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Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra Sport 150 PS long term review 1: Elegance and economy

Audi A4 Avant at New Lanark Mills
Audi A4 Avant at New Lanark Mills

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8 August 2016

Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra Sport 150 PS

THE Audi A4 Avant model – well, all Avant models in Audi’s range to be honest – have always added a touch of extra class to the saloon version in a very understated way.

The extended load bay with the sharply sloping roof at the rear mixes the promise of genuine practicality with a civilised and crafted execution.

And this Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra Sport model we’ve been trying out really is one of the most civilised, stylish Audis we have driven.

It’s quiet and effortless on the road; a delight inside with its new look interior with full width ventilation slats underpinned by a silver aluminium inlay; easy to load thanks to a fob button that automatically raises the boot and pulls back the tonneau cover automatically. (You can also order the keyless operation option that works by waggling your foot below the bumper if you wish.)

But above all, it’s a really good Audi to drive. This latest MLB platform on which the Avant body sits, gives the car more rigidity and it’s lighter. So crests and bumps are compressed and rebounded with quilted mattress softness but underlaid with firm springing that ensures a composed and calm ride.

This isn’t a jolt and jar car; it’s progressive, smooth and flowing.

The way this Audi A4 Avant turns into corners is also something of a revelation: it’s crisp and direct, tenacious and responsive. We like it a lot (although you need to take it easier if you are carrying items in the boot, of course).

Audi A4 Avant
Good boot for reclaimed chair

Talking of the boot, it’s not all style over carrying ability. There’s 505 litres of luggage capacity – extending to 1,510 litres with the seats folded – which proved more than handy when my wife spotted a bargain chair requiring some upholstery to make it a loved item again. It was transported safely back. Which was just as well: I was fairly short of option B….

And I really like that auto boot opening facility; it’s really handy when you’re coming back from the gym or tennis club with your kit bag and other essential addenda means a quick blip on the fob means by the time you arrive the boot is open and you can dump your stuff inside.

Audi A4 Avant
Handy cubby holes

But at heart of this car is Audi’s 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine. It’s the 150PS power unit and although it’s a little flat-footed under initial acceleration, the turbo quickly builds up the torque. And by changing up quickly to make the most of this boosted torque you can scuttle along very nicely indeed.

It’s also very long-legged: sixth is a real cruising gear for ultimate economy and relaxed motorway driving. So sometimes you’ll see the gearchange indicator telling you a downshift is advisable; at other times you can change up quicker from third to fourth than you anticipated.

Out of all the gearchange indicators I’ve experience, this has been the most helpful – perhaps because of the engine’s nature: responsive low down, but geared for economy higher up.

Audi A4 Avant
It’s touched 65.4mpg…

So how has the economy panned out? Audi tells you it will do 70.6mpg on the official cycle and we have seen as high as 66.2mpg on a single journey (within touching distance of that official figure!) but in mixed driving it’s 55.1mpg.

In other words it goes a long way on a tank of fuel – so you won’t have to keep on stopping to fill up whether you’re on business or on holiday.

The engine also delivers on the company car tax front too. The CO2 emissions are 104g/km which gives a low company car tax banding of 20%.

Audi A4 Avant
The real average: 51.1mpg

So expect to pay £1,276 a year as a 20% tax payer, and £2,552 at the higher rate (that’s £106 or £213 a month respectively).

That’s less in company car tax than rival premium makes such as the Mercedes C-Class estate C220d Sport which has a banding one per cent higher and would cost £1,426 (20%) and £2,552 (40%) a year in company car tax. The official fuel economy at 65.7mpg is not as good either.

So that’s a brief introduction to this highly capable and thoroughly delightful Audi A4 Avant: and a low tax bill that belies its sophistication.

Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra Sport 150 PS

P11D Value £31,895
Monthly business rental (ex VAT) From £n/a (3yrs/30,000 miles)
Road tax (VED) B
Company Car Tax Band 2016/17 20%
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%) £1,276/£106
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%) £2,552/£213
0-62mph/top speed 9.2secs/130mph
Economy – official 70.6mpg
Our economy 51.1mpg
Figures correct at time of posting  August 2016
For latest figures Use our company car tax calculator
Audi A4 Avant
The sharply sloping rear roof mixes the promise of practicality with a crafted execution

 

 

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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