The modern executive meets the family man
13 Apr 2016|14,611 views
The Audi A4 offers the working adult hassle-free connectivity while on the move
What constitutes the ideal weekday car?
Importantly, it must have connectivity functions, and serve the needs of the driver in terms of being connected to his or her work. This is especially important if the job requires a lot of running around town.
With that being said, a quick glance around any CBD carpark will reveal the usual suspects - executive sedans like the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and perhaps the Lexus IS Turbo. The handsome new Audi A4, which I have chosen, would definitely fit right in.
However, what sets the A4 apart from the rest of the pack is what it can offer to the working adult - hassle-free connectivity. Too many of these new cars have overcomplicated infotainment systems that require diving deep into various menus, and that frustrates me. The plug-and-play element of the Audi smartphone interface is particularly appealing as it simplifies operation and makes it easier to remain connected at all times.
Take sat nav as an example. With most cars, you would have to waste around five minutes in the navigation menu typing directions before moving off. The A4 does not have sat nav, and instead allows you to use your phone's Maps instead (Apple Maps in the case of my iPhone). So all I have to do is to pre-program the route on my phone, hop in the car, plug in and set off. Other functions, like reading and replying messages, making phone calls, playing music or searching for a fancy restaurant to take clients to, can all be done using Apple's Siri.
The A4 feels less like an additional apparatus, but an extension of myself (and my phone, I suppose). It simplifies the transition between office and car, and for a career adult that's constantly on the move, the Audi A4 fits like a well-tailored suit.
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The Kia Carens' mix of flexible functionality and simple serenity makes it the ideal weekend car
With the long, painful work week over, it's important to spend time with the family.
It should have a good engine, to handle the inevitable bits of 'hauling' on the weekends. And with the high-tech get-up of the A4, my weekend car needs to have a comfortable and uncomplicated interior.
All those things in mind, it leads me to a simple and logical conclusion - a Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the consummate family car. And among the plethora of options available, I have chosen the Kia Carens.
MPVs have a reputation for being unsavoury boxes on wheels, but the Carens is far from that. It's a crisp and stylish-looking car that disguises its seven-seat capacity well. I am particularly fond of its smiling fascia, which will cheer anyone up after a dreary week at work. And once you get inside, you'll find that it's generously spacious, which is well-suited for a growing family. The 1.7-litre diesel engine is surprisingly refined and pleasantly punchy, which means that it's a good car to venture up to Malacca to feast on some chicken rice balls. The type of fuel also means that it will be lighter on the pockets to run, too.
Perhaps above all else, the Carens reflects what I value most out of the weekend - simplicity and serenity. No matter how hairy things may get with the children or how many errands there are to run, the refinement of the Carens makes every journey a pleasant one. It's the ideal sort of car to head out with the family for a nice Sunday picnic, before driving home as the sun sets over the horizon.
What more can a man ask for?
The Audi A4 offers the working adult hassle-free connectivity while on the move
What constitutes the ideal weekday car?
Importantly, it must have connectivity functions, and serve the needs of the driver in terms of being connected to his or her work. This is especially important if the job requires a lot of running around town.
With that being said, a quick glance around any CBD carpark will reveal the usual suspects - executive sedans like the BMW 3 Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and perhaps the Lexus IS Turbo. The handsome new Audi A4, which I have chosen, would definitely fit right in.
However, what sets the A4 apart from the rest of the pack is what it can offer to the working adult - hassle-free connectivity. Too many of these new cars have overcomplicated infotainment systems that require diving deep into various menus, and that frustrates me. The plug-and-play element of the Audi smartphone interface is particularly appealing as it simplifies operation and makes it easier to remain connected at all times.
Take sat nav as an example. With most cars, you would have to waste around five minutes in the navigation menu typing directions before moving off. The A4 does not have sat nav, and instead allows you to use your phone's Maps instead (Apple Maps in the case of my iPhone). So all I have to do is to pre-program the route on my phone, hop in the car, plug in and set off. Other functions, like reading and replying messages, making phone calls, playing music or searching for a fancy restaurant to take clients to, can all be done using Apple's Siri.
The A4 feels less like an additional apparatus, but an extension of myself (and my phone, I suppose). It simplifies the transition between office and car, and for a career adult that's constantly on the move, the Audi A4 fits like a well-tailored suit.
The Kia Carens' mix of flexible functionality and simple serenity makes it the ideal weekend car
With the long, painful work week over, it's important to spend time with the family.
It should have a good engine, to handle the inevitable bits of 'hauling' on the weekends. And with the high-tech get-up of the A4, my weekend car needs to have a comfortable and uncomplicated interior.
All those things in mind, it leads me to a simple and logical conclusion - a Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV), the consummate family car. And among the plethora of options available, I have chosen the Kia Carens.
MPVs have a reputation for being unsavoury boxes on wheels, but the Carens is far from that. It's a crisp and stylish-looking car that disguises its seven-seat capacity well. I am particularly fond of its smiling fascia, which will cheer anyone up after a dreary week at work. And once you get inside, you'll find that it's generously spacious, which is well-suited for a growing family. The 1.7-litre diesel engine is surprisingly refined and pleasantly punchy, which means that it's a good car to venture up to Malacca to feast on some chicken rice balls. The type of fuel also means that it will be lighter on the pockets to run, too.
Perhaps above all else, the Carens reflects what I value most out of the weekend - simplicity and serenity. No matter how hairy things may get with the children or how many errands there are to run, the refinement of the Carens makes every journey a pleasant one. It's the ideal sort of car to head out with the family for a nice Sunday picnic, before driving home as the sun sets over the horizon.
What more can a man ask for?
Photos by Low Fai Ming
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