2017 Audi A4 advances self-driving in the name of fuel efficiency

Audi released European details and photos of its new generation A4 model, which will launch in the US next year as a 2017 model. The new car takes advantage of a wide range of Audi technologies, building in some features we have seen in other models and some completely new features.

Fuel efficiency appears to be a main driver in the new A4. Audi continues to fit the A4 with a range of four cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. One example, the 2.0TFSI Ultra, creates 188 horsepower and an estimated 49 mpg, while a 2-liter diesel engine achieves an estimated 63.6 mpg. The US Audi  models will be offered with 2-liter turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines.

 

However, it seems unlikely that Audi would drop output much below its current 220 horsepower gasoline offering in the US. Audi will offer more details about US engine options later this year.

Adding to fuel economy is what Audi calls its Predictive Efficiency Assistant. This optional feature works in conjunction with adaptive cruise control, automatically adjusting the set speed for terrain, curves in the road and speed limits. Audi notes that this system can increase fuel economy by 10 percent. This type of technology is also a building block towards a fully self-driving car.

Further on its self-driving capabilities, the A4 will offer a Traffic Jam Assist feature. At speeds under 40 mph, the car can self-steer, using a forward-looking camera to recognize lane lines. Audi specifies that this system will only work "on well-developed roads when traffic is congested," suggesting that the system will also need to rely on other cars in the vicinity to keep its own position.



Audi has not confirmed whether this system will be offered in the US.
The body style, with its single-frame grille, matches Audi's current model design language. LED headlights will be optionally available. Audi also notes that it has improved the aerodynamics of the body and lowered the weight by over 200 pounds, resulting in fuel economy increases.

 The A4 launches in Europe with sedan and wagon versions. The A4 will launch with a sedan version in the US, followed by an Allroad variant, traditionally an all-wheel-drive wagon. The sedan will come in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive formats.

The cabin receives Audi's Virtual Cockpit, first seen in the new TT. This system replaces the instrument cluster with a large LCD showing virtual gauges, navigation and other information. The display is adjustable, able to highlight appropriate information for the driver.


Although the A3 emerged last year as a new entry point for the Audi brand, the A4 remains an attainable premium-level car. The fuel economy improvements for the new model will increase its practicality, but the vast array of technology will be the star of the show, differentiating it from other premium-level competitors. The Virtual Cockpit in particular is like nothing else on the road, giving Audi a gee-whiz feature for cross-shoppers.

The Predictive Efficiency and Traffic Jam assist features not only increase driver comfort, but serve as a road-going proof-of-concept for the types of self-driving technologies Audi has been developing. In this area, Audi and Mercedes-Benz are in strong competition.
Pricing for the 2017 Audi A4 will likely be announced later this year.