Audi A4 2016 News

Audi’s latest A4 can take the fight right up to BMW’s 3 Series and the dominant Mercedes-Benz C-Class in the medium luxury car segment, according to Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle

Craig Duff previews the next bunch of car debuts.

Hidden radar warns that a bicycle is approaching as the driver opens the door.Could this car finally bridge the gap between cyclists and motorists?The new Audi A4 is the first car in the world with technology that warns drivers a cyclist is approaching -- before getting out of the vehicle.It is designed to prevent “dooring”, which can have fatal consequences -- two reported deaths in the past five years in Victoria alone.Despite the recent overhauls of bicycle-related fines, only Victoria, NSW and Queensland have a specific offence for “dooring” a cyclist.In Victoria, it carries a minimum $379 on-the-spot ticket, or a fine of up to $1476 if imposed by a court.In NSW the fine for “causing a hazard to a person or vehicle while opening a car door” is $319.In Queensland, the penalty for the same offence is $117.

Luxury car buyers will again be spoiled for choice this year, with a new arrival to suit every budget.

Although its official Australian launch is still a couple of months away Audi has unveiled the fifth generation A4 and provided a hands-on display of many of its innovative technical features.

Audi has developed its own tablet for rear passengers.The unit, which uses the Android operating system, will be available as an option on the new A4 sedan from February.The German maker says it developed the tablet because off-the-shelf options weren't suitable for in-car use. Weighing roughly twice as much as an Apple iPad, it has a screen that is both glare-resistant and shatter-proof.Mounted on the back of the driver and front passenger seats, the tablets cost $3800 a pair and can be removed and charged via a micro USB port.The tablets are the headline act in a techno-assault by Audi on rival Mercedes-Benz, which has dominated the mid-size luxury market since the launch of the C-Class last year.In an attempt to turn the tables, Audi has packed the A4 with technology that won't be available on more expensive cars in its range — and only recently debuted on its top-of-the-range A8 limousine.The A4 will have a headlight option that uses satellite navigation to anticipate corners and adjust the beam accordingly, as well as shining high-beam on pedestrians and cyclists at the side of the road while shielding other cars.Eight "fingers" of light adjust to the road conditions to give maximum illumination without distracting other drivers.Safety technology includes a rear collision alert that can sense whether a car behind is closing too fast, flash warning lights at the driver and prepare the cabin for impact. It can also slam on the brakes if the car is turning into oncoming traffic and warn occupants if they are about to open a door into a cyclist.At up to 65km/h, the A4's "traffic jam assistant" will accelerate, brake and steer for the driver. Automated emergency braking can bring the car to a halt if it senses a potential collision with a pedestrian, cyclist or other vehicle.The technology extends to the A4's communication and infotainment. There will be built-in wi-fi, wireless smartphone charging, Apple Car Play and Android Auto connectivity.Satnav is standard but an option can show Google Earth and Street View images, as well as display turn instructions on a head-up display.Prices start from $55,500 for the 1.4-litre petrol auto, which replaces the 1.8-litre petrol auto. The 2.0-litre petrol is $60,900, while the diesel and petrol all-wheel-drive models are $66,900.Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle says cutting edge technology is finding its way down from top-of-the-range limousines much more quickly than in the past.It is also becoming more affordable, in turn fuelling growth."I think that's a reflection of the (competitive) market place and a reflection of advanced technologies," he says. "We're able to more efficiently and quickly filter down this technology ... It's moving much quicker than we all expected."

Audi retains its trademark conservative design as it attempts yet again to overtake the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series in the luxury sedan sales race.Under the skin and behind the slightly reshaped headlights (look carefully and you see a sharp hook on the lower edge) is a structure that promises to slash 120kg (up to 8 per cent) from the weight of some models.The A4 is due on sale in Europe late this year and in Australian showrooms by the middle of 2016. Meanwhile, anyone in the market for the current Audi A4 should aim for a bargain as Audi begins to discount the run-out model.Audi has loaded the new model with plenty of techAs is the case with most new arrivals, the new Audi A4 is longer and wider than its predecessor, and has a bigger boot, which Audi claims is the biggest in its class (505L).Audi has loaded the new model with plenty of tech, including LED headlights, automatic emergency braking, radar cruise control with stop-and-go, and the acclaimed "virtual cockpit" dashboard display first seen in the TT sports car.The entire instrument panel is one large display screen and allows the driver to tailor the view from a large map (with speed displayed small) to a more basic layout with speed and other information given more prominence.Audi is yet to confirm the engine options for Australia — expect the usual choice of fuel-efficient petrol and diesel options.The A4 will be one of the most aerodynamic cars in its classAs is the case with previous A4 rollouts, performance variants are due at least 12 months later.Audi claims the A4 will be one of the most aerodynamic cars in its class, with a drag coefficient of 0.23, only slightly less slippery through the air than the world-leading Mercedes-Benz CLA (0.22).A three-cylinder model has been ruled out for now. Given strict European emissions targets, a plug-in hybrid A4 is expected eventually in the line-up.Audi has sold more than 49,000 A4s in Australia since 1995.Audi Australia boldly aims to overtake Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the luxury class by 2020.

