2012 Audi A4 1.8 TFSI, 2.0 TDI, And 2.0 TFSI Quattro Launch Review: Part I
2012 AUDI A4 REVIEW
Variants Reviewed | |||
Model | Power/Torque | 0-100km/h | Fuel Use |
1.8 TFSI | 125kW/320Nm | 8.3s | 5.8l/100km |
2.0 TDI Avant | 130kW/380Nm | 8.1s | 4.9l/100km |
2.0 TDI | 130kW/380Nm | 7.9s | 4.8l/100km |
2.0 TFSI quattro | 155kW/350Nm | 6.5s | 7.0l/100km |
OVERVIEW
Audi’s current-gen A4 has been around since 2008. Since then, all of its premium mid-size competitors have been updated or, in the case of the BMW 3 Series, replaced by an all-new car.
While the current A4 range continues to sell well, it sits behind the Mercedes C-Class and 3 Series in sales. A mid-cycle refresh - with new drivelines, power upgrades and sharpened styling - is therefore timely for Audi.
Most obvious among the changes are new head- and tail-lights. The A4’s signature daytime-running-lights (DRLs) are now better integrated into the headlight design, and xenon main beams are standard on all models aside from the 1.8 TFSI.
Updates also include new wheels, front and rear fascias and a more angular version of Audi’s single-frame grille across all models.
The revisions run more than skin deep however, with new driveline options improving efficiency and performance across all models.
We were among the first to sample the new range over some of the most entertaining roads north-east Tasmania has to offer.
Interior
The A4 interior has always been a benchmark with typically excellent fit and finish, material quality, ergonomics and space.
The design has aged very well in the four years since launch, but this hasn’t stopped Audi from incorporating several incremental improvements with this model revision.
All in the new range feature a new leather-trimmed steering wheel (with optional flat bottom), along with redesigned ignition stalks and key fob, and chrome-ringed controls.
Leather upholstery is standard on all models, with a huge range of optional trim colours and with the all-encompassing S-Line trim package available on all spec-levels except S4.
The seven-inch touchscreen ‘MMI navigation plus infotainment’ system (standard on all bar the 1.8TFSI - which makes do with a 6.5-inch display-only screen) is now controlled by just four console-mounted buttons surrounding the central toggle controller.
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