The start point for the best source of fleet information |
Audi A4 Ultra Test Drive Review
Date: 05 September 2014 | Author:
The CO2 race between the German trio of compact executive saloons has taken another step, with Audi gaining parity with BMW through the new A4 Ultra, which comes in at 109g/km in saloon form.
That matches the ubiquitous BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics; however, both are left trailing by the new Mercedes C-class's 103g/km, although that car is by far the newest model of the three.
The new Ultra branding is available in A4 saloon and Avant and A5 Coupe and Sportback forms, following on from the A6 Ultra driven last month. There will also be an A7 Ultra later in the year.
The A4 saloon and A5 Sportback are powered by the 163hp 2.0-litre diesel engine, giving the car power parity with the 320d ED, although the A5 Coupe only gets the 136hp version of the same engine. All bar the A4 Avant return an official 67.3mpg and 109g/km, with the A4 estate at 64.2mpg and 114g/km.
The A4 Ultra is available in SE and SE Technik trim levels, and the £1000 upgrade to Technik is a no-brainer, thanks to the additional satnav, Milano leather upholstery, iPod connector and front parking sensors. That's a decent amount of useful kit for the money.
The 163hp diesel is punchy and reasonably refined, if not class-leading, and offers a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds. The A4 is the oldest of the German saloon trio and can't match the C-class or 3-series for driving pleasure, but the classy cabin and comfortable ride quality combine with the efficiency to make for an excellent long-distance tool.
The costs case sees the C-class take the honours. There's less than £500 between the cars, but the SE Technik-level Audi is better specified than either SE-trim rival. However, the C-class's greater efficiency and better residual value of 38.2% compared with 34.7% for the Audi and just 32.7% for the 320d ED means it is the most economical to run at 60.3p per mile, 2.0p per mile better than the A4 Ultra and 3.4p per mile in front of the 320d ED.
| 11D price | £29,265 |
| Model price range | £24,385-£56,545 |
| Residual value | 34.7% |
| Depreciat¬ion | £19,115 |
| Fuel consumption | 67.3mpg |
| CO2 (tax) | 109g/km (17%) |
| BIK 20/40% per month | £83/£166 |
| Service interval | variable miles |
| Insurance (1-50) | group 27 |
| Warranty | 3yrs/60,000mls |
| Boot space (min/max) | 480/962 litres |
| Engine size/power | 1968cc/163hp |
| Top speed/0-60mph | 140mph/8.3secs |
| On sale | summer 2014 |
VerdictThe A4 range now makes even more sense for company drivers |
8/10 |
|||
