2017 Audi A4 New Variants Against Rivals

The newly-introduced variants of the Audi A4 mean that the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are now firmly locked in a three-way battle in the premium compact exec segment.

Whilst Audi continues to be hamstrung by the lack of CKD that prevents it from offering a competitive combination of price and kit, the A4 now at least has the pre-requisite variety to match the different variants of the 3 Series and C-Class in performance.

For starters, the existing A4 2.0 TFSI variant with 190hp and 320Nm matches up nicely against the mid-range variants of its rivals, namely the 320i and C200, both of which run on 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines boosted to similar outputs.

The A4 enjoys a slight power and torque advantage over its rivals, but does not translate that to superior acceleration times. The Audi is significantly more economical on fuel than both though. It is also worth noting that, despite not enjoying the benefits of EEV incentives, the A4 2.0 without the optional Tech Pack starts at a lower price than the Mercedes, but still some RM17k north of the BMW.

The Benz was subject to an update recently too – the C200 and C250 have ditched their 7-speed automatic gearboxes for a new 9-speed unit, but with no change to its power outputs. The two extra ratios tacked an additional RM5,000 to the C200’s sticker price; the C250 maintains its existing price.

At the base level, the A4 1.4 TFSI goes up against the BMW 318i and Mercedes-Benz C180. Price-wise, the Audi once again occupies middle-ground between the BMW and the Merc.

Its 1.4-litre engine displaces the least swept volume of the three, but outputs of 150hp and 250Nm puts it near the 1.6-litre C180 and well clear of the 1.5-litre three-pot 318i. On the road, the A4 is claimed to be almost as efficient as the 318i whilst nearly matching the C180’s superior acceleration times.

If it was launched earlier, the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro would have taken on the BMW 330i and Mercedes C300 with similar outputs. What has happened instead is that both the 3 Series and C-Class have moved on to plug-in hybrid variants at the top of their range that are at the same time cheaper, more powerful, and more economical. You’ll really need to want the superior traction of its quattro AWD system to justify picking the range-topping A4 over the BMW and Merc PHEVs.