SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8
This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.
My most recent drive is on the home page. Archived reviews and opinion pieces are in the active menu down the left side. Hover your cursor over a heading or manufacturer's name and follow the drop-down.
Posted: 9 June 2016
The numbers
Base price: R532 000
Engine: 1984 cc, DOHC, 16-valve, four cylinder, turbopetrol
Power: 140 kW between 4200 and 6000 rpm
Torque: 320 Nm between 1450 and 4200 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 7.1 seconds
Maximum speed: 210 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 7.3 l/100 km
Tank: 54 litres
Luggage volume: 480 litres (see text)
Warranty: One year, unlimited distance
Maintenance plan: 5 years / 100 000 km; with roadside assistance
There have been some changes to A4, Audi’s top selling medium saloon. The little-loved CVT transmission made way for a seven-speed, S-tronic dual-clutch unit. The 1800 cc turbo motor was swapped for a 2.0-litre, increasing power by 20 kilowatts to 140, while maximum torque remained unchanged at 320 Newton-metres.
Its body is very slightly bigger - 12 mm longer wheelbase, 23 mm greater body length and 16 mm wider - but just as tall as previously. The bigger dimensions created more passenger space while the boot stayed the same, at 480 litres.
Despite the car’s increased size, it lost some weight – as much as 120 kg on certain models. Design tweaks reduced its Cd to 0.23; as slippery as that last piece of soap in the bath water. Redeveloped five-link axles and retuned power steering made it more responsive.
And it flies like an anti-tank missile from an insurgent's launching tube. Just as the engine’s torque curve starts declining, at 4200 rpm, maximum power kicks in to give you an unexpected one-two in the kidneys. It’s a delightful hooligan machine.
Equally unexpected is its steering. On first driving off, it feels slightly heavy - rather like a Quattro - but it lightens up once you’re under way. Suspension is pleasantly firm, soaking up irregularities well and handling is clean and confident. But most Audis are like that, so there’s nothing new there.
Even the most basic 1.4 offers 16” alloy wheels, Xenon-plus headlights, keyless-go, multifunction three-spoke steering wheel, MMI radio with Bluetooth, driver information centre, tyre pressure monitoring, part-leather upholstery, cruise control, rain sensor, automatic aircon, a spacesaver spare and music sockets.
Two-litre cars add five-way mode select, while Sport Line (like our test car) offers bespoke 17-inch wheels, sports suspension, certain trim items and front sports seats. These are nicely bolstered, have under-thigh extenders and feature electrical six-way tailoring – fore and aft, up and down, and tilt. The pilot gets lumbar adjustment. The recliners are mechanical.
An extensive list of options includes MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, styling packages, LED headlights, high beam control, Audi Virtual cockpit with its choice of graphic displays, lane change assist, Audi Connect, upgraded sound systems and fold-down rear seat backs.
The boot is long, wide and reasonably deep, with lashing rings and a courtesy light. Its loading lip is only 64 cm above ground level and is 15 centimetres high for easy loading. The folding seatback option (at R5300), if ordered, extends cargo space from 480 litres to 962.
The tall backseat passenger rated head-, leg- and foot room as very satisfactory although the high central tunnel means that only a small person could get comfortable in the middle seat. A side note: Our 6’1” tester found to his surprise that he did not need to ratchet the pilot’s chair all the way down; its range accommodates drivers with even longer upper bodies than his own. A full set of belts and head restraints is provided.
The Audi A4, when all is tallied up, is a compact family car that goes like a wild thing, offers a decently sized boot, carries four in comfort, is well equipped and is nicely finished. It’s little wonder that over nine million have been sold in the model’s 22-year lifespan, with South African buyers contributing a steady average of 5000 units per year.
Test unit from Audi SA press fleet
We drove a facelifted version in 2021
This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.
I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material. If I ever place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with that vehicle at least once already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.
Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. As quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.
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SA Roadtests
South Africa
ctjag8