Top 6 things you need to know about the new Audi A4
Top 6 things you need to know about the new Audi A4
By Ané Theron
The ambitious, yet understated Audi A4 will be launching in South Africa at the beginning of 2020. After four years in the making, Audi introduces their ninth-generation "masterpiece" with a few key changes such as the latest advanced driving and intelligence tech. Here's what you need to know about the new A4.
1. The striking exterior is all about Audi's new design language
The new A4 reminds me quite a bit of the Audi A5 with its taut and 'pulled' front look. LED headlights will be standard in the A4 and Matrix LED technology will be available. The single frame grille has been tweaked to look flatter and broader, while the side view is defined by the "distinctive muscles above the fenders and the lower-set shoulder line in between." Merc's C-Class now seems very mundane in comparison...
2. A new main unit for the Audi MMI infotainment system
The serene and elegant interior will be home to Audi's latest-generation MMI touch display (now with audible haptic feedback), which will be your control centre for the new operating system. It replaces the functions of the previous rotary/pushbutton control on the centre tunnel console. And Audi's virtual cockpit plus will be available too.
3. Natural speech recognition is improved
Audi says the new system's artificial intelligence has a good understanding many of the phrases used in everyday speech. And via the myAudi app, your smartphone will be seamlessly connected to the car, and the Audi connect key option will allow you to remotely unlock/lock the car and start the engine.
4. Tour, City and Park packages available
5. Satellite navigation has been upgraded
Satnav is now integrated with Audi's Car-to-X services which take advantage of the "swarm intelligence" of the Audi fleet. Apart from online traffic sign and hazard information as well as the on-street parking service, Audi introduces traffic light information functionality (in Europe):
"By networking with the urban infrastructure, the car receives information from the traffic light central computer via a server so that the driver can choose their speed to match the next green light.
"The instrument cluster displays a personal speed recommendation as well as the remaining time to the next green light whenever the driver is waiting at a red traffic light. As such, the system promotes an anticipatory, efficient driving style, along with a constant flow of traffic", Audi says.
6. Electrifying efficiency thanks to Audi's mild-hybrid system
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*Please note that local models & specification levels may differ.
Source: Audi MediaCenter