This week, the Volks Affair team discuss Audi’s A4 model and what we can expect from the new A4 B9 in 2018.
The A Team
Readers of the blog will be familiar with the way Audi name their models. The A series are on-road vehicles: sedans, hatchbacks, wagons and estate vehicles. The A series are arranged by size, so the A1 is the smallest and the A8, the largest. The A4 is a mid-sized sedan.
The A4 was launched in 1994. As a continuation of the Audi 80 range, the internal numbers of the A4 start where the Audi 80’s ended. The last Audi 80 was a B4 series, so the 1994 A4 marked the beginning of the B5. 2016, 2017 and soon-to-be-released 2018 models of the A4 are in the B9 series.
Audi A4 B9 (2016, 2017, 2018)
The latest iteration of the A4, the B9 has a whirlwind of features. Each year, these are added to or altered, but what has remained constant are the autonomous LED headlights (introduced in the B8), and the ambient interior lighting.
Personalisation is a big theme of the B9. Drivers can adjust more than ever before. Climate control can be tempered in three separate sections of the cabin. Drive Select lets the driver control the responsiveness of the accelerator pedal and the steering wheel. The Audi A4 B9 also lets drivers choose between eco-friendly modes: Comfort, Sport and Eco Fuel.
The 2018 Audi A4 concept image
Comfort
Passengers are promised extra room in the A4 B9 2018. And they may well get it — the B9s are larger than the preceding B8s. The passenger seat has purportedly extra headroom, and the backseat has more legroom “than ever before”.
Heated panels further add to passengers’ comfort, with the leather and vinyl front seats now having heated panels installed for the 2018 model.
Infotainment and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit
The A4 B9 2018 is focused on tech immersion and communication. Its infotainment system has a smartphone interface compatible with Android and Apple phones.
As an optional extra, drivers can have installed Audi’s Virtual Cockpit — a 12.3” (24.6cm) digital display behind the steering wheel, replacing the instrument cluster. the Virtual Cockpit both physically and practically replaces the traditional behind-the-wheel dials. Driver information, navigation and infotainment are all accessible from this digital display.
The 2018 A4’s Virtual Cockpit is an optional extra
Safety Features
The care Audi have put into behind-the-wheel infotainment is mirrored by their commitment to vehicle safety. Like with Audi’s electric E-tron Sportback, the manufacturer is beefing up the A4’s perimeter security. Driver Assistance technology in the A4 B9 includes pedestrian detection, rear cross traffic assist, side assistance, exit warnings, blind spot warnings and attention assistance to tell you when to take a break. Autonomous braking is also installed.
Engine and Drive
The A4 has a 4-cylinder 2.0L inline turbo engine, with 6 speeds for manual and 7 for S-Tronic (automatic). The A4 B9 is a front-wheel drive, though Quattro (all-wheel drive) models will be available.
The Audi A4 B9 is a mid-sized sedan with a lot of exciting safety and infotainment systems. While you’re waiting for your test drive, why not read some of our other blog posts? Because we specialise in Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi car servicing, we have a range of blog posts on German prestige cars, from the history of Volkswagen in Australia to the future of electric cars.
Remember, whether an 80 B1 or an A4 B9, it’s important to get your Audi serviced regularly. Contact Volks Affair to book in for an Audi service in Melbourne today.