The all-new Audi A4 offers an abundance of intelligent technologies, the use of which is even more intuitive with the new Audi MMI display and control concept. Oommen John P test drives the car.
The all-new Audi A4 that was recently unveiled by Wattayah Motors, the exclusive importers and distributors of Audi vehicles in Oman, is a fascinating synthesis of technology and esthetics.
The new Audi A4, which is 4.73-metre long and has a wheelbase of 2.82 metres-has a confident stance on the road. A prominent horizontal line on the front and rear emphasises the car’s width. The flowing design with concise lines communicates the sporty elegance of the brand.
Three different TFSI models are now available: the 35 TFSI with 150 hp (1.4 engine), 40 TFSI with 190 hp (2.0 engine) and the top of the range engine 45 TFSI with 252 hp (2.0 engine). The new-generation A4 Sedan has the best drag coefficient in its class at 0.23. The new models also have impressively low CO2 emissions. The most powerful engine for the Middle East will be a four-cylinder unit with 252 hp, S-tronic with quattro wheel drive. Driver assistance systems and infotainment are of luxury quality. A new generation of four-cylinder TFSI engines with newly developed combustion methods sets benchmarks in terms of fuel consumption, emissions and performance for four-cylinder gasoline engines. The technology in the brand’s bestselling family car has been redeveloped, so that it yet again defines the benchmark
in the segment.
Compared with the previous model, the car’s dimensions have grown but its weight has been reduced significantly – by up to 120 kilograms, depending on the engine. The body of the new Audi models is one of the lightest in its class, thanks to an intelligent material mix and lightweight construction.
The Audi A4 is a leader in its class, also in terms of noise levels. The front of the dashboard features a broad band of air outlets and a large decorative surface. At night, optional discreet contour lighting illuminates the doors and the central console.
The new model offers an abundance of intelligent technologies, the use of which is even more intuitive with the new Audi MMI display and control concept. Technological highlights of the new A4 include the Audi virtual cockpit, the Audi Matrix LED headlights, the Audi smartphone interface, the Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound, the Audi phone box with wireless charging, the head-up display and new driver assistance systems like the parking assist, rear cross-traffic assist, exit warning, collision avoidance assist, turn assist and the Audi pre-sense systems.
Innovations
The focus here is on two innovations. The optional Audi virtual cockpit, a fully digital combination instrument, features a 12.3-inch LCD screen that displays the most important information in brilliant high-resolution graphics, with great detail and sophisticated effects. The MMI control concept in the center console is also a newly designed feature and acts as the main control element. The top-end infotainment system, MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch and a large 8.3-inch monitor, has a touchpad in the rotary controller to zoom in and out and to enter characters. The entire MMI control logic is similar to that of a smartphone and includes an intelligent free-text search function. The new, more natural, voice-control system also understands input in normal everyday language, such as “I want to call Peter Miller.”
The Audi smartphone interface is a new feature. It integrates iOS and Android mobile phones into an environment developed especially for this purpose – Audi MMI. The Audi phone box connects smartphones to the on-board antenna and charges them inductively according to the Qi standard. For discerning hi-fi fans, the Bang & Olufsen Sound System with innovative 3D sound is available, which introduces the additional dimension of height. The new Audi tablet can also be used as flexible rear seat entertainment.
“With improved levels of standard technology, the Audi A4 is not only positioned to appeal to existing customers in the region, but will also attract a new range of buyers looking for a premium and stylish sedan,” says David Ryan, general manager, Audi Oman. “Today we have vehicles that cater to almost every customer segment. We are confident that with the emergence of the A4, there will be a consolidated shift towards this segment in the future,” adds David.
The new Audi A4 has been launched in Oman with three TFSI engines. Their power output has increased significantly and ranges from 150 hp to 252 hp, but fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 21 percent. All the engines combine high-efficiency with sporty power delivery and smoothness. The new Audi A4 has a groundbreaking innovation for the gasoline engines: The 2.0 TFSI ultra with 190 hp uses an absolutely new combustion method that makes it especially efficient and allows fuel consumption of 4.8 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km.
The powertrain and the chassis of the new Audi A4 has been completely redeveloped. The seven-gear S tronic (now also available for front-wheel drive) has been redesigned; the automatic transmission now offers a fuel-saving freewheeling function. Wheel-selective torque control supplements the work of the front-wheel drive and the quattro drive.
The handling of new A4 makes a great leap forward: on the one hand sporty and performance oriented, but with a focus on comfort at the same time. The suspension and steering filter out disturbances such as an uneven road surface, but communicate to the driver important information such as increases in lateral forces and tracking. This performance is based on the redeveloped five-link axles and the electromechanical power steering – they are exceptionally light. They lay the foundation for dynamic handling and first-class ride comfort while also reducing fuel consumption.