AUDI A4

The base model for the A4 this time around is the 1.8 TFSI engine from the new EA888 family, replacing the normally aspirated 2.0 FSI and 1.8 Turbo models of the previous generation. It is installed longitudinally in the engine bay. The EA888 1.8 TFSI engine features FSI direct injection that injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber via six-hole injectors at a pressure of 150 bar. Fuel is injected twice with different quantities, once in the intake stroke and once during the compression stroke. It is designed on run on RON95 fuel or better. It now uses a timing chain that does not need to be replaced.

The turbocharger is the Borg Warner K03 which is watercooled. This isn’t a fancy VGT or twin scroll turbo but it still manages to give the 1.8 TFSI engine an impressive power and torque curve. Peak power output of 160 horsepower is achieved between 5,000rpm and 6,200rpm.

Just above idle at 1,000rpm, the engine is already making 165Nm of torque, and this increases up to a peak of 250Nm (equivalent to a 2.5 liter normally aspirated engine) at 1,500rpm and remains constant up until 4,200rpm.

For this model, the engine drives the front wheels through an Audi Multitronic CVT gearbox. As you know a CVT gearbox has step-less continuously variable ratios between the lowest and highest gear but if that stepped shifting feel is desired, you can shift via the gear lever or paddle shifts between 8 “virtual” ratios, one up from the B7 which had 7.

On the interior you get a really beautiful meter cluster that lights up with brightness and clarity. I love how the needles start from the 6 o clock position, they make the car feel sportier. The center dash area features an Audi Multi Media Interface LCD panel from which you can view in-car entertainment system status. The in-car entertainment system is of the Audi symphony Radio variant. Higher end models that will come later will probably get a co-branded premium system. The boot capacity is 480 liters.

The A4 comes with quite a decent list of equipment such as rear air conditioning vents, traction control and antilock brakes, 6 airbags, bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, foglamps, bluetooth handsfree, light sensor for the headlamps and rain sensor for the wipers, adjustable and heated wing mirrors with folding function, electric front seats, a tinted windscreen, and adaptive lights.

The base A4 rides on 17 inch 10-spoke wheels wrapped with 245/45R17 tyres. Adding the S-Line package (a premium of RM25,000 bringing the car price up from RM235,000 to RM260,000) moves you up an inch to 18 inch 5-spoke wheels wrapped with 245/45R18 tyres, sports combination leather/cloth seats, and an S-Line bodykit.

The A4 has a drag coefficient of cd=0.27. Audi claims a sportier drive and better steering feel thanks to an engine that is positioned behind the front axle and a lower steering system which will result in better steering feedback. Suspension behaviour can be changed via the Audi drive select system – more on how this works or how effective it is to come with an upcoming test drive review.

Audi A4 1.8T, priced at RM235,000 or RM260,000 if purchased with the S-Line pack.