My apologies to those happy campers at Pilanesberg, near Sun City, who thought I was out slumming when I arrived there in an Audi A4 3.2 quattro with a boot full of camping gear.
We wanted to go camping but testing the Audi was high on the agenda so we decided to mix work and play. And a fine combination it turned out to be, despite the satellite navigation first directing us on a circular route.
The A4 competes with the BMW 3 Series BMW and Mercedes-Benz C-Class; the Audi's R349 500 is on a par with the 330i at R353 000 and the C280 7G-Tronic at R339 000.
But the Audi comes with the benefit of permanent all-wheel drive and that means sure-footed handling, especially under slippery road conditions.
It certainly provided peace of mind when travelling through a serious rainstorm on the way to the Pilanesberg.
Ultimately the success of the A4 will probably depend on the desirability factor - this vehicle signals to the world that you have arrived. But BMW and Mercedes-Benz may have the edge with the average motorist who has been taught from day one that a Bavarian or Stuttgart vehicle is the ultimate accessory.
Which is a pity; the new Audi is a superb package, as good as or even better than its competitors. It's very much an iron fist in a velvet glove with understated elegant looks while the big, single-frame grille hints at the raw power of the FSI V6 engine lurking under the bonnet.
The front-end styling has design elements of other new Audi models such as the A8 6.0 quattro, the A6 and the A3 Sportback. Restyled clear-glass headlights with a sweeping bottom edge add to the new look.
Our test vehicle came with an optional S line exterior trim package (R16 500) that included a special grille with S line emblems, sports front bumper, rear spoiler integrated into the boot, door skirts and a sporty-looking diffuser insert at the rear.
The DVD-based navigation was also an optional extra, known as Navigation Plus, offering three-dimensional graphics on a colour LCD screen. It's one of the most user-friendly on the market and entering a destination was particularly easy.
But for some reason it insisted on taking us off the National road and routing us through Rustenburg on the way to the Pilanesberg, before putting us back on the highway.
No slouch
The A4 is quick off the mark thanks to its 188kW V6, although the quattro system slows it down fractionally on takeoff. It pulls cleanly through the power band to a governed 250km/h with a compete lack of fuss or noise.
The clutch takes up very quickly and we had difficulty at first making smooth changes from first to second under hard acceleration. We soon become accustomed to this, however, and thereafter gear changes were smooth and slick.
Cruising is effortless and the engine's superb flexibility, thanks to the 330Nm of torque, means easy overtaking without a downshift. Drivers looking for a visceral road experience and an aural symphony may feel that the A4's smoothness and the muted hum of the V6 result in the driver feeling slightly detached from the car.
The Audi delights in fast sweeps, remaining stable while the electronic power steering loads up at higher speeds for better directional stability. The steering has a solid feel, responsive and not too light.
Revised suspension
Revisions to the gearbox layout have allowed the Audi boffins to move some heavy components further behind the front axle for better weight distribution while the revised suspension soaks up the bumps and ripples, inspiring confidence thanks to the superb feedback from steering and chassis.
The A4 easily handles gravel roads; if you really want to experience the all-wheel drive find a fast section of gravel with undulations and some hairpin bends - the ones where the bends are so tight that the Audi does its impression of a dog chasing its tail. You'll have an idiotic grin pasted on your face for a while.
The cabin has an upmarket feel, comfortable and quiet with little road noise intruding. The fascia is immaculately laid out with aluminium inserts and inlays.
A raft of safety features provides ease of mind with six crash bags, including two-stage front, side and curtain bags and active head restraints.
Stability and traction control and anti-lock brakes ensure that the Audi doesn't stray over the solid lines.
Pamper features
The multi-function steering wheel is easy to operate, while pamper features such as dual-zone air-conditioning, remote-controlled central locking and power windows are standard.
Adaptive xenon headlights that let you "see" around corners are an extra-cost option. We found the rain and light sensor to be a boon on long trips as they could be relied upon to provide light when needed while the rain sensor coped with everything from a light "monkey" drizzle to a steady downpour without our input.
Head and legroom are generous, height and reach-adjustable steering column ensure a comfortable driving position. The 460-litre boot swallowed a six-man tent, folding camp chairs, sleeping bags, cooking utensils and an assortment of personal gear.
SUMMARY
The A4 is immensely competent in all respects and will appeal to the status-conscious who want a complete package.
Sportier drivers may feel that the smooth and fuss-free 3.2-litre version lacks charisma and might want to opt for the hairy chested S4 quattro.
Audi A4 3.2 quattro specifications:
Engine:
Water-cooled, transverse V6 displacing 3123cc with direct fuel-injection and with four valves per cylinder.
Maximum power/torque:
188kW at 6500rpm / 330Nm at 32500rpm.
Transmission:
Six-speed manual gearbox with all-wheel drive.
Suspension:
Four-link front suspension with upper and lower wishbones and tubular anti-roll bar in front, and independent, trapezoidal-link rear suspension with anti-roll bar.
Steering:
Power-assisted rack-and-pinion with height and reach adjustment on the steering column.
Brakes:
Anti-lock, discs all round, ventilated in front.
Wheels/tyres:
Alloy 17" rims with 235/45 tyres.
Dimensions/mass:
Length 4586mm, width 1772mm, height 1427mm. Mass 1540kg.
Capacities:
Five passengers, 63 litres fuel, 460 litres boot.
Performance:
0-100km/h - 6.4secs. Top speed 250km/h (limited).
Standard items:
Rain and light sensor, multi-function steering wheel, dual-zone air-conditioning, remote central locking, CD/radio sound system, electric windows and side mirrors.
Safety:
Six crash bags, ABS, electronic stability program and stability control.
Warranty:
One-year unlimited distance, five years or 100 000km maintenance plan.
Service intervals:
According to service indicator, depending on operating conditions (maximum two years).
Price:
R349 000.
- Test car from Audi SA.