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.

At a very intimate setting at 130 West in Vancouver, OpenRoad Audi unveiled the new TT coupé and roadster (aka convertible) to its valued customers this past week. 

Watch the these video  to see the unveiling. 

 

This all-new car is lighter, faster, and more fuel-efficient that ever before, having shed an extra 90 lbs over top of the second-generation TT, which was already lighter than the original by 200 lbs.

When the TT was first conceived in the mid-1990s, Audi knew that it had a game-changer on its hands. The concept car blew the minds of both auto journalists and the public when it was unveiled in at the 1995 Frankfurt Auto Show.

The overwhelmingly positive reception to the concept TT was enough to convince Audi to build the car for the masses.

When the actual production vehicle was unveiled, the public absolutely fell in-love with it as it retained much of the good looks of the concept vehicle.

The TT (along with the R8) has certainly established Audi’s credentials in the world of automotive design. Many say that it is a statement of the company’s commitment to precision engineering.

This latest Audi TT is more revolution than evolution, similar corporate good looks of the all-new R8 supercar. In the spirit of the first-generation TT, this latest car is still a design showcase.

What’s new? A lot! Compared to the outgoing model, the new TT is actually 21 mm shorter and 10 mm narrower. However the wheelbase is 37 mm longer. The platform is now a hybrid aluminium/steel platform, which Audi promises has been designed for improved torsional rigidity.

In the TT roadster, a new powered soft top can be operated at speeds up to 50 km/hr and opens/closes in a speedy 10 seconds. Audi’s engineers have also designed the top to take up even less space than ever before.

Because it is a soft top and not a folding hardtop, there is still 280 litres of cargo space available, enough for a quick weekend jaunt out of town.

Both coupé and roadster are available with Audi’s LED lighting package (for $1,100) which includes brighter and white LED-based headlights with LED turn signals, LED tail lights with dynamic turn signals, and LED All-Weather lights.

Under the hood is a 2.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged four cylinder engine shared with the Audi A3. This mill generates 230 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque at a low 1,600 rpms.

Audi promises improved fuel economy with official figures coming in at 7.8L/100 kms and 10.1L/100 kms on the highway.

If you’re looking for more power, Audi once again offers the sportier TTS. This model shares the same 2.0-litre displacement as the TT, but has been upgraded and tweaked to produce 310 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque.

As with other Audis, Quattro full-time all-wheel-drive is standard equipment, as is Audi’s rapid shifting 6-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

The highlight of the revised interior is Audi’s virtual cockpit which comes in the form of a 12.3 inch LCD instrument cluster versus traditional gauges.

This system can also be fitted with Audi’s Navigation Package ($1,800), putting a beautiful full-colour high resolution map right in front of the driver.

The result is a clean, simple, and elegant look that fits in perfectly with the TT’s character. It’s really something you have to see in person to fully appreciate!

The 2016 Audi TT Coupé starts at CDN $51,600, the TT Roadster at $55,600, and the TTS Coupé at $61,900.

More photos below…