Kevin Haggarthy Road Tests: The new Audi A4

New Audi A4

Audi, Audi, Audi.........it's the buzz word in the luxury car sector these days. Could it be those fancy LED's shouting 'look at me' everytime a new Audi passes? or is it just that Audi knows how to produce exceedingly good cars. The A4 is it's 'bread and butter' model, the big seller that makes the money, so just how good is the latest addition to the brand.......

Price: Ranges –

Test drive date: 22nd January 2008

Summary

Audi can’t seem to put a foot wrong these days, churning out class leaders with almost every new model. Do Audis’ match up to the likes of BMW and Mercedes in the quality stakes? You bet; Audi is well up there with the best, and arguably ahead of both in many areas.

Despite their extensive new model line-up, the A4 is Audi’s bread and butter car. It’s the volume seller – the one that has to do well; the one most of us buy. Already a winning formula in its previous guise, only careful, bespoke improvements will avoid interrupting the A4’s winning streak.

Good Points

More room inside whilst retaining compact structure. Excellent chassis and handling. Extremely refined in diesel form. First rate fit and finish.

Bad Points.

Very few negatives worth making a fuss about. Too many engine variants, (all with different driving characteristics), doesn’t make for easy consumer choice - as you don’t get to drive them all like we do - but 2.0 litre diesel is the best all rounder. Extensive options list can take final purchase price to crazy levels -yet many features are taken for granted in luxury segment cars these days.

Summing Up

A fitting successor to the previous model with many new innovations and features – at a price. Definitely a class leader with a touch of prestige.

Star Rating : 4

(5 – Outstanding)
(4 – Very Good)
(3 – Adequate for Segment)
(2 – Poor)
(1 – not worth considering)

Best of the range: 2.0 litre Diesel

Styling/Design

No radical changes here, but enough to make this car distinctive enough from the old. New design is tighter, sportier, with subtle innovations. The new grille treatment provides for that assertive ‘it’s an Audi in your rear view mirror’ look , whilst the now trademark LED day time driving headlamp feature gives a unique presence to the car, for upto as long as it will take the after market accessory industry to allow everyone to fit a cheap copy.

The new A4’s sleek, stylish, inoffensive styling will ensure the mass popularity of the car is maintained, whilst panel fit and finish alone is second to none. Its smart enough to be parked alongside anything anywhere, and (most importantly) it ‘looks’ like a quality prestige car.

Interior, equipment, and accommodation.

The new A4 has now has as much interior space as the old A6 whilst retaining the compact dimensions that make it ‘an A4’. This is welcomed and needed. Driver and passenger seating is extremely comfortable, and legroom in the rear will only be compromised by someone 6ft 4 and above in front.

Options such as Leather seating and the integrated Sat Nav systems are a must really, hiking the price of your new A4 up by at least a couple of grand. Add to that the new multi radar safety system, and a very good value optional £500 option for the new Bang & Olufsen Hi Fi system and you’ll be at least adding three to four grand to your model price. All worth it though (especially for resale) for these are options you may well regret forfeiting over time.

Audi have a winning formula in their dash and switchgear design, which is broadly the same across the range. It all ‘user friendly’, in fact, a pleasure to use. Why can’t all interiors be like this? Audi A4 drivers will want for nothing behind the wheel, and (thank god) you don’t need a degree in reading instruction manuals to operate it all – 5 stars for that Audi.

On the Road

It’s in the ride and handling department where your engine choice matters most. We tried the 3.0 litre diesel, the 2.7 diesel, and the 2.0 litre diesel. No petrol options were available, but we can expect to see a 3.2 quattro, a 2.0 litre and 1.6 petrol engines at least, soon. All three variants drive differently. The 3.0 litre had loads of torque but soon ran out of steam in second gear, gasping for third in the short straights between fast bends when punted hard, whilst you’d welcome a little bit of extra travel in second to allow some engine braking into the next bend. The manual gearchange coped with being shuffled around at speed, but is clearly more at home to a less hasty hand. The chassis composure of the 3.0 litre was excellent, and it is the handling of this car which stood out most; safe, predictable, sure footed and composed, unperturbed by even the most unsympathetic treatment making it a true pleasure to drive hard with attitude.

Whilst again demonstrating sure footed handling we couldn’t quite see the point of the 2.7 – slightly more agile with less weight upp front, but if you want the oomph, the 3.0 litre does it all.

The Crown Jewel of the range is the 2.0 litre diesel. You can still be upto 125 mph (well at least on the German Autobahn) in no time at all, and your real life A to B journey is likely to be no different to the bigger models. The 2.0 litre diesel feels immediately engaging and user friendly, it’s power train best suited to the A4’s dimensions. What’s more, with less weight up front, the steering has excellent feel and the whole driving experience is much more enjoyable. The six speeder manual is a joy to use, and the whole car feels much more engaging to the driver. So impressive is the 2.0 litre that we suspect even the power inclined will still opt for this over more bhp. Add better fuel ecomony and lower overall running costs into the bargain and you have a real winner here.

