The All New Audi A4

The New Audi A4 - Side View

Latest driver assistance systems

The feeling of even greater agility can be amplified even further by the unique-in-class Audi Drive Select option, which in the UK is available in three specific ‘packages’ enabling the driver to fine-tune the driving characteristics of the car via dashboard-mounted buttons to suit personal preferences or prevailing road conditions.

The first option, available for all Audi A4 models equipped with servotronic power steering, allows the driver to select comfort or dynamic settings for accelerator pedal response, transmission shift points (where automatic transmission is fitted), power steering weighting and damper control. It includes a Continuous Damper Control (CDC) system allowing even greater suspension adaptability to the road surface.

Option two, available for six-cylinder Audi A4 models, combines the ability to adjust throttle response and transmission shift points with an Audi Dynamic Steering system offering even greater scope for adjustability by allowing alteration of the actual ratio of the steering, i.e the turns required lock-to-lock, for optimum feel and feedback in any given situation. The third option, also available for six-cylinder models only, combines Continuous Damper Control and Dynamic Steering in one complete package.

A bespoke driving experience

In addition to the Comfort and Dynamic settings, an Individual mode (available when the optional DVD Satellite Navigation System Plus with full MMI control is specified) allows the driver to tailor the car’s character even more precisely to suit his or her personal preferences. In this mode, for example, the damper control and transmission shift points could be set to Comfort, and the steering and throttle response to Dynamic. Alternatively, the driver can simply select the Automatic setting (the default mode) and allow the car’s sensors to make all the decisions.

Also new to the A4’s extensive list of driver aids are the optional Audi side assist, which uses sensors to warn of vehicles approaching in mirror blind spots, and Audi lane assist, which guards against unintentional lane changes by activating steering wheel vibrations to alert the driver.

In the appreciably more spacious cabin, the benefit of the 2,808mm wheelbase is evident particularly in the rear, where leg room has increased by 29mm, and the extra liberated space also shows in the larger 480-litre boot, which is expandable to a total of 962 litres.