2012 Audi A4 Receives Mid-life Facelift

The 2012 Audi A4—in sedan, avant, Allroad Quattro and S4 forms—has been given a facelift, bringing it in line with the rest of the Audi model range. Exterior modifications include a revised front grille, sleek headlamps with LED daytime running lights, tweaked tail lights with LED strips, redesigned front and rear bumpers, and a new dual exhaust system.

The cabin gains an updated infotainment system, a new flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, a brushed aluminium starter button, and a revised trim with more chrome accents and gloss inlays on the steering wheel and door panels. All variants are offered with Audi Drive Select, which gives the driver a choice between Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Efficiency driving modes. A configurable Individual mode is reserved for higher-end variants.

On the handling front, the suspension, specifically the characteristics of the shock absorbers, has been retuned to improve the ride comfort. S-Line variants are equipped with a lower and stiffer sports suspension. Items like dynamic damper control and a sport differential are available as well, but only as options. A new electromechanical power steering that lowers fuel consumption is now standard across the range.

Thanks to the use of automatic start-stop system and brake energy recuperation across the range, fuel economy levels have increased by 11 percent on average, going up to as much as 21 percent. Engines likely to come to Malaysia are a new 170 HP, 320 Nm 1.8-litre TFSI and a familiar 211 HP, 350 Nm 2.0-litre TFSI. A 120 HP 1.8-litre TFSI, a 272 HP 3.0-litre TFSI V6 as well as three diesel engines with varying outputs are unlikely to land here.

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on the Audi A4 elsewhere, though Malaysians will almost definitely get the Multi-tronic continuously variable transmission as the only option. Available with the same manual gearbox or a seven-speed S-tronic double-clutch transmission, the hot S4, currently not sold in Malaysia, is powered by a supercharged 3.0-litre TFSI V6 with 333 HP and 440 Nm, enough to propel it from rest to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, before topping out at an electronically-limited 250 km/h. Enjoy the 2012 Audi A4 official gallery below!