With the Audi A4, we discover what makes a luxury vehicle unique.

All of us have fantasies about buying a fancy car someday, whether it be for our parents or for ourselves. However, whereas a good luxury car used to cost around Rs 30 lakh a few years ago, it now costs around Rs 60 lakh. The question that comes up in this situation is: Should I not choose a Toyota Fortuner instead? These days, vehicles up to Rs 30 lakh come equipped with a good number of luxury features, if not the Fortuner. Consequently, why make the additional financial investment?

We’re going to investigate the specific distinctions between a luxury and a regular car today. The Audi A4, the most economical vehicle in the car lineup, will help us with this task.

Looks

Modern automobiles strive to catch your eye with their distinctive designs. On the other hand, the A4 is unique. It gently asks to be acknowledged in its class rather than demanding attention. Any car can achieve the shape and design, but this luxury vehicle offers exceptional quality control and excellent quality.

First, let’s talk about its paint finish, which is unattainable for regular cars. Next are its substantial body panels and meticulous detailing, like the way the door handles naturally unfold and the way the mirrors fold in close to the body. Although LED headlights are widely used these days, the Audi’s lights are more admired for their brightness and throw. The tail lamps’ design is particularly distinctive. But the wheels have a somewhat boring appearance.

The most impressive aspect, though, is the consistency. Overall, the panels have clean, accurate fit and shut lines. No situation exists where one gap is excessively large and the other is excessively small. These disparities are frequently seen in mass-market automobiles, possibly not from Hyundai but from Tata or Maruti. Even though their designs have changed, the A4’s precision is what sets it apart as a luxury vehicle.

Interiors

The A4’s key is equally high-end as the vehicle. Its weight, texture, and finish support its classification as a high-end automobile key. It has options for remote keyless entry, auto-folding ORVMs, and a gesture tailgate, even though it’s a sedan. The door handles have very attractive lights on them at night.

What distinguishes a hotel room rated three stars from one rated five stars? They differ in quality, but both have beds, pillows, kettles, towels, and bathroom accessories. A luxury car’s interior is comparable to a five-star hotel, whereas mass-market automobiles are more like two- or three-star establishments.

This is reflected in the interior of the car. The door pads, handles, and even the door pockets are all coated in a soft-touch material that covers the entire dashboard. The steering wheel’s leather wrap is really well made. Even though regular cars now frequently have leather wraps and soft touches, it would be like comparing an Alka Yagnik song to a Neha Kakkar tune.

The piano black finish is another option; it feels tougher and deeper than standard car paint. Furthermore, there’s something ASMR about using the switches!

Features

A car priced at Rs 30 lakh may come with additional features like ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated seats. Even though an entry-level luxury vehicle might not have these features, the A4’s does, and they provide excellent quality and experience.

The A4 has an LED instrument cluster measuring 12.3 inches and having clarity comparable to a TV. Everything is very clear in terms of map arrangement, logic, and integration with all readouts. A 10-inch touchscreen with an elegant black theme goes well with this. Its use has gotten even simpler with the updated smartphone interface. Its dedicated volume and track knob are especially appreciated.

These two screens are free of glitches and lag. What’s there functions flawlessly, and unlike some of the more recent Mahindra and Tata vehicles, it is not being beta tested on consumers.

The A4 also has a sunroof, powered front seats, a wireless phone charger, a superb Bang and Olufsen sound system with a subwoofer, and ambient lighting with 30 colors. It also has a 3-zone climate control system, with two zones for the front seats and a separate one for the rear seats.

There are additional specifics. You have the ability to lock and extend the center armrest to your preferred position. The ORVMs’ auto-dimming function makes sure that you are not distracted by oncoming vehicles’ high beams. The A4 is a luxury car because, as I have stated, even though it has fewer features.

Rear Seat

There are some mixed feelings about the backseat. The seat back is fairly upright, there are nets hidden in the pockets on the back, and there are no charging ports or outlets other than one 12V socket. Still, there’s good space, quality, and support. With its large armrest, temperature control, and sunshades, it also transforms into a luxurious vehicle.

To top it off, I really like this armrest. Its well-designed cup holder and phone storage area ensure security. When cup holders are positioned in the center of regular armrests, it can be uncomfortable. That issue won’t arise here. The attention to these little details results in a luxurious experience in the rear seats.

Boot

With plenty of room for luggage, a sedan and boot space are a match made in heaven. Nonetheless, the fully carpeted floor, which stops any rattling or noise from the objects, distinguishes it as a luxury car boot. Additionally, the opening is well-managed and fulfilling.

Engine And Performance

A 2-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine is included. Yes, with 190 PS and 320 Nm of power, it is strong. It takes just 7.3 seconds to reach 100 kmph with its 7-speed transmission.

But its refinement is what strikes me as most impressive. This engine is virtually vibration-free in addition to being quiet. It costs money to achieve this level of smoothness, but the brochure doesn’t mention this. Whether you’re traveling through a city or passing someone on a highway, you won’t sense the engine straining inside.

It delivers power with astonishing smoothness. In the city, driving is easy and passing is a breeze. With a slightly forceful pedal push, the vehicle accelerates quickly. Its effortlessness and refinement set it apart from other cars when driving.

Ride And Handling

Nowadays, it’s a common misconception that a car can either handle well or be comfortable on uneven surfaces. Possessing both attributes is difficult. Luxury vehicles refute this idea. The A4’s advanced suspension system provides exceptional comfort. You won’t experience any jolts, good or bad on the roads. Furthermore, it moves admirably over bumps and speed breakers. You can actually feel what a comfortable suspension is like while you’re sitting in this car.

It’s also spot on in terms of handling. The A4 does not sway when navigating corners at high speed. The car maintains excellent control and the steering feels crisp. It has no annoying body roll, so you can enjoy road trips to hill stations.

Here, parking is also quite simple. Simply locate a parking space and use the required steering inputs to let the car park itself when it has the self-parking feature activated. It differs from ordinary cars in that it strikes a balance between comfort, handling, and parking ease.

Discretionary Premium

Even with all of this, brand value is a reality that must be recognized. Similar to luxury automobiles, clothing, or timepieces, a premium is associated with the brand. Luxury product manufacturers are able to charge more because their clientele can afford to spend more. For them, having luxury becomes a desire.

Therefore, the brand is important to Audi, BMW, and Mercedes customers, and it’s frequently connected to their social or professional image. Because of this, well-known individuals in the Bollywood industry, leaders in the banking or stock markets, well-known attorneys, and prosperous businesspeople frequently drive expensive vehicles because they draw attention to themselves. Their business benefits when they appear successful.

It’s mostly about the show in this case, so titles like “A4”, “3 Series,” “GLC,” or “Q5” might not mean much. However, it becomes crucial to respond, “Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Porsche,” when someone asks in a meeting, “What do you drive these days?”

Verdict

It becomes clear after a few days with the car just how different luxury cars are. Their price is in your emotions, not in what you see. They differ from mass-market vehicles in terms of the paint job, driving package, cabin quality, and feature experience. A luxury car amplifies the feeling of having made a significant purchase, elevating it to a higher and more exclusive status in life, whereas an expensive car may give you that feeling every day. You enjoy its features and space more in such a car than in any other.

This also applies to the car. It’s a sedan that helps you understand the value of quality over quantity and what distinguishes a luxury vehicle. The A4 is an excellent choice if you want to venture into luxury for the first time.

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