When Car and Driver staffers are faced with the question of which engine to buy, one might assume that we blindly gravitate toward the maximum number of cylinders or the maximum amount of horsepower. Opting for the “big engine” presumes that doing so will make the car quicker and potentially sound better, and perhaps even make the owner look like a superior human being. Aside from the extra upfront cost, ticking that option box often can make owning the car more expensive down the road, as fuel economy generally suffers and the means for the extra power often adds to the curb weight—a penalty we’re usually willing to live with to satisfy our addiction to speed.A New A4comprehensively redesigned the for 2009. The new A4 is sleeker and wider on the outside and larger on the inside.
A 6.3-inch-longer wheelbase increases rear-seat legroom by nearly an inch, but the reality seems greater as the rear seat is now adult-worthy. We’ve previously tested an, and although it was prohibitively expensive, we found it to be an excellent sports sedan worthy of consideration. That is, until Audi dropped off a new A4 powered by the exceptional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
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With an as-tested price of $35,005, the four-cylinder version was a staggering $16,720 less than the V-6 version we road-tested in September 2008.Advantage: Four-CylinderBuyers interested in the 2009 Audi A4 will face a choice of two very different engines. Base versions of the A4 with Quattro all-wheel drive start at $33,525 and come equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Note: That’s more torque than the optional V-6 can muster.
Previous A4s used a version of the same 2.0-liter engine. The major change to the engine for ’09 is the addition of variable valve timing, which adds 11 horsepower and an impressive 51 pound-feet of torque. Although it’s down 54 horsepower to the 3.2-liter V-6, the four-cylinder’s 0-to-60 time of 5.7 seconds was quick enough to match the acceleration of the V-6 version. Even when saddled with the heavy and friction-laden Quattro system and a six-speed automatic, the turbo four-cylinder provides better low-speed acceleration than a V-6 A4 with an automatic and all-wheel drive.
The four-cylinder’s turbocharger provides immediate boost without a whiff of turbo lag and helps the base car outaccelerate the V-6 up to 50 mph. When speeds reach 80 mph, the V-6’s superior horsepower helps it to slowly pull away from the four-cylinder, but up to that speed, the two are identical. So the V-6 is certainly more expensive, but it’s not really any quicker than the base engine.Fueling Our SuspicionsIt was no surprise to find that the smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivered better fuel economy than the 3.2-liter V-6. In our not-so-gentle hands, the V-6 returned an average of 19 mpg while the four-cylinder came in at 22 mpg; Audi recommends premium fuel for both engines.
It was also no huge shock that the weight of the well-equipped A4 3.2 Quattro we tested came in at 3860 pounds, or 174 more pounds than the more basic 2.0T Quattro tester.
The compact premium sedan segment is an interesting one. In the segment, there used to be three main players – the Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3-Series, but they’ve recently been joined by Audi’s stable-mate Volkswagen as well with the Passat CC, and competition, which has always been keen, has been getting more intense.Comparisons between what car to buy in this segment has always been pretty interesting too, because of the significantly different timing of new model model launches in this segment. The difference in model launch times are more apparent because of the longer seven-year model life-cycles.So there was a time when the B8 looked so modern and big compared to an aging E90 3-Series, but now the tables have been turned and BMW has the brand new F30, while the Audi A4 B8 that was first unveiled in August 2007 soldiers on, having just been given a facelift earlier this year.The B8 played a huge part in starting the daytime running light craze in Malaysia and helped paved the way for a surge in Audi popularity here with the grey importers. It had the spirit of Tony Stark’s cool car, but in a practical sedan form, not to mention far more affordable than an actual R8.Exterior cosmetic changes include a reworked bumper, which features new look angled air inlets and fog lights, restyled headlamps as well as a redesigned grille and bonnet, fringed by updated LED daytime running lights. The LED daytime running lights represent the second-generation in Audi’s DRL design.