Is it worth buying?

Oh yes. If you’re looking for a mid size family car, which is well built, reliable, stylish with a strong element of prestige, the A4 more than does the job. Add to the equation the good quality of service, (and not least a decent coffee), you can expect from the Audi dealerships these days and somehow the equation seems complete.


Kevin Haggarthy

Kevin Haggarthy Road Tests: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster Jan 2008

Until I drove this one, the DB9 S was the best 'drivers Aston for me..but this one makes a very close contender. And here's why......


“Look carefully, and tell me what’s missing.” These were the Aston Martin reps final words at the end of one of his no doubt many factory tours. Our tour guides enthusiasm, and endless knowledge of all things Aston, was seriously impressive. So there in front of us was a line of gleaming Astons, polished ready, and destined for their new proud owners. They looked perfect. Yet according to our host, something was missing from each of the cars, and for the life of me, I couldn’t work out what it was. Had I been a potential purchaser, I would have driven out of the showroom without even noticing….

I pleaded to our guide to put me out of my misery. And so he did -proudly pointing to the missing Aston Martin logo on the boot-lid claiming. “No Aston can leave this factory Sir, without earning its wings!” Well, of course. Despite their spotless appearance, this gleaming bunch of Astons had still yet to go through arduous water tests, track testing, and finally the ‘Customer Acceptance Line Process ‘ a meticulous checking process for every car before it can, you guessed it…. ‘earn its wings’.


Built to perfection

Building an Aston Martin with great care is where your path to understanding this company begins. See it as the contrary to the frantic, against the clock, production line process dominating the average mass produced family runabout. Unlike such examples, Aston Martin is not looking to churn out hundreds of cars a day. What’s more it’s hardly a recipe for passion.

At Aston, it’s a much less frenetic affair; each car taking the equivalent of some 200 man-hours to produce; that’s about the same amount of time it takes a corporate company such as Ford or Toyota to produce fifty cars. Astons are manufactured at the Company’s HQ and state of the art production facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire. There, its cars are assembled at a series of successive work stations, where small groups of specialists will proudly fit and finish at each production stage to spec. Aston maintain that each car remains essentially hand built by their own craftsmen with decades of experience.

I like that. Had I been a potential customer on the day it would have given me confidence in the build integrity and quality of my investment, and not least the reassurance that buying an Aston Martin is indeed quite an occasion in itself – even if it is one you are fortunate enough to repeat. It also tells me that the Company really care about the product I am buying, and yet when I get behind the wheel and drive this glacial blue V8 Vantage Roadster with attitude, my attention is immediately diverted to the instant excitement generated from that amazing exhaust note, a Bang & Olufsen sound track in its own right, simply relishing the no-nonsense approach to the throttle it was getting from me. And that is exactly how an Aston Martin should make you feel.

beauty by design

Yet on looks alone, and regardless of any exotica you may have previously owned, the V8 Vantage Roadster will trigger superlatives from every angle – for it is a quality product, with a unique thoroughbred history. Its’ sense of presence is macho yes, yet not overtly male, unique but understated, and bold yet exuding sheer class.

Meanwhile, the global motor industry is ducking and diving from endless blows and challenges, yet there has hardly been a better time to buy an Aston Martin. With ex professional rally driver and Pro Drive founder and entrepreneur Dave Richards at the helm and the highly competent Dr. Ulrich Bez as Chief Executive Officer, Ford seem to have sold the Company into the right hands, and the future for Aston is looking pretty good right now.

On the road

But the proof is in the pudding, and right now it is the new V8 Vantage Roadster. Whilst originally introduced at the Los Angeles Motor Show in 2006, production of the Roadster began in Spring 2007 , and was immediately in high demand. Right now it is in high demand from me as I hurriedly get behind the wheel for the first time, running late for an editorial meeting. There was little time to sit and savour the privileged tool I was set to use for the journey. Adjust seat, turn ignition key, (the words ‘power, beauty, soul’ flash up on the dash). press the ‘start’ button, and my keenness to be gone was shared by that instant raw from the exhaust. I could see that we were going to be friends.

And Wow. When you hear a noise like that you just can’t treat the V8 Roadster as an ‘everyday car’ – it’ special- even when you’re in a hurry. Snick the manual shift into first gear, ( a steering paddle based Sportshift option is available for an extra thee grand) whilst the handbrake located to the right of the seat, must be lifted, button pressed, and released again; it’s easy, and I’m off.

