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Audi A4 facelift

Best-selling Audi A4 gets a refresh, with new look and more efficient engines

Audi A4 facelift corner

Text: Luke Madden / Photos: Pete Gibson

November 2011

The Audi A4 is part of a fiercely contested segment where looks, technology, quality and CO2 emissions are all-important. So when BMW took the wraps of an all-new 3 Series and Mercedes facelifted the C-Class, Audi had to take action with a more stylish and more efficient A4. 

 

The new look isn’t revolutionary but Audi has done just enough to modernise the A4. Most striking are the changes to the front, with re-redesigned headlights, more angular air-vents and flattened fog-lights the stand out features. 

Step inside the cabin and Audi has managed to make the A4’s interior even more impressive. Additional gloss black trim and a few chrome strips make it an even more classy place to be, while fewer switches controlling the audio and climate systems make it much more user-friendly. The volume control, for example, now shifts left and right to allow drivers to skip tracks rather than using two additional buttons. 



There have also been tweaks to the engine line-up across the board to improve emissions and boost power. Where the cleanest engine – the 134bhp 2.0-litre TDI – used to emit 119g/km, it now emits just 112g/km. For comparison’s sake that’s only 3g/km short of the class-leading BMW 316d ED. Fuel economy has been boosted to 65.7mpg.

On the move the engine feels punchy and, a little smoother than it has done in the past thanks to an updated flywheel that reduces vibrations at low-revs. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 9.3 seconds which is unchanged from the old model but certainly still quick enough during everyday driving. Motorway driving is a specialty, with plenty of torque for overtaking and a hushed engine note. 

Improvements have also been made to the suspension, which has been fine-tuned to deliver better handling and ride comfort. Admittedly the effect is only minor but with the 17-inch wheels fitted to our test car, and with the Audi Drive Select system fitted we had no complaints about the ride. 

This system allows drivers to tweak the dampers, steering and accelerator response, with choices ranging from Comfort to Dynamic – and now including an Efficiency mode for the first time. Set it to Dynamic and the weighty, precise steering allows you to thread the A4 threw tight bends at high speeds. With very little body roll and plenty of grip you never lose confidence. But – and it’s a but leveled at a lot of Audis – it almost feels too capable and there’s a sense you’re disconnected from the driving. 

On the plus side Audi has now made many of the gadgets available in its larger and more expensive models a feature in the A4. The MMI Plus system now offers a wireless internet hotspot in the car and the sat-nav screen shows images from Google Maps. There are also new automatic braking and lane departure warning systems too. 

The 2.0-litre TDIe model we tested costs from £26,555 – a  £1500 premium over the old car – but there’s plenty of standard equipment thrown in. Climate control, 17-inch alloys, fatigue detection and cruise control are all included, while an extra £1,100 upgrades to SE Technik trim and adds leather seats, sat-nav and parking sensors.

For an alternative review of the latest Audi A4 visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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15 Comments

Evolutionary

Definitely evolution as opposed to revolution here.

I guess it works - as far as sales go



http://mylookathealth.blogspot.com

By DrAbs on 30 November, 2011, 11:37pm

Wow! They've put an extra bend in the LED disco lights and changed the foglights from round to squarish. I must have it.
At least they're throwing in fatigue detection.

By gherkins123 on 1 December, 2011, 8:18am

lol gherkins123 :-)

By DrAbs on 1 December, 2011, 9:04am

Audi A4

Its like deja vu. What's the purpose of having a design team at Audi anymore? They must be so bored or ever so boring.

By Mike_the_Trike on 1 December, 2011, 11:31am

Fatigue Detection

Haha brilliant!! Great fuel for Audi jokes.

By Bloodyannoying on 1 December, 2011, 2:08pm

sorry...what were we saying...dropped off there

Didnt Audi put a curvy stripe along the car only last summer...All this refresh just to nicely time with BMW new 3-series launch. What does Audi do these days re road cars...little innovation and turning cars into white goods. Come on Audi develop something innovative or maybe you just want to sell 'units'...

By reddo on 2 December, 2011, 8:33am

Audi Do Want to sell

Before anymore get too excited, or not in this case REMEMBER, this is a facelift model. Not a New One like what BMW has recently done.

