 Attractive design, spacious and well thought-out luggage space Sporty technology layout and dynamic driving performance
New generation
of engines with higher performance and lower fuel
consumption
Attraktives Design, geräumiger und durchdachter Laderaum Sportliches Technik-Layout und dynamisches Fahrverhalten Neue Motoren-Generation mit höherer Leistung bei geringerem Verbrauch
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The new Audi A4 AvantWith the A4 Sedan, Audi advanced into a new dimension of the midsize class.
A new language: The design Beautiful wagons are called Avant – the design expresses the personality of the new Audi A4 Avant; it is charged with strength and dynamism. With its sculpted, curved surfaces, framed by distinct lines, the A4 Avant underlines the leading position Audi occupies in this area. A barely visible zero-gap joint connects the side to the roof – a connection focusing the high degree of Audi-inherent precision. The headlights with their wing-shaped elements represent a staging of art in motion. Daytime running lights are standard; and with the xenon plus headlights, the running lights come as 14 white LEDs. The roof line descends early, giving the D posts a relatively steep angle and turning the entire silhouette into a flow of elegance. Strength expressed in horizontal lines emphasizes the width of the rear. Compared to its predecessor, the designers tweaked the proportions into a new sporty ratio. The front overhang was shortened, the hood and the wheelbase were extended visibly. The new A4 Avant measures 4.70 meters (15.42 feet), nearly 12 centimeters (4.72 inches) more than its predecessor. The body also documents the advances: It is significantly stiffer and safer than its predecessor, while, at the same time, dropping about 10 percent of its weight thanks to intelligent lightweight steel construction. In its 1.8 TFSI configuration, the new A4 Avant weighs in with a total of just 1,470 kilograms (3,240.80 lb). With a base size of 490 liters (17.30 cubic feet), the new Audi A4 Avant has a larger trunk than any of its immediate competitors. When the rear seat backs are folded down, the cargo space reaches up to 1,430 liters (50.50 cubic feet). The rear backrest is split at a ratio of 40:60, with an optional separate ski and snowboard bag. The A4 Avant rolls off the line with sophisticated solutions such as a reversible cargo floor and a convenient cargo cover. Optionally, Audi provides a number of luxury features, like an electro-mechanical tailgate drive and a luggage retainer set. Light and spacious: The interior
The engines: More performance, greater fuel efficiency The new Audi A4 Avant will be launched with five powerful and smooth-running gasoline engines and five TDI units, which cover a range of 88 kW (120 hp) to 195 kW (265 hp). All the powerplants have direct fuel injection, and all diesel and four-cylinder gasoline engines all utilize turbocharger technology which provides high torque. The 2.0 TFSI is a new development, operating with the innovative Audi valvelift system (AVS), which varies the lift of the exhaust valves. This technology, which, in a slightly different form, also benefits the 3.2 FSI, provides for a further performance increase combined with greater fuel efficiency. All in all, fuel consumption by the gasoline engines has dropped by 12 percent, and by the TDI engines by eight percent – a convincing testimony for Audi’s efficiency strategy. For the powertrain, customers can choose from a wide range of high-tech solutions. Six-stage manual and tiptronic transmissions as well as the continuously variable multitronic transmission are available to deliver the engine torque to the wheels. Four models – starting with 125 kW (170 hp) 2.0 TDI – are available with the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, optionally or standard. Under normal driving conditions, this distributes the forces at a ratio of 40:60 between the front and rear axle. This emphasis on the rear end perfectly harmonizes with the overall dynamic character of the new A4 Avant. If needed, the self-locking center differential transfers the majority of the torque to the axle with the better traction. In the driveline of the new A4 Avant, the differential has moved directly behind the engine. It has switched places with the clutch or the torque converter. It was therefore possible to move the front axle 154 millimeters (6.06 inches) forward. This solution provides for a longer wheelbase, a shorter front overhang and a balanced distribution of the axle loads, thus improving handling in particular. Completely new: The dynamic suspension The dynamic suspension of the new Audi A4 was redesigned from top to bottom. The pivot bearings and the five links per wheel making up the front axle are made of aluminum, just like the front crossmember, which gives the front end of the body more rigidity. The steering box is located far to the front and deep down so that the steering impulse can be led directly to the wheels via the tie-rods. The rack-and-pinion steering provides an immediate feel for the road, and its highly efficient servo pump improves fuel consumption by about 0.1 liter/100 km. For the rear axle, Audi applied the track-controlled trapezoidal link principle of the larger A6 and A8 series. For the most part, the suspension is made of aluminum; the separate layout of the springs and shock absorbers produces subtle responsiveness. Starting with the 105 kW (143 hp) engine, the new A4 Avant will roll off the production line on 16-inch or 17-inch alloy wheels. Behind these wheels are powerful brakes; the front disks are ventilated. The electronic stabilization program (ESP) can be partially disabled when driving below 100 km/h (62.14 mph). A number of innovative technologies make the driving experience even more dynamic and exciting. The modular Audi drive select control system accesses those technology components which affect the driving experience. It influences the engine’s gas intake, the tiptronic shifting points, and the power steering assistance provided. With the push of a button, the driver decides if these components are to operate in a comfortable, medium, or sporty mode. If the car is equipped with the MMI operating system, a fourth mode is available, which the driver can individually program. In connection with Audi drive select, there are two additional modular components. One of them is an adaptive controller for the shock absorbers that is linked to a sports suspension which lowers the body by about 20 millimeters (0.79 inches). The second component is Audi dynamic steering, which operates using a superposition gear. Depending on the driving speed, it varies the steering ratio continuously. In the limit range, it works with ESP to stabilize the new A4 Avant with small lightning-quick steering interventions. The system is also extremely useful when understeer occurs and when braking when traction is only available on one side. The leading-edge Audi dynamic steering system far surpasses solutions offered by the competition. Audi drive select can be ordered with dynamic steering, damper control or both. Even greater supremacy: The assistance systems
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And it is now being followed by the A4 Avant – the most
beautiful wagon in its class offers a large cargo space of up to 1,430 liters
(50.50 cubic feet), with a great many sophisticated solutions. As is the
nature of the Avant, it combines inspiring elegance with intelligent
functionality. The A4 Avant comes with the same engineering layout as the
sedan; its newly developed five-link front suspension has been moved far
forward. This provides for an ideal axle load distribution and thus for the
highest degree of handling precision and agility. The Avant also provides
that emotion-packed, sporty driving experience which prompted journalists
to vote the sedan best midsize car right away. Audi offers the A4 Avant with
ten different engines, of which five each are gasoline engines and TDI units.
