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Head turner

Style and comfort With the longest wheel-base and width, the A4 has ample room for both front and rear occupants

A car that is capable of beating the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class. That’s what many have been waiting for, and finally, it’s here. Entering the market is Audi’s all new A4. While the earlier model from the German c armaker might have passed for good, albeit not particularly eye-catching, this one grabs attention, and how.

The distinctive ‘string-of-pearls’ LED headlight, that has been pulled off Audi’s R8 sports car, serves as bait, and then you’re hooked. It might appear that this is the only radical feature on the A4, but it is not so. A closer look at new features like the wing or front spoiler that seems to be inspired by the design of an F1 car, as well as the ‘handle-bar’ tail-lamps help dispel such a notion.

Hop into the driver’s seat and all qualms are put to rest. There is simply no doubt that you are sitting in an Audi. The cabin is plush and everything is within easy reach. There is plenty of room for storage, particularly as the car comes sans a handbrake lever, the function of which is carried out by a diminutive button marked ‘P’. The car also comes equipped with a Bang & Olufsen sound system that has 10 channels and 14 speakers, including the subwoofer. However this does not do enough to mask the fact that the interiors are slightly disappointing, not being as advanced as the rest of the car.

With the longest wheel-base in the class and the most width too, the A4 has ample cabin room for both front and rear occupants. The front seats are large and extremely comfortable. Finding the perfect driving position is a breeze as everything is adjustable. While the rear backrest might not be the most comfortable, the abundant legroom ensures that you can sprawl out a little, and get comfy. However, accommodating a fifth passenger without complaints is difficult. An interesting feature is the presence of blinds all around that ensures you remain ensconced within the A4, away from prying eyes.

A peek under the bonnet shows you just how aesthetically appealing an engine can be.

And that beautiful beast under the hood of the car certainly is one of the most fervent engines we’ve encountered recently. The Audi’s 265bhp FSI direct petrol injection motor is more than eager to show you what it can do. All it takes is some gentle pressure on the accelerator. Gaps in traffic are tempting, and you won’t be able to resist the urge to try and squeeze out every bit of horse power that the engine is capable of delivering. It might not be as refined as that on a BMW or Merc, but it’s more than able to meet the challenge of competing with them. Engine noise when idling is nil, and at the most a slight buzz might enter the cabin.

When on road, the car means serious business. It manages to achieve phenomenal grip thanks to the Quattro system and ensures that you can use all the power both on straight roads, as well as on bends. And the straight-line stability is a thing to be marvelled at – rock solid, even at 200kph. The fact that the electric steering gets heavy as you approach triple-digit speed figures can be irksome. And while it matches the BMW 325i speed-wise, what gives it an edge over the Beamer is that it does so with added finesse.

Coming to fuel efficiency, while this motor may be a more efficient direct injection gasoline unit, the low octane rating on our fuel negates this advantage. The A4’s compression of 12.5:1, high even for a more tolerant direct injection motor, means it continuously has to retard its ignition to protect itself from knocking. This means fuel is not being efficiently burned. We got 5.0 and 7.3 kilometres per litre in city and highway conditions respectively; poor figures, but using 97 octane will help.

Overall, the new A4 is not a typically cold and clinical Audi. Dynamic, exciting and designed to appeal to a younger customer, it is a car you will want more than need. The headlights make it stand out, it looks larger than its rivals, and space and comfort are better too. The 265bhp motor gives it incredible pace, the quattro system provides leech-like grip and Audi’s ‘dynamic drive’ allows you to optimise it for a relaxed and comfy ride or some serious fun. Comfort in the rear may be only marginally better that its rivals, fuel economy may be far from practical and ground clearance close to dismal. Additionally, interior quality may be only passable by Audi standards and the car is expensive too. So, this is not the most practical petrol compact exec. But it’s just so much fun you tend to forget its shortcomings. This is the new king of the compact luxury segment.

TECHNICAL DATA Price Rs 36 lakh(ex-showroom, Mumbai)

LxWxH 4703 x 1826 x 1427mm

Wheelbase2808mm

Tuning circle 11.4metres

Kerb weight1580(P)kg

Engine V6, 3197cc, petrol

Installation Front, longitudinal, front

wheel drive/Quattro(P)

Power 265bhp

Torque 33kgm@3000-5000rpm

Gearbox 6-speed multi-tronic

Fuek tank 64litres

Brakes Ventilated discs all round

Tyre Size 225/55 R16

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