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December 24, 2020
Test Drive the Newly Revised Audi A4 | Audi
Audi A4 | The Audi A4
Whatever the case, we recommend you try it at least once.
The new Audi A4, which received a major minor change, was launched in Japan in October 2020. We test-drove the "A4 35 TFSI," a front-wheel-drive model equipped with a 2-liter gasoline engine and a mild hybrid system.
Text by OGAWA Fumio
Photographs by KAWANO Atsuki
It feels like a step up.
The Audi A4 has undergone a major minor change and was released on October 7, 2020. The significant points to note are the major changes to the exterior design and the adoption of a mild hybrid system.
Driving the A4 35 TFSI, it's so well-executed that it overturns previous perceptions. If you're looking for a high-quality sedan, we recommend you try it at least once.
The A4 35TFSI combines a 1984cc four-cylinder turbo engine with a front-wheel-drive system. Its maximum output is 110kW (150ps) with a maximum torque of 270Nm. Previously, it had a 1.4-liter engine, so the engine displacement is a significant change.
The previous 1.4-liter turbo engine in the A4 35TFSI had the same maximum output of 110kW as the current 2-liter engine, but its maximum torque was slightly lower at 250Nm. When asked why the change was made, Audi Japan's public relations department explained, "It's because the 2-liter engine was made MHEV (Audi's term for mild hybrid)."
The mild hybrid system uses a small motor and a compact battery. The motor's role is to supplement torque during startup and acceleration. Internal combustion engines, like gasoline engines, cannot produce sufficient torque until they reach a certain engine speed.
This mild hybrid system compensates for that characteristic with a motor that generates maximum torque instantaneously. The difference from a full hybrid is that the motor operates only during startup and acceleration.
Indeed, the A4 allows you to fully experience its benefits. The car starts off with remarkable smoothness. This is because the electric motor, which produces 60Nm of torque, operates at very low RPMs. It's a pleasant sensation to have the car move effortlessly without needing to press the accelerator pedal hard.
The improvements to the new A4 don't stop there. Its handling has been significantly enhanced. In short, it's simply a joy to drive. This is attributed to revisions in the suspension system and body rigidity, allowing the car to corner smoothly the moment you turn the steering wheel. The sense of unity makes for natural and comfortable control.
The steering wheel has a slightly heavier setting, providing stability at high speeds, which translates to a sense of security for the driver. Although equipped with sports suspension as standard, it's not too stiff; it offers a comfortable ride that could be described as supple.
Thanks to the steering feel, the suspension's responsiveness, and the body's excellent vibration absorption and quietness, the perceived quality of the A4 has greatly increased. It even feels like a higher-class car. Experiencing a suspension that moves well and balances the car's motion makes you appreciate sedans anew.
The new A4's appeal lies in the pleasure of choice.
The interior has also been updated. The first thing you'll notice is the 10.1-inch monitor mounted on the dashboard. It's a touchscreen for operating the infotainment system. Simultaneously, the instrument cluster, including the speedometer, has become a liquid-crystal "Virtual Cockpit."
Audi states in its press release that the system offers "intuitive operation like a smartphone, enabling greater communication" (paraphrased).
Personally, I also highly appreciate that physical controls remain for functions that need to be operated without looking while driving, such as the air conditioning.
Audi may expand its touch-screen control functions in the future. For me, the cockpit of this A4 is ideal. While the design may feel familiar, its high quality remains captivating.
Safety features have been enhanced, including adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, sensing functions and automatic braking systems to avoid collisions with pedestrians and other traffic, and systems that monitor the presence of surrounding vehicles and issue collision avoidance alerts when necessary. Many will appreciate this.
Although sedans are said to be in a slump today, experiencing the Audi A4 makes it seem a shame to bypass sedans for SUVs. The A4 35 TFSI is priced from 4.84 million yen for the base model, up to 5.99 million yen for the "S-line" version with a sportier finish, which we test-drove.
Simultaneously, the A4 45 TFSI quattro (from 6.09 million yen), an all-wheel-drive system that operates in front-wheel-drive mode under low load, was also released. This 2-liter engine is a powerful 183kW (249ps). Choosing between the 35 and this model might depend on usability. The new A4's appeal lies in the pleasure of choice.
