Audi calls it ‘Land Of Quattro’ – its recent global campaign to highlight all-wheel-drive technology. Make no mistake, Audi’s well-honed all-paw traction is a major point of difference in direct comparisons with the other Germans.
Now Audi Australia has introduced the Model Year 14 A5 and A5 featuring Quattro models with new four-cylinder engines and other detail changes. The entry-level front-drive models are still there but – rightly so – Audi is currently trumpeting its all-wheel-drive superiority.
Oh and multiple Le Mans victories with its stunning turbo-diesel powered racers isn’t a bad way to highlight that technology either.
By any measure Audi is right on top of its game at the moment, putting the blow-torch to Benz and BMW – combine that with the current price war amongst all prestige German brands - and new car buyers are winning on all fronts.
Audi A4 And A5 Overview
The 2014 model year lineup looks like this:
A4 Sedan
1.8 TFSI multitronic 125kW $55,800
2.0 TDI multitronic 130kW $57,900
2.0 TDI Quattro S tronic 130kW $65,800
2.0 TFSI Quattro manual 165kW $63,000
2.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 165kW $65,800
3.0 TDI Quattro S tronic 180kW $88,000
3.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 200kW $92,900
S4 3.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 245kW $119,900
A4 Avant
1.8 TFSI multitronic 125kW $58,500
2.0 TDI multitronic 130kW $60,900
2.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 165kW $68,800
Allroad 2.0 TDI Quattro S tronic130kW $69,900
S4 3.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 245kW $123,400
RS 4 4.2 FSI Quattro S tronic 331kW $149,400
A5 Coupe And Sportback
1.8 TFSI multitronic 125kW $64,200
2.0 TDI multitronic 130kW $65,700
2.0 TDI Quattro S tronic 130kW $75,900
2.0 TFSI Quattro manual 165kW $74,000
2.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 165kW $75,900
3.0 TDI Quattro S tronic 180kW $93,800
3.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 200kW $98,400
S5 3.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 245kW $135,400
A5 Cabriolet
1.5 TFSI multitronic 125kW $75,800
2.0 TDI multitronic 130kW $77,900
2.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 165kW $89,100
3.0 TDI Quattro S tronic 180kW $106,700
3.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 200kW $110,500
S5 3.0 TFSI Quattro S tronic 245kW $146,000
Audi A4 And A5 Engine
New to the lineup is the 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel with the 7-speed S tronic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive. Maximum power is 130kW at 4200rpm and peak torque of 380Nm is delivered between 1750-2500rpm.
Aided by the Quattro system, the turbo-diesel is marginally faster zero to 100km/h than the front-drive version at 7.8-seconds and combined cycle fuel consumption is rated at 5.3l/100kms.
The 2.0TFSI petrol engine for the Quattro models has been significantly updated, including new fuel-injection. While torque is unchanged at 350Nm from 1500-4500rpm, power is up to 165kW from 4500rpm- 6250rpm.
So, for example the Audi A5 coupe with the new 2.0TFSI petrol engine is faster zero to 100km/h at 6.4-seconds and more fuel-efficient at 6.7l/100kms (combined cycle).
Audi A4 And A5 The Interior
While the big news is the new four-cylinder Quattro models, there’s not a lot of change for the rest of the MY14 updates. Both entry-level A4 and A5 models add 3-zone climate control air-conditioning and colour Drive Information System (DIS).
All Quattro models score the ‘Parking System Plus’ system which includes a rear-view camera.
And even the entry-level 2.0TDI and 2.0 TFSI A5 Coupe and Sportback run the 20GB hard-drive MMI Navigation Plus.
Audi A4 And A5 Exterior & Styling
Similarly there’s not a lot of change for the exteriors of either the A4 or A5 models.
The new 2.0TDI and 2.0 TFSI A5 Coupe and Sportback are comprehensively equipped with inclusions such as 18-inch alloy wheels and Xenon headlights while all V6 models (TDI and TFSI) gain the rear-view camera and sporty S line exterior kit as standard.
Audi A4 And A5 On The Road
Over a full day on the roads around Albury on the NSW-Victorian border Carshowroom.com.au got behind the wheel of an Audi A4 Quattro with the 130kW/380Nm 2.0-litre TDI engine and an A5 Coupe Quattro with the 165kW/350Nm TFSI petrol powerplant and S line sports package.
For those sorts of roads, the $7,900 S line pack brings game-changing extras – principally the lowered/firmer sports suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, sports seats and the excellent flat-bottom sports steering wheel. In some high-performance 2WD cars, the lumpy conditions and mid-corner bumps found on those secondary roads can be frustrating and destabilizing, but Audi’s Quattro system shines (you almost feel the drive transferring as it alters according to available traction).
It’s a whole heap of sophisticated German technology at work and the result is confidence-inspiring with the balance, precision and downright pace available regardless of the conditions (we copped the odd passing shower that day just to make things even more interesting).
Not that the regular A4 sedan was the poor relation. We understand the rationale behind the various front-drive models but - call us old-fashioned - we can’t separate ‘Audi’ and ‘Quattro’ so we’re pleased the excellent 130kW/380Nm 2.0-litre TDI engine (and 7-speed S tronic transmission) is now available in the A4.
Our test car was pretty much the $65,800 entry-level A4 TDI Quattro S tronic. Apart from metallic paint ($1,270) the only extras were sports seats ($577) and Audi Drive Select ($308). At that price, the latest Audi A4 isn’t lacking equipment.
And again – as highlighted on those roads near Albury – it’s the top-notch handling courtesy of the Quattro system which makes the Audi A4 so enticing. Not that city roads are immune to the appeal of Quattro…remember that slippery curve onto the freeway that morning you were running late for the airport?
Audi A4 And A5 Challenges
Hard to fault the updated Audi A4 and A5. Dollar-for-dollar and feature-for-feature Audi has its mainstream sedan and coupe models spot-on.
Audi A4 And A5 Verdict
Over the years your Carshowroom.com.au correspondent has spent considerable time with Audi’s leader Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn - he’s always been driven, passionate and very focused on his direction for the company; a very impressive man. And now, learned car industry observers reckon Audi is clearly the star of all the Volkswagen Group brands.
Audi has always been the performance and technology brand of the Group, with its ‘spiritual’ leader the acclaimed Quattro system.
And so it is with the 2014 model year Audi A4 and A5. New four-cylinder Quattro models are right ‘on-trend’ (to use today’s hip parlance) – last week marketing folk would have said: “they’ve hit the sweet spot of what consumers want”. But further, Audi has ramped-up the value equation.
A couple of things remain unchanged – the looks of the current lineup are brilliant and S-line improvements deliver a driving dynamic which is as good as it gets.
Audi A4 And A5 The Competition
BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class natch. Audi has the most powerful entry-level turbo-diesel and as always, us ‘Techno-head car fans’ at Carshowroom.com.au will lean towards Audi’s Quattro models for their sophisticated handling.
Against that, most would say the styling of the current C Class ‘Benz models are a cut above both Audi and BMW.
Bottom line is the current price war amongst the German has all three model ranges now super-crisp for value…and that means consumers are the winners.
Thumbs-up: Usual Audi excellence everywhere; we’ve always loved Quattro; A5 Coupe with S line is a cracker
Thumbs-down: Nothing really – like the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class sedans and coupes, the A4 and A5 are nicely developed and very sharply priced…that’s competition between the German brands for you
