Newly-launched Audi A4 not a must-buy car

By John Aglionby

I was once told by a careers adviser that I should develop a "unique selling point", to make me stand out from the crowd and, therefore, more likely to be snapped up by employers.

Unfortunately, the Audi A4, launched here last week, does not really have one.

I cannot deny that I enjoyed driving it, although one would expect to for Rp 145 million (US$60,000), but there was no abiding memory that would make me rush out and buy one before its competitors, the Mercedes C-Class and the BMW 323i.

The most impressive feature was the braking.

The 5th generation, dual-circuit with diagonal split antilock brake system stopped the car extremely smoothly, without the slightest hint of a skid, even when reducing from high speeds.

The brake pedal was extremely sensitive, which provided further reassured that it would be me, rather than the car which would cause any accident, and the hand brake felt effective and did not get in the way at all.

Trying to get up to those high speeds was a different story.

While the A4 easily leaves most other cars on Indonesian roads trailing in its wake, I expected a little more, particularly from a standing start.

Audi says the five-speed automatic-transmission gearbox will adjust to each driver's individual driving style but even after a couple of hours I found that there was a bit of a lag in changing from first to second and second to third.

The engine performed much better in the upper gears, and once in top, it was a pleasant drive.

This is helped by the very effective suspension, an independent four-link system with virtual steering axis, tubular roll bar and double-tube gas-filled shock absorbers, that made Jakarta's crater-strewn roads and bumpy elevated toll roads seem much flatter than they actually are.

Two other features added to the enjoyment. The smaller than average steering wheel made one feel that one was driving a neat, sleek car rather than a juggernaut and the engine noise in the cabin was extremely low, much quieter than the Mercedes, enabling one to enjoy the stereo/CD player -- which comes as standard.

The driving position is curious. While the seat is more than wide enough and the headroom adequate, there is little support for one's neck and head.

However much I adjusted the headrest and seat back, I was never as comfortable as I would have like to have been.

Also slightly disconcerting was the lack of space for one's left foot.

It felt as if Audi had taken out the superfluous clutch pedal but then also blocked up most of the space that one nevertheless needed. Sitting in the back seats was much more comfortable.

Better designed is the front-passenger side of the car.

Audi has included an air bag but also managed to retain a large glove compartment for all the odds and ends that inevitably accumulate in a car.

If one takes into account the size of the trunk as well, then a big advantage of the Audi is the amount of luggage space.

But these small pluses do not add up to make the A4 a must-buy car.

I would definitely try the competitors first before making a decision to buy one.