PETALING JAYA: The car Audi Malaysia has been teasing about in August has finally arrived. It was officially launched today and it’s a sedan touted as “more powerful, more efficient and more intelligent” than before.
It will be available in three variants but only the 2.0 TFSI will be offered at launch. The 2.0 TFSI is priced at RM248,900 (OTR with GST but without insurance) and the first 100 units is offered at RM239,900, the same as the outgoing 1.8 TFSI.
The Audi A4 with optional S Line package takes centrestage.
An entry level 1.4 TFSI and a performance-oriented 2.0 TFSI quattro will be introduced locally by January next year. Pricing details for these two variants will be announced when they debut. Audi Malaysia sold the previous 2.0 TFSI quattro at RM312,000.
Just as the 3 Series has been the main cash cow for BMW, the A4 has been the bread-and-butter model for Audi globally. The A4 began life as the Audi 80 in 1972.
Headlights and tail lights are all LED-based in the 2.0 TFSI. Despite being an all-round bigger car with an increase of 25mm in length and 16mm in width, the A4 is up to 120kg lighter than its predecessor due to the mix of materials and lightweight design, resulting it being the lightest vehicle in its class. The new A4 design is evolutionary and conservative rather than dramatic.
The side mirrors of the new Audi A4 also now sit on the shoulders of the car rather than off the A-pillar, imbuing the sportier look previously only seen on the Audi TT and R8, but also improving its aerodynamics.
The BMW 3 Series fighter is also up to 21% more fuel efficient. In addition, it has the best drag coefficient in its class at 0.23.
The centre of the dashboard houses the MMI radio plus, which features a fixed 7-inch screen and the Audi sound system with 6-channel amplifier and 10 loudspeakers outputting 180 watts. In the driver’s seat, the all-new Audi A4 comes fitted with a sporty 3-spoke multi-function plus leather steering wheel with shift paddles as standard.
The new A4 also gets electrically adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar support, class-leading rear seat space as well as a class-exclusive 40:20:40 rear seat split, which can increase the boot space from 480 litres to 965 litres.
Mated with a 7-speed S tronic gearbox, the latest 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder engine develops 190hp and 320Nm of torque from a lowly 1,450 to 4,200rpm, propelling the A4 from 0-100kph in 7.3 seconds with a top speed of 240kph. The A4 2.0 TFSI maintains class-leading fuel-efficiency with a combined fuel consumption rating of 5.0litres/100km and a CO2 emissions rating of 114g/km.
Built on the new MLB-Evo platform that also underpins the Audi Q7 SUV, the chassis of the new Audi A4 works in tandem with its electromechanical power steering system and newly developed five-link adaptive comfort suspension system with damper control to filter out road unevenness for passengers whilst ensuring optimal driver feedback.
As with all Audi vehicles, the Audi drive select comes as standard, allowing the adjustment of suspension, engine and drivetrain settings to suit the driver’s personal preferences and road conditions. The new A4 also comes equipped with a host of electronic features to ensure an efficient and safe driving experience, including a start/stop system with energy recuperation, Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC), Traction Control (ASR), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), parking aid plus with selective display, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and six airbags.
Two optional packages – S line and Technology – are available at launch to personalise the fifth-generation B9 A4.
The sporty S line package includes more aggressive front and rear bumpers, 18” 5-twin-spoke star design allow wheels, illuminated front door sill trims with aluminium inlays, Alcantara leather front sport seats in black, S line sport leather steering wheel and numerous other sporty features. It retails for an additional RM25,000.
The Technology package, which will be available shortly and expected to be RM25,000 also, will include Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators at the front, MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, Audi virtual cockpit, Audi smartphone interface for Apple Car Play and Android Auto, Audi connect and a rear view camera.
An Audi official said over 100 bookings have been received for the new A4, and deliveries are expected to start next week.
The 2.0 TFSI is available in 10 colours: Glacier White, Floret Silver, Matador Red, Tango Red, Argus Brown, Scuba Blue, Monsoon Grey, Manhattan Grey and Mythos Black, as well as a special Daytona Grey with pearl effect for vehicles specified with the S line package.
To a question on why it took “so long” to bring the car in (it was already selling in Europe late last year), Audi said it wanted to get the pricing right as it is keenly competing with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class.
Local assembly is being considered for the A4, said Audi Malaysia marketing director Rudi Venter.
Also present at the A4 launch and product presentation today were Audi Malaysia product marketing head Izwan Wong and corporate communications head Isaac Lee Mathew.
READ MORE:
First drive of Audi A4 in Venice
Audi models coming in 2017
A look at the Audi A4 1.4 TFSI
The standard Audi A4 2.0 TFSI.
Keyword: New CBU Audi A4 launched in Malaysia, priced from RM249K