The 2007 Audi A4: One of The Safest Cars Of 2007
The 2007 Audi A4 as been named by Forbes as one of the safest cars in 2007. This is primarily because of its extensive list of active safety features to help avoid accidents. In fact, it has performed well on all crash tests completed on vehicles in the United States. Of course, among of the most important safety features are its revised brake system and electronic brake distribution.
In federal government crash testing, this generation of A4 achieved four out of five stars for protecting both the driver and front passenger in frontal crashes. In a side impact crash tests, it earned five out of five stars for protecting front seat passengers, and four out of five stars for protecting backseat passengers. The A4 received four out of five stars for its ability to prevent a rollover. It is important to note that, while these tests were performed on a 2006 model, the car tested was mechanically the same as the 2007 A4.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the A4 sedan its highest rating, “good,” in both frontal offset and side impact tests. The car earns an “acceptable,” the second-highest rating, for protecting occupants in rear impacts. These high scores led the IIHS to name the A4 sedan a “Top Safety Pick” in its class for 2007. Shoppers should note that these scores apply only to the sedan. A4 Cabriolet convertibles have a separate set of scores.
Audi’s Electronic Stability Program with integrated Traction Control performs well on skid tests, and includes a unique feature designed to keep the brakes performing well in wet conditions. Motor Trend explains, “This ESP system features a brake disc wiping function that keeps the rotors dry on wet roads even if the brakes haven’t been applied for a long distance. The brake linings are pressed against the disc at regular intervals, although the driver never knows or feels it.”
To enhance driver awareness during night driving, the A4 includes bixenon headlights that actually turn their beams with the car’s steering. Moreover, it also includes a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System that warns the driver of dangerously underinflated tires.
Sedan versions of the A4 include a full suite of air bags as standard equipment. Occupant-sensing front air bags in front of both driver and front passenger inflate only if the seat is occupied, and can inflate at varying speeds depending on occupant size and crash severity. Roof-mounted head curtain air bags protect all passengers in side impacts. In addition, seat-mounted side air bags, which protect passengers’ torsos in a side-impact crash, are standard in front and optional for rear seats. Cabriolet models of the A4 must use a different air bag system, since the crash dynamics of convertibles are very different than those of sedans.