Cheaper prices for new Audi A4

Continental Cars chairman Maurice Mizzi greeted journalists in the unusual surroundings of the company's temporary showroom in Mosta Road, Lija last Wednesday.

The novelty of the all new Audi A4 was, he said fairly early into his address (after saying that the new showrooms for Audi and Porsche will be completed in a year and a half), its cheaper price, making it "more affordable than before".

These better prices, he added, have been passed on to the customer: Lm17,600 for a 1.6-litre with 102 bhp (and 148 Nm of torque) and Lm18,900 for the 1.9-litre TDI diesel with 115 bhp (and 285 Nm of torque).

The A4 is a totally new model - only the roof panel has been retained. It is 38 mm longer than the outgoing model and comes with the new Audi face. There is a choice of ten engines, four of them completely new, including a V8 with 344 bhp from the S4.

Audi brand manager Robert Calafato then went into a bit more detail on the models, including the many engines. The suspension, he pointed out, had been taken from the S4, with better brakes. There are six airbags, side guard protection and lots of other safety features that complement the car's sportiness.

Each A4 is fitted with deluxe automatic air-conditioning, which has separate temperature controls for the driver and front passenger. Electric front windows, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors and central locking with radio remote control are also standard.

Options include adaptive light technology, including xenon plus headlights, and a light/rain sensor which activates the dipped headlights and windscreen wipers automatically if necessary.