The Audi A4 is a {luxury|luxurious} compact sedan {that's|that is} been a longtime hallmark for the automaker. {It's a|It is a} sedan, {high|excessive}-{performance|efficiency} sedan (S4), wagon (Allroad), and {the basis|the idea|the premise} for the A5 {range|vary}. {A new|A brand new} A4 arrived for the 2017 {model|mannequin} {year|12 months|yr} and largely carries over into 2018 {aside from|apart from|except for|other than} some streamlining of {models|fashions} {and a few|and some} {more|extra} {standard|commonplace|customary|normal} {features|options}. With the A4, Audi takes on {competitors|opponents|rivals} such {as the|because the} Cadillac ATS, BMW 3-Series, Infiniti Q50, and Mercedes C-Class. Audi's {family|household} of A4 {cars|automobiles|vehicles} {also|additionally} counts the Q5 crossover梚t's distantly related梐s {well|effectively|nicely|properly} {as the|because the} A5/S5/RS5 coupes, convertibles, and hatchbacks. {The new|The brand new} Audi A4 arrived {in the|within the} U.S. 2016 as a 2017 {model|mannequin}. It {remains|stays} about {the same|the identical} {size|dimension|measurement} {as the|because the} {previous|earlier} {car|automobile|automotive}, {but|however} has {lost|misplaced} weight thanks {to better|to higher|to raised} {construction|building|development} and a lighter all-wheel-drive system. An A4 Allroad wagon {is also|can also be|can be} {available|accessible|obtainable|out there} with a raised suspension and {standard|commonplace|customary|normal} all-wheel drive, and a {high|excessive}-{power|energy} Audi S4 {is available|is accessible|is obtainable|is offered|is on the market|is out there} for {those|these} {looking for|in search of|on the lookout for|searching for} {something|one thing} {a little|a bit|a bit of|a little bit|just a little|slightly|somewhat} sportier. Its new {style|fashion|model|type} {is largely|is basically|is essentially} derivative, {but it|but it surely|however it|nevertheless it} has grown in {places|locations} {where|the place} its predecessor was {lacking|missing}.
Surprisingly, the A4 {is related|is expounded|is said} to {cars|automobiles|vehicles} {much|a lot} {bigger|greater|larger} than it, {including|together with} the Q7, as {part|half} {of a larger|of a bigger} plan to standardize {more|extra} of Audi's {vehicles|automobiles|autos}. {The new|The brand new} A4 is lighter too桝udi claims {it's|it is} as {much|a lot} as 264 pounds lighter than the prior {model|mannequin}. Redesigned {five|5}-{link|hyperlink} suspensions are used {front|entrance} and rear that {result in|end in|lead to} a {more|extra} {comfortable|comfy|snug} drive. The Audi Drive Select system with adjustable shocks, steering, and throttle {will be|can be|might be|shall be|will likely be|will probably be} {available|accessible|obtainable|out there} as an {option|choice|possibility}. {The power|The ability|The facility} steering is a newly developed electromechanical system with an {available|accessible|obtainable|out there} dynamic mode that varies the ratio {based|based mostly|primarily based} on {vehicle|automobile|car} {speed|pace|velocity} and steering angle. Inside, the A4 adopts {some of|a few of} Audi's {latest|newest} infotainment {technology|expertise|know-how}. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel {is available|is accessible|is obtainable|is offered|is on the market|is out there}, as is {a new|a brand new} Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system with touchpad {input|enter}. Safety {features|options} now {include|embody|embrace} lane-{keeping|conserving|holding|maintaining|preserving|protecting|retaining} {assist|help}, {forward|ahead}-collision warnings with {automatic|automated|computerized} braking, and adaptive cruise {control|management} with {stop|cease}-and-go {functionality|performance}. For 2018, heated seats {were|had been|have been} made {standard|commonplace|customary|normal} on all {models|fashions}, {while|whereas} Premium Plus trim {levels|ranges} gained a Bang & Olufsen audio system. {For almost|For nearly} two {decades|a long time|many years}, the A4 was the {brand|model}'s entry-{level|degree|stage} {vehicle|automobile|car} in its American lineup.
