FirstDrive: Audi A4Audi has made an enormous leap forward with its latest A4, putting it in pole position to take on BMW's 3-Series, writes Motoring Editor Michael McAleer
A revolution in the premium family sector may be upon us. BMW's bestseller may just have met its match in the new Audi A4. For over a decade now, the 3-Series has been the benchmark for every premium family saloon on the market.
Now, finally, someone has closed the gap to such an extent that BMW will have to take a long look at the extra weight and feel of its best-selling model.
The new A4 may not look dramatically different from its predecessor, but this car is an enormous step up from the current A4 and could finally establish the brand as rightful rival to the traditional German duo of Mercedes and BMW.
For several years, cynics dismissed the brand as nothing more than a range of revamped Volkswagens, its parent company. However, if there were ever any doubts about Audi's intentions to be considered a true premium player, they are being answered by the recent raft of model launches, from the R8 sports car to the A5 coupé.
You only have to look at Audi's expanding model portfolio and serious intent in terms of quality.
Now comes an A4 that - although we only spent a day driving the various models - certainly felt as taut and well-built as any 3-Series from the Bavarians. With the exception of the flagship RS4, that's something we'd never have written to date.
The driving force behind the change could well be a fear that Audi needs to establish itself alongside the other two German marques before competitors from Asia - particularly Lexus - close in on them. It no longer wants to be seen as the entry brand to the premium market.
Whatever the reasons, there's no denying Audi is undergoing a renaissance. Strong year-on-year growth is supported by a model line-up that, in most instances at least, is a viable rival to the likes of BMW and Mercedes.
The good news for fans of the brand is that at the heart of these efforts has been a dedication to build quality that's the equal of Japanese rivals. Where once it was the slightly posh cousin of Volkswagen, over the past few years, a reputation for rock solid build quality and some increasingly attractive sports models have won it critical acclaim.
Now comes the A4, arguably the most important model in its range, the big volume seller at a time when growing market share is the aim of the game. And the good news for Audi fans is that it no longer trails in the shadows of the once dominant 3-Series.
BMW should be concerned. The 3-Series has long been regarded as the best handling car in its class, but suddenly, where the previous Audi felt a little fussy in corners, this new car seems to match - if not better - the efforts of BMW.
This is the same chassis that was recently introduced on the A5 coupé and it's the best we've driven from the Audi family.
To quote one colleague who really put the car through its paces on the twisting mountain routes of Sardinia yesterday, this new A4 is simply unflappable.
We tested 2-litre, 3-litre diesel, 3.2-litre petrol and 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol versions and each one, though offering something a little different in terms of performance and handling, rode on a chassis that seemed incredibly taut. On some of the most challenging - yet entertaining - roads in Europe, the car hugged the corners with the four tyres firmly rooted to the road, even at high speed.
The steering, particularly on the bigger engined versions, was incredibly precise, with the car hugging in to the corner and seeming to pivot around the inside wheel. That was particularly the case with models fitted with Quattro four-wheel-drive, though the front-wheel-drive versions were in no ways disappointing.
There's also a great sense of interaction with the driver, thanks to excellent feedback through the steering, something that BMW once seemed to have a patent on.
Of the three engines, the 1.8-litre with front-wheel-drive was very light and nimble, but the 2-litre diesel is the best package coming to Ireland. It may not offer the same performance as BMW's impressive 2-litre diesel, but it suits the car well.
Also on offer is Audi's Drive Select system, which offers three settings: comfort, automatic and dynamic. Each setting adjusts the throttle response, steering and damping. Like all these adaptive suspension systems, it's firmer than many Irish motorists will desire. But the good news for them is that the regular suspension offers a better degree of comfort over bumpy roads. Buyers note: forget about Drive Select unless you don't mind a bumpy ride.
In terms of aesthetics, we've already been introduced to some of its styling characteristics.
Key design signatures have been taken from the A5, the most obvious of which is the more solid, sporting stance. It will not be mistaken for anything other than an A4, but the little touches give it a proper premium feel.
An admirable design feature is the inclusion of a strip of LED lights running under the bi-xenon lights. Unfortunately, these will only come as an option for €1,500 on all but the range-topping versions in Ireland.
The interior is of the same benchmark quality that Audi has been lauded for of late.
New features include various grades of Audi's MMI control system: a mix of turning knob and buttons to control everything from radio to Sat-Nav and in higher grade models the suspension settings.
Criticisms of the car would centre on the fact that, although it is bigger than its predecessor, space in the back is still not quite comfortable for tall adults. It's certainly not on a par with the likes of the Ford Mondeo, though it does match the likes of the 3-Series and Lexus IS.
The boot, at 480 litres - with more room if you fold the rear seats down - is well on a par with rivals. For those wishing for more room, an Avant version will be launched next summer.
Unfortunately for Irish buyers, Audi has opted - for now - not to feature either a 1.6-litre petrol or 1.9-litre diesel in its engine range.
Instead, on offer is the 1.8-litre petrol and 2-litre diesel, both available with varying horsepower and the first versions to come to Ireland in January.
Better news is that the prices have not risen dramatically, and the first engines to arrive are up only slightly on comparable replacements. The new 1.8T 160bhp will be €40,300, replacing a current 1.8-litre model priced at €39,900, while the 2-litre TDI 143bhp is priced at €44,200 and replaces the outgoing 2-litre 140bhp version which cost €43,320.
Perhaps as some comfort to entry-level 1.6-litre owners seeking to move up, a 1.8T petrol version with 120bhp will be offered later in 2008, with prices likely to start below €37,500. When it arrives in Ireland in the first weeks of the new year, we'll have a better chance to pitch it directly against its 3-Series rival, but after a day behind the wheel of tight and twisting turns and beautiful empty roads, the A4 seemed to sparkle in a way that it never has for us before.
This could very well be the car that usurps the Bavarian's throne.
Factfile: Audi A4
Engines:First for launch on the Irish market when the car arrives in January will be the 1.8-litre turbocharged 120bhp petrol engine and 2-litre TDI 143bhp diesel.
These will be followed in March by two more versions of the 2-litre diesel - with a choice of 120bhp or 170bhp - and new 1.8T versions with a choice of 120bhp, 143bhp and 160bhp.
An array of larger engines, including a 2.7-litre TDI, 3-litre TDI and 3.2-litre petrol.
Transmission:Six-speed manual, Multitronic, and six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and quattro permanent four-wheel-drive will be offered.
Options:Include bixenon lights with LED at €1,500; Audi Drive Select; and Audi's MMI control knob and screen system.
Pricing:
January models:
1.8T 160 bhp petrol - €40,300
2-litre 143 bhp TDI - €44,200
Entry-level price is likely to be below €37,500 for the 1.8T 120bhp petrol