Three large tailored blanks in the floor area perform part of this task. The advantage of this special technology is that the generally large-format tailored blanks can be structured in such a way that high wall thicknesses are only used in areas subjected to particularly high loads; a reduction in weight and a rigid structure can thus be effectively combined. In all, ten large tailored-blank components are used on the new Audi A4.

The latest car is bigger than its predecessor in all respects - 69 mm longer (increasing rear legroom by 41 mm), 33 mm wider and 13 mm higher. It also has a bigger boot, taking 445 litres.

Driving the new Audis is an absolute delight, the front drive layout no longer the cause of the great divide between it and its German peers. The cars show poise and balance under the wildest conditions and have never before looked this competitive.

 Buyers have a choice of 16 exterior colours, which includes particularly sporty shades such as Silver metallic and Amulet Red, and also more elegant colours such as Burgundy Red pearl effect and Crystal Blue metallic.

Service intervals  occur every 15 000 km, while all models are covered by a one year unlimited mechanical warranty, 5 year/100 000 km Freeway Plan (which can optionally be extended in increments), 3 year warranty on paint and a 12 year warranty against rust penetration.

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