When Audi’s DRL first made its debut, it was merely a series of individual LEDs arranged in a line or whatever shape that the designers picked for that particular model.While immensely popular, I felt this was a pretty lazy way of implementing DRL. After all, anyone could simply line individual LEDs in a row, and this technique had already been used in tail lamps for a really long time.
Audi daytime running lights then evolved, and what you get now is basically like a solid tube of light, which to me is a sleeker and more mature implementation that takes more effort. It’s also far less glaring than the individual LEDs of the last generation of Audi daytime running lights.Audi’s implementation is also a bar above its competitors because there’s minimal ‘leakage’ of light along the light tube – the lighting is consistent. Certain car manufacturers that have also implemented light tubes have light leaking from the source, which leads to an inconsistent look, much brighter at the light source and fading away to more subtle lighting further away from it.At the back, the tail lamps reflect the shape of the headlights and the bumper, and the diffuser insert has also been redesigned to give the A4 a wider look. All in all, the A4 looks a lot more grown up now, which also causes it to look tamer than the pre-facelift model, especially in this version without the RM25,000 S-Line exterior package. If anything, it looks like a mini A6.Inside, revisions to the refined interior include new choices of trim material and colour schemes. There’s a new paddle shift steering wheel design as well, one that feels very good in the hands.
Audi Drive Select is now controlled by a single button that cycles between modes – Efficiency, Comfort, Auto and Dynamic. On the whole, there are a lot of subtle changes that uplift the interior’s ambience and perceived quality, and the interior still feels up to date.The model on test here is the baseline 1.8 litre TFSI model, which uses a Multitronic CVT gearbox that drives the front wheels. The price tag starts at RM235,000, but the car we took out is from a batch which includes uprated Milano leather trim. The usual price for the Milano upgrade is RM8,500.The kit list is good – six airbags, ESP, ISOFIX points, electric seats including electric lumbar support for both front seats, paddle shifts, three-zone air conditioning, an electric rear blind, xenon plus headlamps with LED DRL, Audi Symphony radio with a 6-CD changer, a six-channel 180 watt amp and 10 speakers, Bluetooth handsfree, Audi Drive Select, light sensor, rain sensor, cruise control.If you think what’s changed on the outside is not much, you’ll be glad to hear that there’s significant changes under the hood. The Audi A4 is one of the first cars to get a motor from the third generation of the EA888 engine family.This new 1.8 litre TFSI engine gains Audi’s Valvelift system to refine the torque curve, and an additional exhaust camshaft adjuster has been integrated. Other technical changes include a reduced main bearing diameter, balancer shafts that are in part roller bearing mounted, an optimised pressured oil circuit including a revised control oil pump as well as a weight optimised crank shaft to help reduce weight.The third-generation EA888 1.8 litre TFSI engine also gains a completely new cylinder head that now features an integrated exhaust manifold and a water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation system fully integrated into the turbocharger.
Because the engine’s exhaust gases flow through a water-cooled manifold, exhaust gas temperatures are about 158 degrees cooler by the time they reach the turbo.The engine block itself is now casted from the conventional flat pouring to upright pouring. The block is so optimised that block wall thickness is as low as 3mm, while similiar engines can have a minimum wall thickness of about double that figure.There is also a dual fuel injection system which allows the engine management system to switch between FSI direct injection and port MPI injection as needed. The ability to use MPI injection when necessary should ensure the valves are kept clean, as the fuel injected by the MPI injectors will help wash over the valves. Direct injectors inject directly into the combustion chamber, so the valves do not benefit from the cleaning properties of fuel.The result is a 1.8 litre that makes 170 peak horsepower from as low as 3,800 rpm all the way up to 6,200 rpm. It’s a 10 hp bump over the old 1.8 litre.
That’s an incredibly low RPM to achieve peak horsepower, which speaks of the whole package’s efficiency. Of course, there’s definitely some room for aftermarket tuning here to unleash more horsepower.Peak torque is 320 Nm from 1,400 rpm to 3,700 rpm, which is a significant bump over the outgoing 1.8 litre’s 250 Nm – there’s only a 30 Nm gap between the 1.8 and 2.0 engines now.However, you don’t really feel it during the driving, as Audi has used the engine’s new versatile powerband and increased torque for a more optimised CVT shift programming – the engine now keeps its revs lower for better fuel efficiency.
