More dynamic than ever: the quattro driveline
In the transmission area, Audi offers customers a wide range of high-tech solutions. Easily operated manual gearboxes or tiptronic automatic transmissions, and also the multitronic continuously variable transmission, deliver engine torque to either the front wheels or the quattro permanent four-wheel-drive system. For the new saloon model, this is more dynamic than ever before, with the torque split biased more strongly to the rear wheels.
The driver will experience the new A4 as the sportiest of the midsize saloons – a car that is agile, precise and effortless to control. The differential has been moved further forward in the driveline by interchanging its position with the clutch or torque converter. This has enabled the front axle to be repositioned 154 millimeters further forward – a solution that permits the axle loads to be ideally balanced. For the new Audi A4, the dynamic suspension is a totally new development. Thanks to the use of numerous aluminum components, the suspension, steering, wheels and brakes are exceptionally light in weight.
Two innovative technologies add even greater fascination to the driving experience. One of them is the Audi drive select control system, with which the driver can adjust the operating characteristics of the engine, automatic transmission, steering and adaptive damping to suit his or her own preferences. The other is Audi dynamic steering, which operates with a superimposed gear system that varies the effective steering ratio according to road speed. Close to the handling limits, it acts together with the ESP to stabilize the car by slight but very rapid adjustments to the steering. In this way, the system combines sporty driving fun with a high level of safety.
The innovative assistance systems on the new A4 make driving even more relaxed and enhance the driver’s control of the situation. Audi equips its new saloon model on request with various high-tech systems that have so far been available only on luxury cars. These systems control the distance from the car in front, help the driver to keep within the chosen lane or to move safely from one lane to the next, and provide support when parking the car.
Technical area of the future: multimedia
The Audi A4 also sets new standards for a midsize car in one of the most fascinating technical areas of the future, namely multimedia. The new saloon enters production with a series of communication and entertainment technologies at the customer’s disposal that would be impressive even in a luxury-class car.
Among the components are various audio systems, a TV receiver, two navigation systems, an iPod interface and a highly convenient Bluetooth telephone. Audi is supplying the new A4 in three equipment lines, known as Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente.
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| The lines are taut and the attention to detail are great. Can the all-new Audi A4 finally leapfrog the BMW 3 Series? |
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| The A4 is now being sold in Europe. Expect the sales here in the Philippines to start mid next year. |
