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First Drive Review: Audi A4 / A5 / A6 Ultra

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Author: | Updated: 04 Aug 2014 15:48

Audi is taking efficiency seriously with their Ultra range of cars.

Currently available on the A4, A5 and A6 [pictured], the Ultra range is powered by Audi’s 2.0-litre TDI engine that’s been refreshed and optimised until it meets and beats Euro 6 regulations for cleanliness.

Audi's A6 Ultra may not be the most dynamic car in the sector, but the overall package is tough to beat

That means that there’s a common rail injection system that pushes fuel directly to the pistons at 29,000 psi, a variable-geometry turbocharger that reduces lag and improves performance, water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation that reduces dangerous NOx emissions and a particulate filter that helps remove any lingering nasties from the exhaust.

Selective catalyst reduction also means it holds ‘clean diesel’ status.

The end result is an engine that, when placed in the A4 model, can officially return 67.3mpg and emit just 109g/km of CO2.

That puts the car into a BIK band of 17% and leaves a car tax bill of just £20 per year thanks to its band B rating.

Audi A4 Ultra SE Technik - £28,675

Audi's A4 Ultra can hit 62mph in 8.3 seconds

The Ultra engine in the A4 puts out a healthy 161bhp and 295lb-ft of torque, which translates to perfectly acceptable performance figures, and puts it head-to-head with the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics.

The 0-62 dash is dispatched in 8.3 seconds, but the car feels slower than that, thanks to the long gearing that exists to improve economy when cruising.

Approach a hill in too high a gear and you fall out of the power band, necessitating a change of gear. It’s not a major issue but can catch you out occasionally. A light and slick gearbox makes life easier.

Inside, the Audi A4 Ultra is just like a regular A4

Switch the drive mode to ‘Efficient’ and the car becomes reluctant and stodgy, damping the throttle response massively to avoid any undue exuberance. It’s not needed though, such is the economy on offer under normal use; I managed 53.7mpg during my time with the car.

Inside, little has changed between this and the normal A4. Audi’s usual excellent build quality is still in place, and the interior is as classy as it’s ever been.

Equipment levels are reasonable on this £28,675 Technik spec model with leather seats, DAB radio, hard-disk based music and navigation, and parking system. The lack of a USB port grates at this level, although there is a connector for an iPhone 4 or older.

With reasonable performance, high quality, a stylish interior and decent equipment levels, there’s no need to feel that taking the green option is a step backwards.

Audi A5 Coupe Ultra SE - £30,825

The Audi A5 Ultra may be seven years old essentially but it's still a classy car

As stylish now as the day it came out, Audi’s A5 coupe takes the grand touring option compared to BMW’s harder-edged 4 Series coupe.

That means you get a classy and handsome car, despite the years racking up from its 2007 release.

The latest Mercedes C-Class might be getting the plaudits for its interior style and quality, but the A5 runs it remarkably close, and is leagues ahead of the sportier BMW 4-Series.

The A5 Ultra is a sexier mile-muncher than the A4

On the road, it’s a slightly more anonymous affair than the coupe styling might suggest, with little feel through the wheel and handling that is safe and predictable if not particularly involving or exciting.

This is every bit the motorway mile-muncher that the A4 is, but wrapped up in a sexier shell.

The engine is the same as in the A4 Ultra and, as the cars are such a similar weight, all the important figures are the same. That means 62mph arrives in 8.3 seconds, CO2 emissions are just 109g/km and the engine will sip just one gallon of diesel for every 67.3 miles, in theory.

As an alternative to the regular four-door saloons that dominate this sector, and assuming you can live with the practicality issues that a two-door coupe brings with it, then this really is an extremely tempting option for a company car driver.

Audi A6 Ultra S line S tronic - £33,720

The A6 Ultra may be the cheapest in the A6 range, but there’s no sense that this is a budget option

The Ultra derivatives models may be the cheapest in the A6 range, but there’s no sense that this is a budget option.

You get automatic lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control, DAB radio, sat-nav, Bluetooth and much more, while the S line model tested here adds xenon headlights, sports suspension and larger 18” wheels.

Both versions have a superbly designed interior, something Audi is really getting right at the moment.

It also gets a beefed-up version of the engine that sits in the A4 and A5, increasing power output from 161bhp to 187bhp, although torque figures remain the same.

Vague handling is the A6 Ultra's most notable weak point

Combined with the seven-speed gearbox, that means performance is on a par with the smaller and lighter models, with a surprising power surge in the mid-range.

The handling lets it down a little though, the A6 being slightly vague with little steering feel, but without the benefit of excellent comfort. Instead it rides firmly, thumping over imperfections in the road.

That’s probably down to the S line spec with its stiffer suspension. Trade in the sharper styling for the standard SE model and I’m sure that comfort levels would be increased.

At that point, you can guide it along the motorway, knowing that the excellent 64.2mpg economy and huge fuel tank could see you, theoretically, manage more than 1,000 miles between fuel stops.

It may not be the most dynamic car in the sector, but the overall package is difficult to beat, especially from a fleet manager’s perspective.

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