2021 Audi A4 Facelift review
As a compact luxury sports sedan, the 2021 Audi A4 is easy to like and hard to fault. It is well built, handsomely designed and loaded with goodies. The company is kick-starting it's product with offensive strategy for the year 2021. The company is set to launch a new product every other month, but will stick to a petrol-only line-up for now. Look out it's new features:
Exterior
Audi has done heavy changes on the facelifted A4 facelift. The front portion has been completely restyled with a more aggressive and wider front grille, front bumper, and new LED headlamps. It misses out on the shoulder line with new door panels from the side and on dynamic turn indicators at the front but retains it at the back. The upcoming model also gets new 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. The back profile flaunts a new LED tail lamps, more muscular rear bumper, and a new exhaust muffler.
Interior
The A4's modern-looking cabin gets a couple of major enhancements in the form of balancing and new steering wheel and a 10.1 inch touchscreen infotainment unit that's controlled by a rotary knob on the center console. It functions with high-quality materials and easily accessible technology features which include Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, Bluetooth, navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, voice command, and two USB ports.
Additionally, it has the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus with a 12.3-inch LCD screen and an exclusive Sport mode for the screen. Other important features are Audi phone box with wireless charging which is available in five colors: white, blue, black, grey and silver, an electronic sunroof, climate control, gesture-controlled boot opening, electrically adjustable front seats, and five drive modes (Auto, Efficiency, Dynamic, Comfort and Individual).
The interior retains its minimalistic look. The A4's back seat folds in a useful 40/20/40 split, which makes it easy to accommodate longer items like skis. We have tendency to manage to cram five carry-on suitcases in the trunk but were disappointed by the A4's small storage bins and cubbies. The back seat is among the most spacious in its class and has nicely shaped cushions.
Engine
We haven't driven the new hybrid powertrains nonetheless, however, we expect performance won't differ much from the 2020 models. Although we'd love a six-speed manual, a seven-speed automatic is the only transmission. The most notable change in the facelift Audi A4 lies under the bonnet. It gets a new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 190PS and 320Nm coupled to a 12V mild-hybrid system.
It misses out on the Quattro AWD, just like the A6. It is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox with paddle shifters and a manual mode as well as standard. Its top speed is limited to 241km/hr with a 0-100km/hr sprint time of just 7.3 second. There is no diesel engine on offer as the company is focusing more on petrol engines and electrification for the time being.
Price and Competition
The new Audi A4 has been launched in India from Rs 42.34 lakh to Rs 46.67 lakh (ex-showroom India). It will be offered in two variants: Premium Plus and Technology. It will go up against the likes of the Mercedes C-class, Jaguar XE, BMW 3 series, and third gen Volvo V60. The carmaker has lined up a raft of bringing many launches this year such as the A3, Q3, Q5 and Q7.