These new spy shots give our best look yet at the upcoming fourth-generation Audi A4, with this camouflaged Avant bodystyle spied testing recently in Germany.The new A4 sedan is expected to debut later this year at the Frankfurt motor show, with the wagon-bodied Avant variant tipped to appear a short time after.These latest spy images reveal that the new generation A4 will carry an evolutionary rather than revolutionary design compared to the outgoing version.It’s clear the proportions of the new Avant are very similar to the current 2015 B8 version with a sleek but ultimately practicality-driven profile.The new 2016 A4 Avant is expected to adopt a sharper front fascia than the outgoing model inspired by the various Audi Prologue concept cars.Like the recently revealed Audi Q7 SUV, the new A4 will feature a squarer grille with integrated headlights.The new generation A4 will carry an evolutionary rather than revolutionary design.At the rear we can expect slim LED taillights and a long sloping tailgate that gives the Avant a Shooting Brake style rather than a conventional wagon shape. The 2016 A4 will use the same platform as the new Q7 SUV, which has been designed for a variety of petrol, diesel and hybrid drivetrains.Initially it’s expected the 2016 A4 will be available with a range of petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines with front or all-wheel drive.Eventually a range of six-cylinder engines will also be available along with an efficiency focused hybrid model. The new MLB platform is believed to be lighter than the one it replaces, which should equate to better fuel efficiency and handling compared to the outgoing A4.Transmission options in the new A4 will include a six-speed manual or an automatic of the seven-speed dual clutch or eight-speed torque-converter varieties.Australia’s love affair with automatics means we’ll likely only get the auto version when the new A4 goes on sale next year.

Audi has sharpened its A4 and A5 lineup for 2014, with prices dropping by up to $7300 across the sedan, wagon, coupe, hatch, and cabriolet body styles. The previous entry A4 1.8 TFSI petrol manual sedan has been dropped from the range, with the 1.8 TFSI Multitronic auto now forming the kickoff point for the lineup at $55,500.Similarly, the non-quattro 3.0 TDI diesel sedan and Avant wagon models have also been discontinued, and a new $65,800 2.0 TDI diesel quattro sedan variant joins the pre-existing $69,900 Avant model with the same drivetrain. A5 Coupe and Sportback models also gain 2.0 TDI quattro variants, priced equally at $75,700.Petrol 2.0-litre models across all body styles gain a version of the direct and port-injected turbo engine seen in the new Volkswagen Golf GTI, which produces 165kW in Audi guise and an unchanged 350Nm. The change marks a 10kW improvement over previous 2.0-litre quattro models. FEATURESThe entry A4 and A5 1.8 TFSI models gain standard three-zone climate control and a colour Driver Information System (DIS). Buyers of the A4 1.8 TFSI models can choose from two new option packages, including the $2990 Technik package that brings MMI Navigation plus satnav and Parking system plus, which is comprised of front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.Also available for A4 1.8 TFSI models is the $2,200 Comfort package, which brings electric front seat adjustment and heaters, an auto-dimming interior mirror and proximity keys. A4 sedan models can also be optioned with the $1,690 Assistance Package, comprised of adaptive cruise control and Active lane assist.All Quattro models now come with the Parking system plus system as standard, and both petrol and diesel A5 3.0-litre models now come with the sportier S-Line exterior package. "We have made some of the most popular options now standard," Audi Australia’s marketing boss Kevin Goult says.PRICINGA4 Sedan 1.8 TFSI multitronic - 125 kW - $55,500A4 Sedan 2.0 TDI multitronic (special order only) - 130kW - $57,900A4 Sedan 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 130kW - $65,800A4 Sedan 2.0 TFSI quattro manual - 165kW - $63,000 (up $1300)A4 Sedan 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 165kW - $65,800 (up $1300)A4 Sedan 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 180kW - $88,000A4 Sedan 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 200kW - $92,900 (down $500)S4 Sedan 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 245kW - $119,900A4 Avant 1.8 TFSI multitronic - 125 kW - $58,500A4 Avant 2.0 TDI multitronic (special order only) - 130kW - $60,900A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 165kW - $68,800 (up $1300)A4 Allroad 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 130kW - $69,900S4 Avant 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 245kW - $123,400RS 4 Avant 4.2 FSI quattro S tronic - 331kW - $149,400A5 Coupe and Sportback 1.8 TFSI multitronic - 125 kW - $64,200 (down $2700)A5 Coupe and Sportback 2.0 TDI multitronic (special order only) - 130kW - $65,700 (down $3000)A5 Coupe and Sportback 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 130kW - $75,900A5 Coupe and Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro manual - 165kW - $74,000 (down $6900)A5 Coupe and Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 165kW - $75,700 (down $7500)A5 Coupe and Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 180kW - $93,800 (down $2100)A5 Coupe and Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 200kW - $98,400 (down $1900)S5 Coupe and Sportback 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 245kW - $135,400A5 Cabriolet 1.8 TFSI multitronic - 125 kW - $75,800 (down $2700)A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI multitronic (special order only) - 130kW - $77,900 (down $3000)A5 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 165kW - $89,100 (down $7300)A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TDI quattro S tronic - 180kW - $106,700 (down $2100)A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 200kW - $110,500 (down $1900)S5 Cabriolet 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - 245kW - $146,000