Friday, January 8, 2016

Sorta A4ordable: All-New 2017 Audi A4 Still Starts Under $40,000

2017-Audi-A4-First-Edition-front-001

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That is not the 2016 Audi A4 pictured above, or the 2013 or even the 2009. Nope, this is an all-new 2017 A4 with all-new, higher prices.

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For better or worse, Audi design doesn't change much from one generation to the next, except the 2017 A4 is even better to drive and brimming with useful, highly sophisticated tech. A base front-wheel drive 2.0T Premium starts at $37,300, just $475 more than 2016. But since all-wheel drive is Audi's game, dealers will load up on the 2.0T Quattro Premium, which starts at $40,350.

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That's $1425 more than the automatic Quattro for 2016, and another $1000 more than the six-speed manual version, which is no longer on sale (but may come back later). All 2017 A4 models come with a revised seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic formerly reserved for the S4. The CVT on front-wheel-drive models (formerly known as FrontTrak versions) is gone. The familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder now brings 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque (up 32 hp and 25 lb-ft).

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The white car you see here is the First Edition, a package based on the Premium Plus trim which offers cooled sport seats, special aluminum décor, a three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, and special 18-inch wheels. There is no production limit and First Edition cars can be ordered throughout the 2017 model year. The TDI diesel is indefinitely postponed, while the the older-gen S4 and Allroad will soldier on through 2016.

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On top of previously standard equipment (xenon headlamps with LED running lamps, eight-way power driver and passenger seats, moonroof, leather), there are now separate climate controls for rear passengers and ambient LED lighting for all. Audi Drive Select is now included, too; it offers custom settings for the steering and transmission (and changes the optional adaptive dampers and cruise control). Forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and auto-braking at speeds up to 52 mph also is included. But SiriusXM radio and an alarm system are now part of a $900 Convenience package, which also brings seat-memory functions.

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The Premium Plus ($42,050 FWD, $44,150 Quattro) adds keyless entry and push-button start, the Convenience package, LED headlamps, 18-inch wheels, more exterior chrome trim, Google Earth navigation with six months of Audi Connect data services, HD Radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, and a larger central color LCD for the instrument panel. Audi Connect, like in the 2017 Q7, now includes telematics services for the first time, including stolen-vehicle tracking and automatic crash alerts to an SOS call center. The First Edition package hasn't been priced yet but will require ordering the Sport and Technology packages ($4000, see below).

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2017 Audi A4

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Finally, the Prestige ($46,850 FWD, $48,950 Quattro) replaces analog gauges with the Audi virtual cockpit, a pretty spectacular 12.3-inch screen for the driver to display full-width maps and all sorts of high-res customized graphics. This dash, which is optional on the Premium Plus as part of the $3250 Technology package, is only available on three other Audi models currently: the 2016 TT, 2017 Q7 and 2017 R8. It also comes with blind-spot monitoring and Pre-sense rear, which includes cross-traffic alerts when reversing and warnings when one might be opening the door into traffic or a cyclist, and which can prepare the vehicle for an impending rear-end collision by closing the windows, tightening the seatbelts, and priming the brakes.

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2017 Audi A4

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Three option packages are only available on Prestige models, including the Warm Weather package ($1450; cooled front sport seats with four-way lumbar and manual rear side shades), Driver Assistance package ($1800; adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, active lane assist, auto high beams, traffic sign recognition, turn assist that auto-brakes the car during left turns), and an adaptive sport suspension ($1000) which lowers the car 0.4 inch. Summer tires wrapping 19-inch wheels are optional on either Premium Plus or Prestige.

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A nonadjustable sport suspension lowers the car 0.9 inch and is optional on all models with the $750 Sport package, which includes sport seats with four-way lumbar and a black headliner. Rear side airbags ($350) and heated seats ($500) are also optional across the board. Look for the first wave of 2017 A4 sedans to arrive at dealerships this spring.

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