The Audi A4, one of the German carmaker’s best-selling sedans, has made a big return. Keeping its Quattro tradition, the latest model features savvy high tech elements inside and out. It’s bigger and lighter too. 

The all new Audi A4, a full changed model in eight years, revised the platform of its predecessor and used lighter components instead, losing nearly 100 kilograms in weight. The carmaker used high-strength steel, magnesium frame for backseats, module cross member and front suspension made of sheet aluminum to reduce the weight of the vehicle. 

The sedan also offers more space than most of its rivals, the company said, adding that it is 25 millimeters longer in full length and 16 millimeters longer in width than its previous model.

Employing “virtual cockpit,” Audi’s symbolic concept of innovation, A4 comes with 12.3-inch LCD screen that provides information for drivers as well as a high resolution MMI navigation system and a touch pad that offers convenient driving experience.

The MMI navigation system allows drivers to store data up to eight categories including music, phone number and address. It also has a smartphone interface, Apple CarPlay, that plays content when connected to a device via a USB cable or Bluetooth.

The carmaker also claims to have reduced wind noise to levels below those of its rivals, by using soundproof mirrors, door sealing system and brushless motor for its air conditioning system for passenger comfort.

Another noticeable feature is A4’s enhanced safety. Adopting “Audi pre sense city” as standard equipment, the vehicle warns the drive at city speeds when collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians are impending. 

The system, in support of camera, detects possible collisions, sends a series of warnings and starts to apply the brakes fully if the driver remains unresponsive to the threat.

The German carmaker touts that the all new A4 family presents the past, the present and the future of automobile technology. The A4 has already garnered high scores from critics winning the 2015 Golden Steering Wheel and the best car 2016 award in the mid-sized category by German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. It also received five out of five stars in safety in the Euro NCAP Test, it said.

The price ranges from 49.5 million won to 59.9 million won, with fuel efficiency hovering between 11.6 and 12.5 kilometers per liter. For more information, visit www.audi.co.kr

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldcorp.com)