Audi A4 2.0 TDi 2006 Review

Diesel Daze

And the overwhelming question that's on everybody's lips (well, mine away) is - when it comes to A-to-B transport, why aren't we all driving these things? Diesels that is, not German chariots...

In the case of the Audi, there's little doubt in my mind the TDI provides the best 'transport' option when it comes to the A4 range. Though the engine is uninspiring in its aural and ambient habits, it is refined, economical, lusty and simply the best option in terms of delivering the goods. Pun intended.

Our feature on diesels last week by CarPoint's used car guru, Joe Kenwright,pointed out that diesels don't deliver their best in the school-run mum-or-dad's-taxi style routine. Fair point... To totally dismiss them from this sort of duty is an over-reaction, however. You mightn't realize the full fuel economy savings in this type of use, but the A4 TDI will deliver the lion's and you'll get an absolutely fuss-free commuter into the bargain.

Matched to the seven-speed CVT Multitronic transmission, the 2.0-litre 16-valve 103kW TDI is at its best. Audi's NVH experts have tamed the at-times clattery timbre of the engine (in the VW Golf, at least) and the engine seems none the worst for the extra 150kg or so it needs to haul around (again in comparison to the V-dub).

Acceleration from rest (9.8sec 0-100km/h) is willing, though we'd not go so far as to call it exciting. There's a touch more than you need at times in stop-start traffic (ie: you tend to torque away a touch quicker than you need to, with a cheeky chirp of the front tyres). Put that aside, the delivery is civilized and smooth. So much so I found myself clicking on the cruise control even around town rather than fall foul of Victoria's over zealous policing policies.

On the open road the combination of the CVT's variable gearing and prodigious midrange oomph make the TDI a more relaxed mile-muncher than any of the petrol four-cylinder A4s. The turbo diesel's 320Nm of torque is on tap from 1750-2500rpm. With 100km/h coming up with less than 2000rpm on the tacho, it's easy to appreciate why overtaking response is so eager.

Though our test period didn't include a long highway journey a couple of 100km or so freeway trips gave an indication of the TDI's abilities. This is a car designed to cruise economically at 130-140km/h - 110's a doddle. You can expect better than 6.0lt/100km with no sacrifice of performance or civility.

But we are talking about 'transport' here. If you are looking for a fun, characterful car the TDI will disappoint. Like all the current A4s, the diesel has lifeless, over-assisted steering that emanates little joy if, as us, you like driving. Car companies need to realize civility does not necessarily mean every aspect of road feedback must be filtered out. 

That said the A4's chassis is capable enough and ride, though a touch choppy, is arguably better than BMW's latest 3 Series on our less-than-perfect roads. It's just there's little involvement to go along with the experience.

Does that make the A4 TDI a bad car? No, far from it. For many, many consumers, the refinement of this package -- the A4's interior may be dated but it's still the best finished out there -- the reasonable pricing (better than $10,000 less than its C-Class competitor) plus the growing cachet of the Audi brand Down Under will be alluring enough.

Our Mauritius Blue tester had few options that we couldn't have lived without. Paying extra for metallic paint ($1500) on a $60K car still grates with Yours Truly (and always will!) as does the $690 split-fold rear seat. C'mon guys, these are standard on the $13,990 driveaway cars... Other equipment fitted includes heated front seats ($890), Symphony sound and BOSE speakers ($1800), and chrome dress-up package ($500).

The upshot of this relatively modest list is that the standard non-optioned $56,990 A4 TDI is a viable option... Something that can't readily be said of some of its segment counterparts.