Cruising along at 100 km/h has the rev needle pointed at below 1,500 rpm.When all you want to do is just amble along smoothly, the CVT gearbox performs like just any other CVT, keeping the revs locked at the sweet spot of efficiency, thanks to the virtually unlimited ratio span. It feels a little weird if you haven’t driven a car with a CVT gearbox before – there’s never a real gearshift for you to perceive. And even with this being one of the best of CVTs, it somehow isn’t able to fully eliminate the rubber band effect that you get on take off.Nudge the gear lever downwards and you can switch the gearbox into S mode, which I assume means Sports mode. It could also mean Stepped mode – this is where the CVT gearbox locks itself into eight virtual gear ratios, so you can feel it shifting along.The feeling still isn’t really the same though. There’s no ‘kick,’ and there’s a lack of raw mechanical feel to it. I’d much prefer if Audi just gets rid of the Multitronic CVT gearbox altogether and equips its front-wheel drive models with the S Tronic gearbox that the higher end Quattro models get.More efficiency measures include the aforementioned Efficiency mode in Audi Drive Select. In Efficiency mode, the air conditioning compressor works minimally, and gearshifts are kept to as minimum as possible.
There’s also an auto start/stop system, which while just two years ago was almost non-existent in Malaysia now seems to be a feature that’s standard now across all models in this segment.The Audi A4 is smoother when restarting than some other models, which tends to jerk forward. The A4 rocks a little when the engine restarts, but at least it doesn’t surge forward, perhaps because of the CVT on hand as opposed to a regular automatic. Last but not least, the power steering system is now powered by an electric motor instead of being driven off the crank.The result – an average rated fuel economy of just 5.8 litres per 100 km compared to the pre-facelift model’s 7.4 litres per 100 km rating.
You typically won’t be able to get paper ratings in real world, but I’m guessing the large margin of difference in even the average ratings mean the A4 has made great strides in efficiency.I only had the car for two days and a night during the weekday, so I only travelled about 80 km in total. The average economy was about 9.5 litre per 100 km on mixed driving, with bouts of spirited driving thrown in between efficient highway runs.The Comfort and Dynamic modes of Audi Drive Select switches the throttle, gearbox, suspension and steering mappings – the idea is to give the A4 two different personalities, according to your intended driving style. The suspension is a little firm even in Comfort setting, and I found the steering wheel to be way too light for my liking in Comfort.Switching to Dynamic mode made the steering wheel heavier, but the suspension became too firm. I would say an acceptable sweet spot would be the steering of Dynamic, but the suspension of Comfort.Highway stability is very good, and the car tackles corners in a pretty planted manner. While the A4 is technically competent, when it comes to the more subjective side of ‘handling’ an F30 still slices it better at feedback while on the twisties.All in all, the update to the Audi A4 is welcome, and the car doesn’t feel too outdated next to the F30. Drollonatthat depends. On the c200, the brochure or website of MB m’sia doesn’t list all the specs in car.
Some you can find. For example,a. Active brake assistb.
Attention assistc. Comand online with dvd player (ok replaced with eco start stop)d. Linguatronic – voice controlled system. Audi has its own.e. Intelligent light system (the high beam mode activates automatically and independently for left and right lamps)f. Brake feathering (when it rains, the system feathers the brakes to keep it dry)g. Automatic passenger detection for airbag activation / deactivationetc.i’m sure the audi has a number of items not listed as well.
So best to go visit the showroom, check out online forums and do a bit of homework before plonking the dough.all 3 are good contenders. When you can afford that price bracket, bmw, audi, merc etc become a close close fight. All 3 have a single strong attribute and if it aligns with what you’re looking for then we have a deal!good luck:). Mirror mirroronatYou see this is the problem with buying any of the models mentioned above – since people call them the cheapest entry to the luxury segment, the owners may look like people who are trying very hard to impress but don’t quite have the means to do so. On the other hand if you drive a Volvo, you tend to project the image of someone who is contented and comfortable with himself and his own achievement, and he doesn’t have the need to compete or compare himself with other people.If you live in the city, chances are you spend alot of time in the traffic jam or in slow moving traffic. So how will a car be most useful under such circumstances?