But with the arrival of the A4's smaller A3 siblings, the A4 is {no longer|not|now not} the {baby|child} of the {family|household}. Since 1996, when it first arrived {as the|because the} {replacement|alternative|substitute} for the Audi 80/{90|ninety} lineup, the A4 has been seen as a {slightly|barely} sportier {alternative|different|various} to {traditional|conventional} {luxury|luxurious} {cars|automobiles|vehicles}. At first, it wasn't a pure success: The 1996 A4 {offered|provided|supplied} a wheezy 172-hp, 2.6-liter V-6 with a 5-{speed|pace|velocity} {manual|guide|handbook} transmission or {optional|elective|non-compulsory|non-obligatory|optionally available} 5-{speed|pace|velocity} {automatic|automated|computerized} (with Tiptronic {manual|guide|handbook} {control|management} on some {models|fashions}). Performance with this engine was {just|simply} {adequate|ample|enough|satisfactory|sufficient}, {particularly|notably|significantly} with the added weight of quattro all-wheel drive. {At least|A minimum of|At the least|At the very least|No less than|Not less than} it sounded good and was very {smooth|clean|easy}. In its second {year|12 months|yr}, the A4 grew stronger with a 193-hp, 2.8-liter V-6 that moved it with {more|extra} authority. Its base engine, a 150-hp, 1.8-liter turbo-{4|four} (dubbed 1.8T) ended up being {the real|the actual|the true} star, {however|nevertheless|nonetheless}. It {offered|provided|supplied} a {more|extra} sprightly {feel|really feel} than the V-6 {because of|due to} its accessible torque and {better|higher} {fuel|gas|gasoline} {economy|economic system|financial system}. Size was {an issue|a difficulty|a problem}, not {just|simply} with the Audi, {but also|but additionally|but in addition} with its German rivals. {Many shoppers|Many consumers|Many patrons} forgot how small the A4 was {until|till} they {got|acquired|bought|obtained|received} inside梠r tried the {back|again} seat.
At {just|simply} 178 inches {long|lengthy}, the 1996 A4 wasn't {much longer|for much longer} (or any {larger|bigger} inside) than a contemporary Toyota Corolla. It had a {winning|profitable|successful} {interior|inside} with a {rich|wealthy} {feel|really feel}, {mostly|largely|principally} {because|as a result of} Audi was {way|approach|manner|means|method} {ahead|forward} of most {other|different} {luxury|luxurious} automakers, {including|together with} Mercedes-Benz and BMW, when it {came|got here} to {interior|inside} appointments. That included the introduction of {items|gadgets|objects} {such as|akin to|comparable to|corresponding to|equivalent to|reminiscent of|resembling|similar to} a navigation system {before|earlier than} most {other|different} compact {luxury|luxurious} sedans {were|had been|have been} {offering|providing} one. Avant (wagon) {models|fashions} of the A4 {were|had been|have been} {offered|provided|supplied} from 1998 {until|till} 2012, and mirrored the sedan {offerings|choices}, {though|although} they {offered|provided|supplied} a bit {more|extra} versatility {thanks to|because of|due to} flat-folding {back|again} seats and the {wide|broad|extensive|huge|large|vast}-opening hatch. The Allroad {replaced|changed} the A4 Avant, {using|utilizing} {the same|the identical} {body|physique} on {slightly|barely} {higher|greater|increased|larger} suspension and with off-{road|highway|street}-evocative {body|physique} cladding. For 2000 and 2001, the {limited|restricted}-{edition|version} S4 {offered|provided|supplied} a 250-hp, twin-turbo V-6 and quattro all-wheel drive. Audi {extended|prolonged} its lead with the A4's redesign for 2002. It {brought|introduced} with it {a completely|a totally|a very} new, {more|extra} athletic look on {the outside|the skin|the surface}.
