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by Lester Jansz

Audi AG has selected Sri Lanka as the first country in the sub-continent to launch its all-new Audi A4. Audi's Sri Lanka distributor, Senok Automobiles unveiled the new A4 at the Hilton Colombo.

Since its launch in Europe, the new Audi A4 has won numerous awards, which include the "Red Dot" award for design, "Car of the Year", Autocar and "Winner of the Compact Executive Category", What Car? and Auto Express.

"In the new A4, Audi has combined four major elements in the business of making cars - outstanding design, uncompromising safety, engineering brilliance and superior build quality", said Country Manager Sunil Kaul.

"Under Audi's proverbial 'Vorsprung durch Technik' (Advancement through Technology) philosophy, design has become one of Audi's core competencies", explained Kaul. The A4 is built on a completely new platform. "The new chassis significantly refines the riding and handling qualities of the A4, to meet the needs of even the most demanding customers", Kaul pointed out.

The A4 also incorporates Audi's revolutionary Multitronic auto transmission. Unique to Audi, the Multitronic system delivers an excellent dynamic acceleration combined with superior fuel efficiency and an overall smooth ride.

Inside, the Audi conveys a sure sense of style. The basic architectural concept of the interior and the flowing transitions from the dash panel to the doors, create an aesthetic experience of lightness.

With the A4, Audi is introducing two completely new petrol engines. These are a 2.0 litre inline four-cylinder unit with 96k W (130 bhp) and a 1.8 litre Turbo with 120 KW (163 bhp).

Audi AG has provided more space on the Audi A4 by adding 33 millimetres to the wheelbase. Inside, passengers have more head and leg room and the boot offers a substantial 445 litres of luggage capacity.

Audi's design engineers have made significant progress regarding the bodyshell, which is 45 percent more rigid than on the previous model. Crash safety has benefited enormously as a result.

All Audi A4 models are fitted with the latest generation Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as standard. This system helps the driver remain in control of the vehicle in potentially critical situations at the handling limits.

"With the remarkable fusion of sporting and sophisticated characteristics into a consistently modern architecture, the Audi A4 will turn heads wherever it goes," said Senok Automobiles' President Mr. Noel Selvanayagam.

"Senok Automobiles will continue to invest an additional Rs. 8 million on its after-sales facilities, skilled technical and front office, staff, and introducing high quality training programs over the next few years," Selvanayagam disclosed.

Audi is offering the multitronic, a continuously variable automatic transmission, for the first time in this vehicle category on the new A4. The multitronic is available for all versions of the front wheel drive models. The multitronic transmits torque ratings of as much as 310 Nm. This means that even the most powerful petrol engines in the A4 series, the 3.0-litre V6 with 220 BHP and 300 Nm of torque, can be combined with multitronic.

The big difference with the multitronic is that, for the first time, the gain in convenience is not at the expense of dynamism and operating economy. In fact, quite the opposite: most of the data for an A4 with multitronic are actually superior to an otherwise identical vehicle with 5-speed manual gearbox.

There are two diesel engines as well, though these are not primarily intended for the Lankan market. A 2.5 TDI V6 with 132 kW (180 bhp) and 1.9 TDI with pump-injector fuel injection and 96 kW (130 bhp).

Quattro permanent four-wheel drive versions can also be ordered.

SIDEGUARD airbags are standard on all models, as are upfront sensors for optimised airbag activation.

Both front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions of the Audi A4 have self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension based on the advanced design used on quattro models. The new Audi A4 has a hydraulic brake assist system. Its task is to help the driver in emergency braking situations by automatically increasing braking pressure. In the event of a side impact, remote sensors transmit signals which are compared with those from a sensor in the central airbag control unit. This concept enables all side airbags to be triggered in accordance with the accident sequence.

The new A4 is a communication centre on four wheels. And its occupants can enjoy every convenience imaginable - from the standard air conditioning to hi-fi audio systems to automatic adjustment of the driver's seat and the mirrors when getting in.

The Multi Communication Bar aerial system, which is integrated out of sight in the upper edge of the rear window, is a unique example of how electronic systems have been compressed: the receivers for radio diversity, TV, telephone and navigation system, and the standard radio remote control for the locking system, are grouped here.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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