Five best features of all-new 2017 Audi A4
The Audi A4 is quickly reaching legendary status, now about to enter its ninth generation with the release of the 2017 model built on a completely new platform. The sporty sedan retains the core qualities that have made it popular for so long, such as a timeless design and fun-to-drive nature, and throws in a bunch of technology focused on comfort, convenience and safety. Here are five of the major additions.
Headlights
In standard trim, the A4 gets perfectly bright bi-xenon headlights. What customers will really want, however, are the optional and energy-efficient full LED headlights. They offer a more precise beam pattern that emulates natural daytime light and reduces eye strain. Signature LED daytime running lights shaped like two inverted checkmarks inside the housing give the car a distinct look when approaching.
Audi Virtual Cockpit
Other manufacturers today offer fully digital instrument clusters. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which is a 12.3-inch TFT display installed right above the steering column, is arguably the best looking. Featuring 1,440 x 540 pixels of high definition resolution, the sight is something to behold when Google Maps is loaded and overlaid overtop of the screen. Users can customize the information shown in a multitude of configurations.
Semi-autonomous driving
Audi’s redesigned sedan can’t completely drive on its own just yet, but it’s getting pretty close. The A4 gets adaptive cruise control, self-parking, and a traffic-jam assistant that utilizes GPS data and scans road signs to keep the car moving by itself in heavily congested situations. There’s also a turn assist function that stops you from accidentally pulling out in front of an oncoming vehicle.
Powertrain
The A4 runs off a massaged version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged TFSI engine, producing 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque — an increase of 15 per cent compared to the outgoing model. Harnessing the power is an upgraded seven-speed dual clutch transmission generating less N/V/H (noise, vibration and harshness) than before.
Construction
New, lighter materials used in construction have resulted in a weight loss of approximately 120 kilograms, despite the vehicle being 25 millimetres longer with a total length of 4,730 mm. The extra bit of size provides the A4 with more interior space than ever before, translating into extra head and legroom for the driver and passengers.