To me the car must have comfortable seats, a good stereo and is able to give a pliant and stable ride. You may ask how about driving dynamics? I guess the truth is most buyers of this class of cars hardly ever test the driving dynamics of their cars to the fullest.So if you want to spend RM200 – RM300k on a car, make sure you spend it on one that pampers you all the time. MotonatIf you are buying an Audi a4 be sure that you go for 2.0t s-tronic/ quatro, 1.8t comes with multitronic which is no fun at all but 2.0t is rm310k.Went into merz showroom in end of may and it’s still selling yr11 car, but the entry spec then of c200 still drive better than Audi 1.8t.I’m not a fan of turbo-diesel so 320d is not a choice.
The latest f30 328i Ckd bring this segment to another level, great engine – faster than a golf gti, It seats 4 comfortably.My summary is:1) 240-260k range – Mercedes c200, if the new f30 Ckd 320i priced 250k then shall go for the bimmer.2) 260 – 290k – it’s got to be 328i3) 290-310k – Audi a4 2.0t quatro. You ain’t driven an Audi if you never go for the quatro!2) 260. TurbomanonatProper headlight setting from the factory doesnt blind oncoming drivers be it white light or yellow light.
Most if not all modern luxury cars ( not sure abt c180 ) comes with auto leveling lights, that doesn’t blind anybody. They have strict rules over there in Germany regarding this.Its the ah beng modifiers that change their bulb to ultra bright HID without changing the reflectors that give white light a bad rep. The reflector has to be changed due to the different light flux pattern generated by HID bulbs.Set incorrrectly, even yellow light can blind oncoming drivers. ThmnsonatDoes anyone ever have a relatively trouble-free Audi before? Small issues is fine, but seems to be most Audi’s have a lot mechanical AND electronic issues within 3 years?BMWs & Mercs seem to have electronic issues.I know this is not scientific, just anecdotal, but really this has prevented me from taking up continentals.PS. I’m really not convinced about the argument “If you can afford a German car, you should be able to afford the repairs too”.
Even if I can afford it, doesn’t mean I want to pay for a POS that just sits in the workshop, or makes the mechanic rich after warranty is over. AndrewonatTalking abount service:Audi – the worst as only 1 establish service center (dont expect can collect your car with a day for any fixed/repair).
2 year warranty only.Merc – Tons of service center with 4 years unlimited milleage.BMW – Tons of service ceneter with 2 years warranty.Just to throw out another failure of Audi from my friend cars:Q5 (2years) – Engine Cyclider broken.A4 (4yrs) – Engine mouting got problem.Both havent sent to Audi as is after warranty period.Good luck on Audi owner.FYI, Audi as a contintal player, 1.8L using CVT gearbox, be prepare to change the gearbox soon. (only a real driver know what I saying). ZoxonatThe Audi A4 priced at RM235K is quite expensive for its specs and model. So are the rest of the continental cars mentioned here. By virtue of being the most popular continental car brand in Malaysia does not means it can be priced more expensive than others nor the least for the less looked at brands.This of course boils down to the taxes that our Gov ripped off, and the margins the car importers are hedging on.For the Audi A4 1.8T, it will sell better in the price bracket of RM190-200K max.As for after-sales service issues, more workshops does not mean the brand is better. Having 100s of such workshops but with a lack of quality service is as good as having no workshop at all.
The numbers only provide convenience to cars owners and not necessary provide good ownership experience. Obviously having more than one workshop is essential part of a growing business irregardless of type of business.Car break downs and expensive repairs? No one car brand is immune from defects. A quick check in the internet will disclose to you the amounts of Service bulletins and recalls sent out.