}} }} Audi released the first official pictures of the
B8 series A4 in August 2007 and unveiled the car to the public at the September 2007
Frankfurt Motor Show.
Saloon/sedan and Avant (
estate/wagon) models are offered. The Avant was unveiled to the public at the March 2008
Geneva Motor Show. For North America's destined models, the B8 continued in production for the 2016 model year, while Europe began deliveries on the 2016 B9 model. The B8 A4 is built on a variant of the
Audi Modular Longitudinal Platform, a platform that is also used in the
Audi A5 coupé. While prior A4 chassis were limited in
wheelbase due to the relationship between the engine, transmission and front axle, the MLP allows for a reduced front overhang, resulting in a greater wheelbase length without the same increase in overall length. This effectively redistributes the centre of gravity slightly rearwards, improving handling by better balancing vehicle mass between the front and rear axles. The estimated static front:rear weight ratio of the B8 A4 is approximately 55:45, depending on body style and engine. The relocation of the steering rack in front of the axle also improves handling over previous A4 platforms. Key to the implementation of MLP is the novel mounting of the
differential in front of the clutch. This is achieved by driving the flywheel/clutch remotely by means of a 'top hat' shaped drive plate, between which the differential lay shaft passes, whilst power transmission to the final drive is via an inclined transfer shaft which runs the length of the transmission unit. Whilst the platform retains Audi's "overhung" engine mounting position, the front axle is now 152mm further forward than the previous B6/B7 generation platform. The transfer shaft, however, has the effect of creating a large "bulge" on one side of the transmission tunnel, which on right-hand drive versions forces the pedals to be badly offset, which has attracted criticism from the British motoring press in particular. The B8 A4 has increased in wheelbase by and in length by over the prior B7, which has allowed for increased rear seating legroom. Although the overall dimensions have increased, the curb weight has dropped some 10%. The boot (trunk) has also increased to for the saloon (sedan) version. The A4 Avant will have a maximum capacity of with the rear seats folded down. Reception has been mixed, with praise for the Audi A4's increased size, giving it best-in-class rear legroom and trunk space in the compact executive car segment. Its inline-4 2.0 TFSI engine, while efficient providing plenty of torque, was considered lacking and less refined compared to 6-cylinder engines of lighter rivals who posted faster acceleration times. However, the
Audi S4 sports sedan has been well-received for its V6 3.0 TFSI engine's power and efficiency. The B8 A4 was facelifted in early 2012. During a model, cycle changes are made to integrate new technologies and to keep the model competitive. These changes are referenced based on the model year (MY) of the car. In Australia, the B8 has undergone 2 revisions leading to three variants, the B8, B8 MY10 and B8 MY11.
Body types Saloon / Sedan Audi released the first official pictures of the
B8 series A4 in August 2007 and unveiled the car to the public at the September 2007
Frankfurt Motor Show.
Saloon/sedan and Avant (
estate/wagon) models are offered.
Avant The Avant station wagon/estate was presented at the March 2008
Geneva Motor Show.
A4 allroad quattro The
A4 Allroad Quattro is based upon the Avant but features a wider track, increased ground clearance, Quattro permanent
four-wheel drive, a distinctive radiator grille, stainless steel underbody guards and roof rails. The A4 allroad quattro was made available in early summer 2009. The car was unveiled in 2009
Geneva Motor Show.
A4L The A4L is a long-wheelbase version of the sedan/saloon for the Chinese market, with a longer wheelbase and length. The vehicle was presented at the 2008 Guangzhou Motor Show. The production version then went on sale in January 2009. Launch models included a 2.0 TFSI with and the 3.2 FSI with .
Specifications Body styles The A4-based convertible models were replaced by the
A5/S5 Cabriolet.
Engines The B8 powertrain options are the following: engines, transmissions and drivelines: (All United Kingdom specification unless stated otherwise). (for South Africa specification). (for Australia specification). (for New Zealand specification). The
quattro permanent
four-wheel drive system uses the latest
Torsen T-3 centre
differential, with a default 40:60 front to rear asymmetric torque distribution ratio (used first on the
B7 RS4) as standard. (Previous A4 Quattro models split torque with a default front:rear 50:50). The additional torque bias applied to the rear wheels helps mimic the driving dynamics of rear-wheel drive cars. Audi was reported to stop offering 3.2L V6 models in 2010 model year, but still offers them as of August 2011 (Germany). All
petrol engines use
Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), and all
diesel engines use the
common rail fuel delivery (with a pressure of ), with
piezo injectors of their
Turbocharged Direct Injection engines. With the 2012 facelift (the B8.5) came additional 163ps TDIe and TDI Ultra engines, the latter requiring the addition of
adblue allowing for cleaner running, both of which fell into the lower emissions tax bracket for the UK, yet presenting a significant performance improvement over the base 136ps and mid-range 143ps models.
