A4 gets four stars for safety

The new Audi A4 has achieved a rating of four stars in Euro NCAP crash tests conducted by the German automobile association ADAC. The Euro NCAP crash test program is the toughest set of procedures for assessing a car’s passive safety protection capability agreed upon by a consortium of automobile clubs and consumer protection organizations in Europe. These tests include an offset frontal crash at a speed of 64 kilometers per hour against a deformable barrier; a 50 kph side crash; and frontal impact against a pole at 29 kph.

According to ADAC, the Audi A4 got high ratings in the side crash and pole impact tests and good performance in the offset frontal crash to earn the coveted four-star rating. "(The Audi A4) is a very safe car and earned its four stars with ease," the ADAC said after the tests.

ADAC cited the A4, which features Audi’s Sideguard head airbag system, as having "the most gratifyingly low head impact values". A standard feature in all A4 variants, the Sideguard head airbag system protects passengers against head injuries using a virtual curtain of airbags that will deploy and cover the entire side window area from the A pillar to the rear compartment in case of collision.

ADAC also commented that the A4’s "seat structure helped to prevent any penetration of the occupant’s survival zone". "The A4 demonstrated its true qualities when struck from the side at 50kph. The rigidity of the body shell and the combined performance of the side and head airbags both made a major contribution to the result," ADAC added.

ADAC concluded that the Audi A4 "is currently one of the strongest contenders for the elusive fifth star," something that has not been achieved by any car in its class.

Meanwhile, Audi AG supplied 250 Audi A8 cars to chauffer organizers and participants of the 58th Meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund held in Dubai last month. Of the 250 fully equipped A8 saloons, 68 were of the long-wheelbase version, while 10 were armor-plated variants designed to protect "high risk" VIPs against terror attacks. Shipped more than 6,000 kilometers from Ingolstadt to Dubai, the A8s were powered either by an 8-cylinder 4.2-liter or 3.7-liter engine.

Professional Audi drivers trained select drivers, which included members of the Dubai security forces, on how to drive the Audi A8s safely in convoy and in emergency situations.

In the Philippines, Audi vehicles are exclusively distributed by Auto Prominence Corporation with showroom and service facilities located at 2326 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City.