Taking on the Mercedes-Benz C-class is not easy, especially for Audi in India, where the three-pointer commands massive respect. But in the new A4, Audi thinks it has just the weapon.

‘THE A4’S 7-SPEED’BOX MULTIPLIES POWER AND DRIVING PLEASURE.’

The Germans have a ‘how to’ book of instructions for everything. Described in nauseating detail, with illustrations for every step, these books are available on any and every topic. I can’t help thinking the current version of the ‘how to make a car’ book of instructions has a ‘get a foreign designer’ step buried somewhere inside it. Mercedes had one, BMW now has one, and Audi too has recently acquired a non-German design head.
An Audi with the sex appeal of an Alfa Romeo — now wouldn’t that be something? The heavily ‘freshened’ A4 is just that. An A4 with the basic solid Audi lines intact, but bursting with Latin detailing and flair. The man responsible — ex-Alfa Romeo designer Walter da Silva.
Audi calls this car the new A4, but it’s not really all-new. A heavily reworked version of the A4 that was first launched in 2002, this car has a new nose, new door panels, a new tail and a host of new mechanicals.
The biggest change, of course, is the large ‘Auto Union’-style grille. Also known as the Bulgarian Beard, it gives the car a fresh identity and forms a link with Audi’s range, all of which now sport the company grille. Yes, that’s A3 through to A8, the new Q7 included. Only the TT hasn’t been given the treatment yet.
Also dramatic, apart from the big grille and the bulging bonnet are the dramatic headlights, especially their unique fang-shaped profile. And the tail-lights have a similar tapering profile too. The look, the headlights, grille and tail-lights all come from Audi’s show car called the Nuvolari after Italian racing legend Tazio Nuvolari who raced for Auto Union in the late 1930s.
The details are also well supported by Audi’s square-shouldered German frame, the car looking solid, well built but aggressive and distinctive too. And they say the European Union isn’t working; hah!
The competition — the now long-in-the-tooth C-class and the slightly conservative-looking new BMW 3 Series — better start worrying for the aggressive A4 truly stands out. Build quality and fit are among the best. Panel gaps are down to micron precision, the paint looks wet and the way the doors shut is so impressive that you do it a few times just for the heck of it. Traditional Audi quality alright.

The quality and design of the insides keeps pace with the exteriors, but the design is predictably Audi with simple elements and lots of grey plastic. The design is not what wows you, the quality does. Audi wants its quality to lure customers and this is evident from everything you touch and use on the car. The steering wheel and gear knob feel great to use, plastic cladding and dashboard plastics look flawless, and even the seats seem just right. Only the plastic buttons lack that quality look or feel, especially those on the central console.
Legroom at the rear, however, like all cars in its class, is not generous. Seat comfort itself is good, no real complaints here, but trying to find a decent amount of legroom behind a tall driver is futile. It is more or less the same as that on the Mercedes C-class.
This A4 is powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol motor that makes 163bhp. More importantly, this is the same motor that will power the A4 when it is imported into India; the new-generation FSI or direct injection petrol engines are considered too hi-tech for our conditions and fuel. Using five valves per cylinder for better engine breathing, and a turbocharger to ram greater amounts of air into the motor, this is also the same motor that powers the Audi TT and the Skoda Octavia RS in India.
Like the A6 sold in India, Audi will only import front-wheel-drive A4s and not Quattro or four-wheel-drive versions. Another of Audi’s pet technologies, the Multitronic or CVT gearbox (basically a stepless automatic) sends power to the front wheels of the car. Also important as far as the Indian market is concerned is the fact that it is as fuel- efficient as a manual gearbox.
Let’s get down to the proof of the pudding — the drive itself. We set off through urban traffic in Audi’s hometown of Ingolstadt in Bavaria, the route taking us out over winding country roads, hills and finally open sections of speed-limit-free autobahns. Immediately noticeable at take-off from rest is a slight vibration coupled with some hesitation. Though idle is smooth, transition from standstill involves the Multitronic ’box and turbo lag.
While things work fine under normal conditions, sometimes there is a lack of urgency that manifests itself under some on-off throttle conditions. You also miss the meatier throttle responses of a traditional automatic gearbox that uses a torque converter to give a ‘step up’ in performance.
Still, throttle responses improve soon after you are past 1500rpm mark, the engine pulling freely and cleanly throughout its power band. The Multitronic gearbox now impresses with its refined performance and impressive flexibility of use.
Having exited the urban start-stop, I place the gearstick in manual mode for better control. Unlike earlier, where any flat-out acceleration involves the engine holding onto a steady high rpm while the gearbox varies its gearing continuously, the Multitronic ’box now shifts gears like a manual which means an increase in rpm until the next ‘gear’ is selected. Using seven predetermined ratios, I begin to attack the sublime country roads of rural Bavaria with great relish.
This may be an entry-level spec motor for the A4, but its strong midrange and top end meant the car had sufficient power to hit 220kph on the autobahn and make driving over winding roads exciting too. The Audi displays good agility and composure when driven hard. Its front wishbone suspension is well tied in with the rear and as a result you enjoy cornering the car hard. The A4 felt at home on Bavaria’s twisty bits, the car ever willing to change direction.
Also embellishing driving pleasure are the strong brakes that allow you to brake hard and deep into every corner, the feedback from the pedal quite detailed and confidence-inspiring. However, while the steering wheel is accurate, it is too light and does not load up when you wind on lock into a corner; sort of driving with a computer game with the forced feedback switched off on the steering wheel. Will it outdrive a BMW 3 Series? Not a chance.
Germany’s roads don’t allow you to get a good idea of how well a car will take to roads in India, but the A4 did feel a tad stiff in the knees. Then again, the A4 that will be imported into India is likely to come with taller springs which will be more suitable to our rough conditions.
With its attractive looks, top flight brand, bullet-proof build and friendly dynamics, the A4 will be a worthy competitor to the Merc C-class. The 1.8 turbo is a good performer, the multi-talented Multitronic ’box is genuinely refreshing and the tailor-made rough road suspension we will get here in India should be bang for your buck.
Also on the cards will be a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, and you know how good VW and Audi are with those. Of course pricing will be crucial, as will be specs, but Audi is talking of undercutting the C-class.
What Audi also needs is more dealers, as well as greater support and presence in India. From what’s being whispered around, that plan seems to be shaping up well too. Audi versus Mercedes versus BMW. The Indian entry-level luxury car buyer will soon be king.