The New Facelifted 2012 Audi A4 And S4 Revealed

While the launch of the new BMW 3 Series Saloon has dominated the car world for the past fortnight, Audi has been preparing their new facelifted 2012 Audi A4 range.

They’ve revealed five new facelifted models. The Audi A4 Saloon, A4 Avant, S4 Saloon, S4 Avant and A4 Allroad.

The new look brings the Audi A4 into line with the rest of the Audi family.

But as the A4 is the brand’s core model, the changes have been rather conservative.

After all, when a model has sold over more than 10 million cars over eight-generations you don’t tamper with a winning formula.

At first glance the Audi A4 looks unchanged, but dig a little deeper and you’ll see subtle changes. The bonnet, front bumper, grilles and lights are all new.

Headlights are reshaped while the LED detailing looks both whiter and sharper.

But perhaps the most important change is the front grille, specifically the horizontal slats.

Introducing the corporate motivation scheme.

Four-cylinder models get grey slats. You’ve obviously not been working hard enough, my lad.

Get promoted and the S-line or V6 variants provide gloss black slats.

And if you reach the top floor, the S4 provides you with chrome slats.

Changes to the back of the car are even more subtle, being limited to resculpted lights and bumpers, standard twin tail pipes and a new diffuser.

You know something is different, but you’re never quite sure what it is. It’s just enough of a change to make existing owners of the Audi A4 feel that their car is no longer the newest model.

Audi’s marketing machine in a nutshell – pride, shame, hierarchy and exclusion.

The Interior

Interior changes match the exterior alterations – small and incremental.

There are chunky new steering wheels to choose from. For example, you can select a flat-bottomed steering wheel and pretend you’re driving a Lamborghini Gallardo.

There’s a new ignition key, extra gloss and chrome trim, a range of new colours and different inlay trims.

The MMI navigation system has been streamlined with four buttons to press rather than eight.

And while there’s nothing really ground-breaking, all the newest in-car technology is available.

This includes a driver drowsiness warning system, radar cruise control and a lane departure warning system.

Meanwhile, one of the A4′s strengths, boot space, remains at 480 litres which is enough to match the new BMW 3 Series.

The Engines

The biggest change is a new selection of more efficient engines. Although power and torque have increased, Audi claims an 11% improvement in fuel consumption across the range thanks to standard direct-injection, start-stop, forced induction, electric power steering and brake regeneration.

Diesel Engines

• 2.0-litre TDI four-cylinder 118bhp
• 2.0-litre TDI four-cylinder 134bhp – 67 mpg – 112 g/km
• 2.0-litre TDI four-cylinder 141bhp
• 2.0-litre TDI four-cylinder 161bhp
• 2.0-litre TDI four-cylinder 174bhp
• 3.0-litre TDI six-cylinder 201bhp – 57.6 mpg
• 3.0-litre TDI six-cylinder 241bhp

Petrol Engines

• 1.8-litre four-cylinder TFSI 118bhp
• 1.8-litre four-cylinder TFSI 168bhp – 236 lb ft torque – 50.4mpg – 134 g/km
• 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI 208bhp
• 3.0-litre six-cylinder TFSI 268bhp

Depending upon your choice of model, drive is through the front wheels or all four (quattro system), linked to a six-speed manual, CVT Multitronic or seven-speed S-tronic automatic transmission.

A4 Allroad buyers have a choice of three engines; 2.0-litre TFSI, 2.0-litre TDI (174bhp) or 3.0-litre TDI (241bhp).

The flagship Audi S4, available in both Saloon and Avant formats, has the same 3.0-litre TFSI engines as before producing the same 328bhp and 325 lb ft of torque.

That makes it capable of 0-62mph in 5.0 seconds, top speed of 155mph and 35.3 mpg (which has been greatly improved from 28.2mpg in the old version).

You can identify the S4 due to changes in the headlights, bumpers, air outlets and colours. The interior is also subtly different. It also features 18 inch alloys and S-sport suspension.

Speaking of which, although the changes to the chassis are slight, the Audi A4 features a revised suspension and a new electromechanical power steering system.

This has three benefits. First, it is meant to improve feel, second it requires no energy for straight-ahead inputs, which lowers fuel consumption and third, it can detect your steering inputs which helps it to warn you when you need to take a break.

Audi also claim that ride quality has improved. But having said that, if you select the S-line Audi A4 the ride should still be rather robust thanks to a 20mm lower ride height and sports suspension.

Prices

The facelifted 2012 Audi A4 goes on sale soon. Prices are expected to be confirmed in the next few weeks and are likely to be similar to the existing A4 range.

So let’s have your comments. Will you be rushing out to buy the new facelifted Audi A4?