The last A4, which debuted for the 2009 model year, was luxurious and good-looking but was never really up for cage fights with the 3-Series, never mind aggressive newcomers like the Lexus IS and Cadillac ATS.
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Audi A4 2017 |
On first drive, this A4 isn't either, but it does creep closer. To start, it's 70 to 100 pounds lighter than comparable U.S.-spec models of the outgoing car, even though it's slightly longer and wider, thanks mainly to aluminum replacing steel here and there.
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Audi A4 2017 |
The new model, the ninth iteration of a vehicle line that has also been known as the Audi 80, Audi Fox, and Audi 4000, has moved to the Volkswagen Group’s modular-longitudinal MLB Evo architecture, but it still closely resembles the outgoing model—at least at first glance.
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Audi A4 2017 |
About 35 pounds were lost in the suspension, brakes, and steering, and
another 30 pounds were shaved from the body structure.
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Audi A4 2017 |
Even the steering
wheel was asked to shed a few ounces; its frame is now made of
magnesium.
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Audi A4 2017 |