I remember when mercedes brought out the New 'Facelifted' C class. Mercedes new they had to up their game based on both Audi and BMW. Matt Watson reviewed the new C Class originally and still found that the Audi and BMW were still better.

I know Audi are working on the New 'B9 chassis' A4 to rival the Recent new 3 series. Mercedes are also working on the new C class. Look out BMW! We should see pictures of the new Audi A4/Merc C within the latter part of 2012. That will take the fight to BMW.

By A330driver on 2 December, 2011, 8:27pm

Sorry its me again...i hate autocorrect......

Before anyone gets too excited, or not in this case REMEMBER, this is a facelift model. Not a New One like what BMW has recently done.

I remember when Mercedes brought out the New 'Facelifted' C class. Mercedes knew they had to up their game based on both Audi and BMW. Carbuyer/Autoexpress presenter - Matt Watson reviewed the new 2011 C Class originally and still found that the Audi and BMW were still better.

I know Audi are working on the New 'B9 chassis' A4 to rival the Recent new BMW 3 series. Mercedes are also working on the new C class. Look out BMW! We should see pictures of the new Audi A4/Merc C within the latter part of 2012. That will take the fight to BMW.

By A330driver on 2 December, 2011, 8:31pm

Dull

Audi is so chav, every Tom Dick and Harry drives one, especially the A4 convertible. A married bloke down my road drives one, he thinks it makes him more attractive to women when he picks up his 3 daughters from school, what a sado.

By scott1234 on 3 December, 2011, 2:43am

Is this journalism or PR?

"Where the cleanest engine – the 134bhp 2.0-litre TDI – used to emit 119g/km, it now emits just 112g/km. For comparison’s sake that’s only 3g/km short of the class-leading BMW 316d ED. Fuel economy has been boosted to 65.7mpg. "

If I got the UK road tax right, the brackets go from xx0 to xx9 g/km, so it doesn't make a difference if it's 112 or 119.
On the other hand, IT MAKES a difference if it's 109, as in the case of a 3-series, so who gives a c*** if Audi's fugure is "only 3g short od Bmw's", when it's in another bracket!?

The official mpg figured (calculated from co2) are purely accademic, becaure sthe ral world figure for both cars will be 40-50, depending on the driver, conditions, wheel/tyre combo etc...

By mko_20vt on 6 December, 2011, 11:23am

scott1234

Think scott1234 is getting a bit confused BMW is the chav brand the majority of BMW drivers wear bling or are either 90 years old. Now back to the car, haven't seen it yet but it looks ok for a face lift, why go on about BMW 3 series it's as common as muck.

By harryg on 6 December, 2011, 2:06pm

hang on... they must have mistaken this A6 for an A4

By corsamani on 6 December, 2011, 6:35pm

Boring

The Audi 80/A4 reached its peak lookswise with the first A4 and hasn't advanced since.

By Ian2861 on 9 December, 2011, 12:03pm

bren

an extra bend in the LED's, and they charge £1500 extra??? did u all notice the ''extras'' at extra cost??? standard on just about every other non german car??? what an absolute pack of jokers. suppose u cant really blame Audi, its the complete GOBSH---S that buy them? i would get more excited looking at a pile of road grit. Audi's 4ring circus trundles on!!!

By brendan on 9 December, 2011, 3:57pm

Q3

they probably shoulda called it the A-NUS, Non Utility Sport!!!

By brendan on 9 December, 2011, 4:09pm

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Audi A4 facelift corner
Audi A4 facelift
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FIRST OPINION

    We already thought that the A4 was a fantastic all-rounder but now with a more stylish look, a range of even more efficient engines and a host of new gadgets it’s now better than ever. That one criticism remains though – the A4 still needs a good injection of fun to allow it steal sales from the current driver’s choice, the BMW 3 Series. 

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: From £26,555
    Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 134bhp
    Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
    0-62mph: 9.3 seconds
    Top speed: 134mph
    Economy: 65.7mpg
    Emissions: 112g/km
    Equipment: Cruise control, electric windows, climate control, fatigue detection, 17-inch alloy wheels.
    On sale: Now (deliveries in March)
     
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