Audi A4 Avant - First Drive

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It seems that we as a nation can't get enough of small estates. Segment leader, the Audi A4 Avant is a perfect example. With the new model, the Avant is expected to take nearly one in every two sales of this compact executive choice. Larger than its predecessor, its boot capacity is bigger than that of the BMW 3-Series Touring and the Mercedes C-Class with the rear seats up.

Styling
The new A4 has made the transition from saloon to Avant estate well. Things are unchanged at the front, but at the back, the sloping roofline looks sporty and the roof rails are well integrated. The rest of the design follows current Audi styling cues, with its high-waistline and defining crease along the side. It's a good-looking car, but the sloping roofline limits capcity.

On the inside...
Inside, there's the usual high quality finish. Some of the launch cars we drove were fitted with Audi's intuitive MMI system (Multi-Media Interface) with DVD navigation. Music lovers are well catered for with the optional Bang & Olufsen audio system delivering 505 watts of music power from 14-speakers!

Open the tailgate and there's the class-leading 490-litre boot, this climbs to 1,420 litres with the seat folded down.

On the road
I drove the revised 157PS 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a six-speed manual gearbox, the 143PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel with seven-speed multitronic CVT transmission and the 240PS 3.0 TDI with six-speed manual transmission. Top speed for the range-topping 3.0-litre TDI is 155mph, with 62mph coming up at an equally impressive 6.1 seconds. Performance for the 2.0-litre TDI was equally impressive and this engine is well matched to the seamless multitronic CVT transmission.

I liked the steering feel on the 1.8-litre version best. The ride on the 17-inch wheels was firm, but on the upside, I could make the most of the A4's excellent, exploitable chassis.

Although the 2.0- and 3.0-litre diesels were good to drive, it's the 1.8-litre TFSi I would have taken home. This engine felt refined, torquey and responsive with a fine manual gearchange. In the real world it's not far off the larger diesel engines in terms of speed and acceleration; certainly something to consider with current diesel prices. The top speed is 140mph, with the 0-62mph dash covered in a respectable 8.6 seconds.