FOUR TO THE FORE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_audia4_2020

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 70

Here, we look at the thoroughly updated version of Audi's fifth generation B9-series A4 that arrived in 2019. It continued to provide a very credible alternative to close rivals in the mid-sized premium executive segment. There was a touch more styling personality, an even more sophisticated cabin and mild hybrid engine tech. In other words, an extra dose of vorsprung durch technik. Let's check it out as a used buy.

Modelsword count: 24

4dr Saloon / 5dr Estate (2.0 TFSI, 2.0 TFSI petrol / 3.0 TFSI petrol / 2.0 TDI / 3.0 TDI) [Sport, Technik, S line])

Historyword count: 521

Of all Audi's models, the A4 is the one that's probably played the biggest part in making the brand the success story that it is. At its peak, this was the company's most successful car and by 2019, it still accounted for over a fifth of the German maker's total output. But by the end of this century's second decade, it was facing ever-stronger challenges in its mid-sized premium executive segment. Which is why the fifth generation 'B9'-series A4, first launched in 2015, was substantially updated four years on to create the revised model we're going to look at here. Audi has quite a history of providing saloons and Avant estates in this class, stretching back to an Audi 80 model launched as long ago as 1972, which eventually evolved into the first 'B5'-series MK1 Audi A4 of 1994. Subsequent generations of the A4 model line - the MK2 'B6' version of 2001, the MK3 'B7' version of 2004 and the MK4 'B8' series car of 2008 - firmly established the A4 nameplate in this contender's mainly business-orientated target market. To the point where, at the time of the launch of this current 'B9'-series MK5 design in 2015, the 80/A4 line had generated over 12 million sales. Not everyone shopping in this sector was a fan. There were those who sniffed a bit about the fact that, unlike its direct rivals the Mercedes C-Class and the BMW 3 Series, the A4 drove primarily through its front wheels - like a family hatchback. Others sometimes dismissed it as a plushed-up version of the car that had always shared much of this Audi's engineering, Volkswagen's Passat. So great efforts were made with the 'B9'-series MK5 model to ensure that this A4 might feel worthy of its price premium, particularly in areas like ride quality, refinement and cabin design. The result, at the time of the 'B9' model's launch, was a segment benchmark in certain areas. But by 2019, time had moved on, with all this car's key rivals significantly updated and one in particular, BMW's 3 Series, completely re-designed. Hence the need for the A4 to re-engage - and the launch in 2019 of this facelifted version of the MK5 model. Quite a lot was new here. The styling updates might look quite superficial over the original 2015 model but actually, only the roof, bonnet and boot lid of this facelifted version remained the same as before. Of more significance was the fact that Audi had introduced RDE-1-compliant powerplants and its MHEV mild hybrid engine technology across the range, with a 12-volt system for mainstream models and a 48-volt set-up for the new S4 TDI diesel variant. Plus on all versions, the cabin gained a new larger MMI infotainment screen to work in concert with the now-standard 'Virtual Cockpit' digital instrument cluster. There was also more equipment, a revised range structure and some of Audi's choiciest camera-driven safety and autonomous driving technology. These changes just about sustained the A4 model line to the end of its life in 2024, when it was replaced by a Sportback and Avant estate model range badged 'A5'.

What You Getword count: 404

It's always difficult to update someone else's work, but Audi Head of design Marc Lichte addressed the task purposefully with this facelifted version of the 'B9'-series fifth generation A4, leaving only the roof, the bonnet and the boot lid of Wolfgang Egger's original shape untouched. The previous car was classy, but there was nothing particularly memorable about it. The saloon and Avant versions of this updated model have a bit more pavement presence. As ever though with an Audi, it's the interior that'll really sell you this car. In many ways, this remains the defining interior of its class from its era, with cabin quality that's still un-bettered in this segment and the cool, classy feel that's distinctive to this Ingolstadt brand. The key change here as part of this update was the addition of a much larger 10.1-inch centre-dash infotainment screen, with more sophisticated graphics, acoustic touch functionality and 'natural language voice control'. Unfortunately, that meant the deletion of the useful rotary controller that had operated the previous MMI system, but navigation was added as standard, as were a wider range of cutting-edge 'Audi connect' media features and standard 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. You're positioned almost faultlessly on supportive heated seats in front of the best digital dash in the segment from this era, the 12.3-inch 'Audi Virtual Cockpit' screen, which from 2019 was fitted as standard throughout the range. Wherever you look, touch or feel, there are treats. Buttons click nicely, column stalks feel good and the low-rent plastics you'd find further down in most premium rivals are noticeable by their absence. And in the back? Well in comparison to previous generation A4s, Audi improved the rear passenger compartment of the original version of this fifth generation model by lengthening the wheelbase by 12mm, freeing up 23mm more legroom but that was still only just enough for a tall adult to sit behind an equally lofty driver - and wouldn't be were it not for the scalloped front seat backs. As for luggage space, well Avant estate models got a standard electrically-operated tailgate and with both body styles, the optional 'Advanced Key' package allows you to open either the boot lid or the hatch by waving your foot below the bumper, should you be approaching your A4 laden down with bags. This car's conventional mechanism flips the trunk to reveal a 480-litre boot - the Avant estate model would give you 505-litres.

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