While they provide ample power, their fuel consumption, compared to their
predecessors, has been reduced by an average of more than ten percent –
a convincing testimony for Audi's efficiency strategy. The wide spectrum
of drive train choices and the many sport and comfort technologies employed
– inherited from the luxury class – make no secret of the high
technical competence of the brand with the four rings. The Audi A4 Avant,
already the most successful premium wagon in the midsize class worldwide,
is now extending its lead. It is launched at the end of April at prices starting
at €30,600. The basic price for the 1.8 TFSI 88kW (120 hp), which will
be available starting from the end of 2008, is €27,550.
The ambience inside the new A4 Avant is light and spacious.
The legroom in the back measures 895 millimeters (35.24 inches) – the
best figure in the premium midsize segment. The same goes for the headroom
of 971 millimeters (38.23 inches). The interior reflects Audi’s traditional
strengths – a noble impression, uncompromising quality of workmanship
with attention to every detail, and logical, intuitive operation. The cockpit
is driver-oriented, with the center console tilted by eight degrees to the
left. In the design of a great many details, the A4 Avant has taken cues
from the larger A8. The instruments bear the classic Audi look, but have
been newly developed. Thanks to the new electro-mechanical parking brake,
the manual parking brake lever was no longer necessary. Even the standard
climate control system is a completely redesigned component. It supplies
10 percent more cooling capacity, yet operates 20 percent more efficiently
than the previous system – thus saving up to 0.2 liters of fuel per
100 km. Slipping into the ergonomic perfection of the seats of the new A4
Avant provides you with yet another typical Audi effect – you feel at
home from the first moment on. Also, when it comes to safety, Audi has raised
the bar: The adaptive airbags and two-stage belt force limiters have been
even more finely tuned, providing even better protection for passengers.
The backs of the front seats and the head restraints support the upper body
in case of a rear impact. This integral headrest system has received high
praise in independent tests.
Upon request, Audi equips the new Avant with a wide range of
high-tech systems which are derived from the luxury class and make driving
an even more supreme and relaxed experience. These include the Audi parking
system, a parking aid available in three upgrade versions, the lane-departure
warning system Audi lane assist and Audi side assist, which warns of hazardous
lane changes. By way of automatic acceleration and deceleration, adaptive
cruise control maintains the preselected speed, taking the distance to the
vehicle in front into account. The Audi A4 Avant also sets new standards
in one of the most fascinating technical fields of the future – multimedia.
The Audi Music Interface (AMI) is available for the audio systems concert
and symphony. This fully integrates an iPod with all its functions. As additional
upgrades, customers can order the MMI Basic plus navigation system or navigation
system with DVD and MMI. These allow for the integration of the cell phone
in the form of a Bluetooth car phone, and are combined with the market-leading
MMI operating system. The epitome of hi-fi enjoyment is the sound system
by the luxury Danish brand Bang & Olufsen: 505 watts of sound power,
controlled through 10 active channels, supplying 14 speakers. The new Audi
A4 Avant will roll off the production line in three equipment versions.
Attraction is the modern line with personality, Ambition is the sporty line,
and Ambiente is the one for those inclined toward luxury and style. For the
dynamic S line, there are the options of an exterior package and a sports
plus package. The Audi exclusive line is also available. The broad range
of options includes luxury-class features such as air-conditioned comfort
seats, the triple-zone luxury climate control system, the advanced key which
allows keyless vehicle access, the new high-beam assistant, and the dynamic
cornering light system known as adaptive light. The large panoramic glass
roof with an area of more than 0.8 m2 (8.61 square feet) bathes the interior
in a refreshing wave of light and air.