The gearbox is smooth as silk from cold, and in no time you the driver are at one with the car. It is best to remind yourself, earlier rather than later, of the Roadster’s capability; 0-60 mph in 4.9 secs and a top speed of 175 mph . Yet on first acquaintance it doesn’t feel so. Not that the power isn’t there; (it takes just a few more inches of throttle to prove that) , but this ‘baby’ Aston is so tractable, easy to drive, and user friendly that you almost ‘forget’ it is a supercar. Not all that long ago you just wouldn’t say that about an Aston Martin. They were all muscle and brawn, needing high driving effort; but you can now, and that opens doors to many new Aston Martin customers. (take note Dr. Bez)

Refined

The Roadster is also tremendously refined; it feels even better built than the original Coupe version of the car we drove about a year ago. In the past, inconsistent build quality was regarded as a broadly acceptable novelty of bespoke hand made cars. No longer are such things a quirky and amusing talking point at the bar, but are simply a ‘no-no’ –Thankfully, this is a matter Aston have put well behind them, and the fit and finish of this Roadster was indeed exemplary.

The enhanced sturdier feel to the car is partly attributable to a revised steering rack assembly, now fitted to the Coupe also, giving a more confident feel to the drive. Enhanced stiffness is derived from a slightly thicker gauged aluminium chassis, and strengthening of the webs within the sills. The added stiffness is also derived from being ‘designed in’ from the start, as the car was originally penned with the Convertible concept in mind. The continuity of four years production stability at the Gaydon site will also have gone some way towards quality consistency too.

Inside, the V8 Roadster is roomy and spacious for driver and passenger alike. The beautiful hand stitched leather interior adds to the sumptuous and luxury feel you would expect of a car of this kind. There is wonderful styling integration between the exterior and interior look of the car –the long, swooping centre console being in total harmony with its smooth, flowing yet tight classic external lines. Switchgear is functional and purposeful, and the dials are easy to read. There’s no space to the rear other than a centrally located oddment bin to keep things tidy.

Back to the driving, and it is the engine which is the soul of this car. A smooth revving 380bhp V8,churning out a massive 302 llb.of torque, and capable of propelling you to over 100 mph more than the UK’s national speed limit. As said, it is the tractability of the engine which attracts most, and the relative lack of noise insulation as a result of the reclining roof- whilst making for a very loud motor car – enhances the aural pleasure.

If you’re travelling ‘top up’ on the motorway, the engine noise and noticeable tyre roar may prove tedious to some over long distances. Cabin noise is by no means ‘conversation friendly’. The all aluminium frame weighs only 1710kg, and we suspect weight has also been saved by lightweight materials used for the triple layered fabric reclining roof – so sound protusion is a factor.

Whilst driver and passenger have ample room, the same cannot be said for luggage space. Aston had to live with a compromise here – for they needed to incorporate a totally integrated reclining roof mechanism which inevitably compromises boot space. Yes, your golf clubs will fit nicely, but fitted designer luggage bags will be your best option for long journeys. It’s a sacrifice Aston consider worthwhile, for the integrated soft top design ensures the reclining roof is totally stored away when reclined without interfering with the car’s clean lines, and it takes just 18 seconds. It’s such a simple affair to use too - ‘up’ or ‘down’ at the press of a button, and that’s it, Done.

the drivers choice

The committed driver will love the way this Aston handles. Being rear wheel drive with a powerful V8 lump up front, and a slight weighting balance to the rear, the Roadster threads easily through bends under power. Its straight line performance is prodigious, (more a question of the level of courage you have to explore it) whilst the brakes, responsive and with just the right amount of feel, scrub the speed off easily. Rather than dip its nose under power into a tight bend, the Aston retains its composure, edging you to power through with the knowledge that the back end of the car is safely rooted to the road. Gear changing is a joy; you’ll want to put the work into playing that melodious exhaust note as you power up through the rev range. It all becomes a totally engaging experience – locking car and driver to the task in hand. With the top down, sun shining, and that V8 playing its melodious tune, at this very point in time life couldn’t be better.

Yet, this V8 Vantage Roadster is a supercar you can equally enjoy punting around town on a summers day, as you will on a fast cross country blast– such is its tractability and user friendly nature. This Aston simply does what you want in the way you demand it, with sounds, looks, and blistering performance to match. If this is what the future Aston Martin ownership experience is to mean, then we heartily embrace it with open arms.


Kevin Haggarthy.

Ends.

Price: £91,000

Specification:


V8 Roadster
Length
4380 mm
Width
1865 mm
Height
1265 mm
Wheelbase
2600 mm
Engine
4.3 litre V8
Power
380 bhp @ 7000 rpm
Weight
1710 kg
Top Speed
175mph
0-60mph
4.9 seconds
Ins Group
20
Consumption
18.8 (average)