Audi A4: «D»ignity and «D»rive

Perhaps someday the supply of engineering and design solutions among car manufacturers will run dry, but at Audi, fresh ideas, judging by all appearances, will run out at the very last moment.

A clear confirmation of this is the updated business-class model from Audi, known as the A4.

The three previous generations of the A4 were quite noticeable cars and gained wide popularity around the world. It seemed that the stereotype of a solid but somewhat boring middle-class car, which is well-made and ergonomically thought out, but at the same time looks a bit poor against the background of older models, would never be broken.

However, it turned out differently: the competent management of the company and a team of talented specialists who worked on the new generation of the A4 literally "put the model into orbit."

The exterior of the new "four" - from the master of automotive design Walter de Silva

In this car, literally everything evokes sincere admiration: the appearance, the interior, and, of course, the behavior on the road. But let's take it in order.

The exterior of the new "four," created by the renowned designer Walter de Silva, is a real breakthrough. If you transfer the body shapes of the A4 from the world of cars to the world of high fashion, you get a kind of sports tuxedo that looks appropriate both at a gala reception and on a running track. One could list de Silva's merits for a long time, but let's put it briefly: a car from his pen is like a priceless canvas by Michelangelo or Picasso.

The calm and precise lines of the middle part of the body smoothly connect the magnificent front part with a taut rear. It is at the front that the unmistakable recognizability inherent in the entire modern Audi family is concentrated: the huge trapezoidal radiator grille leaves no doubt that it is in front of you. And the impressive air intakes, coming directly from under the grille and bounded from below by a clear bumper line, together with exquisite optics complemented by signature LED accents, give the owner a special status in the traffic flow.

Clean lines connect the masterpiece front part and the taut rear

And from the rear, the A4 looks as if it is a reward for those who are left behind: slanted lights, a neatly integrated dual exhaust pipe, an expressive edge of the trunk lid. By the way, the rear part is almost indistinguishable from the A5 coupe, which served as the donor, and that speaks for itself.

Compared to its predecessor, the new A4 has stretched by 117 mm in length and widened by 50 mm, matching the dimensions of the first-generation A6, a car a class higher.

Naturally, the increase in body size led to an increase in cabin space, where even very tall passengers can now easily fit. But the main place in this car is still the driver's seat. The ergonomics of all controls, both primary and secondary, are traditionally impeccable. This effect was achieved through a slight rotation of the central console towards the driver. All buttons are at hand, and using them on the go is not difficult at all. Add to this pleasant and useful options such as ventilated seats with memory settings, as well as the MMI system with built-in Russian-language navigation - the most convenient to use among analogues - and other little things that allow you to spend a very long time behind the wheel without fatigue.

And it is precisely to drive - and not just to go from point A to point B - that there is something here.

Our test vehicle was equipped with a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine with the proprietary direct injection system TSI, which develops 160 hp and delivers an impressive 250 Nm of torque. All this power is transmitted to the front driving wheels through the latest V-belt variator Multitronic. Thanks to the use of new grades of steel in the body structure with an excellent combination of strength and weight, the A4 managed to shed a full 10% of its mass compared to the previous generation, and, as a result, all this technology demonstrates excellent dynamics and handling.

In addition, our car was equipped with the Audi drive select system, which allows the driver to choose the character of the car with one press of a button - from comfortable to dynamic.

And here is what is especially pleasant: unlike most similar systems, switching to Dynamic mode here is not limited to just changing the logic of the gearbox. In dynamic mode, all key components responsible for the sporty driving character are activated. The steering wheel fills with a pleasant heaviness, becomes sharper and provides more precise feedback, the suspension tightens, and the gas pedal begins to respond to the slightest movement of the foot.

But even if you do not take into account the many optional systems like Audi drive select, the new Audi A4 is capable of giving many competitors a run for their money in dynamics, comfort, and ergonomics.

By releasing the updated A4 model, Audi has raised the highest bar in the D-class to a qualitatively new level.

Dmitry Malygin