You know how car commercials show really awesome rides with big wheels, powerful engines and shiny paint while also promoting low prices? You can't have both, and in the case of the all-new Audi A4, the car you are getting for the entry-level price has a 1.4-liter turbo engine.
The 1.4 TFSI is similar to what you get in the A3 compact and Passat. It just sits under the hood differently. The output remains the same too: 150 PS from 5,000rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm.
In Germany, you can grab the A4 with one of these from €32,550 if you want a 6-speed manual or as much as €34,850 when S tronic is optioned. This is an interesting talking point if ever there was one. In the old days, the A4 had a 1.8-liter turbo at the bottom of the range, and its gearbox was a CVT, not a twin-clutch like today.
Just because the engine is small doesn't mean the A4 is going to be small. This next acceleration test shows how the car will reach 100 km/h in under 9 seconds, just like the manufacturer says. The same 1.4 TSI can push the Seat Ibiza much faster, but it won't be as comfortable at 200 km/h.
Can we say any other good things about it? Well, the basic Audi A4 is still faster than some Lexus models. It also looks a little better than the basic Passat and should be cheap to tax.
Now the negatives. Volkswagen claims that its Passat 1.4 TSI takes just 8.4 seconds to reach 100 km/h compared to 8.7 in the Audi. It's also not as frugal as the equivalent 2.0 TDI model, though it is cheaper to buy to begin with.
Can you get it with right-hand drive in Britain? Yes, of course. There, the entry-level A4 1.4 TFSI SE model costs £25,900 on the road. Standard features include xenon headlights with LED running lights, three-zone climate control, switchable damping, automatic city braking, keyless go, stop-start and cruise control with a freewheeling mode. But we suggest paying £950 for the Sport model as it gets sat-nav, 17-inch wheels, extendable squab sports seats, an upgraded sound system, and a nice three-spoke steering wheel.
If you like the A4 but not the 1.4 engine, you might want to check out our 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI acceleration tests.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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