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By Dan Trent
First Drives
03 April 2008 17:57
The Audi A4 Avant exists because not everyone wants an SUV and, while BMW’s 3-series has the ‘medium premium’ saloon market sewn up, when it comes to wagons Audi rules the roost. And with this Avant version of the new A4 that domination looks set to continue.
It’s no great mystery as to why this is so. While the 3-series’ sporty character suits the saloon sector, Audis are seen as sensible, dependable and quietly luxurious – themes that sit perfectly with this more family oriented corner of the market. Indeed, Audi claims the A4 Avant commands over 40 percent of its segment, while BMW and Mercedes squabble over much smaller shares.
The new model is certainly going to tick all the right boxes for the aspirational middle classes. With a sleeker, fastback look reminiscent of the A6 Avant the A4 at least looks significantly different from its predecessor. Well, compared with the saloon version at least. It’s still pretty conservative of course, but then that’s the Audi way.
Much cleaner in appearance than the 3 Series or C-Class estates, the Avant’s initially low key design merits closer examination and will delight the aesthetically literate. Witness the so-called ‘tornado line’ originating in the headlights and then sweeping over the flanks and breaking up the surface, reversing around the rear light to create a subtle airflow-splitting lateral spoiler. Form and function? Again, Audi fundamentals and brilliantly executed.
The A4 Avant is bigger than its predecessor, 154mm of the 166mm wheelbase stretch pushing the front axle forward to improve handling balance. It’s also 55mm wider and 117mm longer overall, boot space increasing by 48 litres to 490 litres seats up and 1430 litres folded. Only the C-Class estate is bigger, with a maximum of 1500 litres available.
Practical features abound too. There’s a neat reversible floor, rubberised on one side if you’re carrying muddy hiking gear or have a bootful of bounty from the garden centre, and optional load restraints seen previously on the A6 Avant. It’s comfy too, with firm, supportive seats and lots of useful cubby holes in the cabin.
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Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDi S-line (2008) CAR review
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Gmbh says
Totally agree with Kubrick.
You have stated my entire thoughts regarding AUDI. (See the A3 1.4TSi review). Found an interesting review of the A4 Avant elsewehere: "while possible to set the car up to deliver a satisfying drive we can't help feeling this is glossing over a chassis fundamentally less sorted than its BMW and Mercedes rivals. The obsession with over complicating even the most simple features can also frustrate." So not exactly the revolutionary new chassis after all then...
08 April 2008 20:26
nohj says
Excuse me - are those ridges along the sides and the surfaces next to them, between the wheels, er, flame surfacing? Nothing against Mr Bangle. He took took the necessary risks to refresh BMW's already good design and his cars have amazing stance. But while BMWs have always been good-looking cars, Audi was the design leader in its class - with a unique style. Now I me-too compromise, by instalment. (Test: Are as many designers still buying Audi?)
06 April 2008 19:50
kubrick says
Sorry, but I have to disagree with Car in this instance. The days of Audi design superiority are long gone. When Walter de'Silva introduced his 'sensuality' to Audi Bauhaus, the result was quite a mix-up of opposing styles, which never merged into one properly coherent one. Of course some of these cars aren't bad looking, but they're far removed from the wonderfully clean and tasteful Audis of the late 90's/early 00's. And yet, the people from Ingolstadt are in a similar situation as BMW was before the official start of the Bangle era seven years ago: they look very, very similar and adhere to a styling philosophy that's been proven successful, but is becoming increasingly dull. And no number of LED lights can changes that. The new A4 isn't good looking, but it's overly fussy (especially the saloon's bootlid) and too close to both the old (facelifted) A4 and the A6. And I have to repeat my concern about the decline in interior quality. Both the A5 and A4 are overstyled and -blingified, but lack the sense of ultimate tactility and quality of previous models. Will the current A6 stand as the last of Audi's legendary interior designs? Maybe the next A8 proves me wrong, but from the Q7 onward there's been a steady decline. I'll wait and see, but Audi seem to be becoming a bit self-complacent, which might not get them where they see themselves in five year's time, especially with BMW at the forefront of useful eco-technologies and Merc bouncing back in terms of high tech and quality.
04 April 2008 20:28
calvjones says
Thirty Grand? For a 4-cyl diesel A4? Have I gone to sleep and woken up in Zimbabwe?
04 April 2008 12:39
asp says
Daily mail motoring column
Contender for most gushing review yet! The first page is cringe-worthy to read, it's straight out of the low-end tabloid's reviews, we expect better from CAR. As for the A4 Avant, it looks bloated in the typical new Audi school of design, it'll be interesting o see how the 3 series stacks up against it after it's facelift. All the hype of it's brilliant new chassis and it's still nose-heavy, oh, it's a Volkswagen, that'll be why. I really prefer Audi's (to look at) from a couple of generations ago, far tauter and an original design language, all looking so un-distinctive now.
04 April 2008 10:42
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