Transmissions In 2009, Audi announced the seven-speed
S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission as an option for A4 in the UK and European markets. All A4L models include Speed 8
multitronic continuously variable/
manual transmission, except for A4L 3.2 FSI quattro, which includes Tiptronic
automatic transmission. Volkswagen settled a class-action lawsuit in 2013 involving the failures of the CVT transmission in its Audi A4 and A6 automobiles for model years 2002–2006.
Performance Equipment s of A4 Standard equipment on the B8 A4 includes: •
LED daytime running lights (on some models); • MMI system (
Multi Media Interface) (multi-mode interface of driver information and entertainment systems); (3rd generation MMI expected in vehicles produced from week 22 of 2009). Standard system (Audi Concert/Symphony models) does not include navigation or Bluetooth connectivity (or Bluetooth audio streaming - applicable to 2012 facelift onwards, B8.5 models) • Electronic hand brake • Speed sensitive
power steering ('
servotronic' – on some models) Options: • Audi Lane Assist (
lane departure warning system); • Audi Side Assist (
blind spot monitor); •
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); •
Advanced Key (keyless entry and start); •
Bang & Olufsen 14 speaker sound system (505W); • Advanced parking system front and rear with
reversing camera; • Navigation system with full MMI with screen; •
Adaptive headlights (with cornering technology); • Audi Drive Select;
Safety ANCAP Euro NCAP The Audi A4 (B8)
Euro NCAP crash tests ratings (pre-2009 testing): • Adult occupant = • Child occupant = • Pedestrian = Euro NCAP (2009 testing): • Overall = • Adult occupant = 93% • Child occupant = 84% • Pedestrian = 39%
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Head and seat restraints Good
NHTSA A4 TDI concept e (2008) It includes a
common rail TDI diesel engine rated at and , a
stop-start system and
regenerative braking. It can achieve a fuel consumption of 3.99L/100 km (58.95 mpg) and CO2 output of 105 g/km. It can accelerate from 0- in 10.7 seconds, with a top speed of . Other features include
electric motor-based power steering, revised
aerodynamics, low-rolling-resistance 225/45R17 tires, and electric actuation of the rear brakes. The car was unveiled in
Paris Motor Show.
Facelift (2012–2015) The facelift model of the Audi A4 was released in 2012 for the 2013 model year. It features redesigned LED headlamps and taillights, front air dam with fog lamps, and closely set twin exhausts. Interior changes include Bluetooth connectivity for audio streaming (nav equipped models only) and a redesigned ignition key. Controls for air-conditioning, infotainment, and power windows gain chrome clasps. Other detail interior changes include larger steering column stalk switches first seen in the D4-series
Audi A8 and a simplified layout for the HVAC control panel – for example the temperature setting for the heated seats is now directly set by a single button and is no longer controlled using the MMI dial. The A4 includes a radio with eight speakers as standard, while the MMI navigation system with voice dialogue is optional. A new "Drive Select System" allows drivers to choose comfort, dynamic, individual, or efficiency modes for fuel-efficiency. The power output of the 1.8 TFSI engine is 170 bhp and 320 Nm of torque – up 10 bhp and 70 Nm from the previous versions. Electromechanical power steering is standard. In Europe, the wide range of Audi A4 saloon and Avant estate are available with the 1.8 TFSI, 2.0 TFSI, and 3.0 TFSI gasoline engines (same 7-speed S tronic and 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 as the
Audi S4 but detuned to 272 bhp and 292 lb ft of torque in the A4 3.0 TFSI) Twin Test: BMW 335i Vs Audi A4 3.0 TFSI…, as well as 2.0 TDI, 2.0 TDIe, and 3.0 TDI diesel motors. Trim levels are Attraction, Ambition, and Ambiente. In the UK, the A4 range is offered in SE, SE Technik, Technik, S line, and Black Edition model grades. All-wheel-drive Quattro is offered in most engine and grade combinations. For North America, the facelift model Audi A4 sedan is only offered with a 2.0 TFSI turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine, while the performance upgrade remains the
Audi S4 with a 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 gasoline engine, and no diesel engines were offered. Model grades are Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The Avant was discontinued, leaving the Allroad Quattro as the only station wagon body style. For the 2016 model year, the A4 and S4 continued in B8 production. The B9 A4 would not reach the North American market until the 2017 model year, while the S4 variant would not be available until the 2018 model year. ==B9 (
Typ 8W; 2015)==