Revised A4 breaks cover

First images and information have been revealed on the new Audi A4 models, boasting sharper, more sporty stying, a range of powerplants and all-new technology across the board. Arrival of the new models Down Under looks likely in the second quarter of next year, but in the meantime, let’s take a look at what’s on offer from the next generation of the all-conquering Audi A4.

It’s no mystery why the Audi A4 has been the brand’s most successful model ever with its combination of styling, performance and luxury appointment and the new models are set to build on that proud heritage in every area.

Most obvious at a glance in terms of change is the new styling, which adopts Audi’s new design language with its wider, flatter Singleframe grille and the muscular wheel arch treatment which pays homage to the quattro genes.

Sharp curves accentuate the front and rear styling giving the A4 an undeniable presence on the road, while distinctive headlights (LED headlights are now standard) give the A4 its own light signature. The top-of-the-line headlights feature the Matrix LED technology with fully automatic high beam and customers will be able to select from basic, advanced and S equipment lines as well as having the option of a new Audi A4 allroad quattro and both S4 Sedan and S4 Avant models in the new lineup.

Inside too the styling is completely new with a large MMI touch display to control the new operating system which offers a contemporary experience not unlike a smart phone. The MMI touch display with acoustic feedback replaces traditional controls and also offers free text input and natural-language voice control. 

The new A4 also features Audi connect and Audi connect plus portfolio featuring a host of online services, such as Car-to-X services, which take advantage of the swarm intelligence of the Audi fleet. This means functions such as online traffic sign and hazard information, as well as the on-street parking service and traffic light information are all available on board, and a new function that will see racing to catch a green light a thing of the past.

By networking with the urban infrastructure, the car receives information from the traffic light central computer via a server so that the driver can choose their speed to match the next green light. The instrument cluster displays a personal speed recommendation as well as the remaining time to the next green light whenever the driver is waiting at a red traffic light. This function is part of the Audi connect package and is being rolled out in stages in selected European cities. 

The Audi connect services emergency call and service come standard, with the free myAudi app connecting the customer’s smartphone seamlessly to the car. The Audi connect key option lets the customer lock/unlock the vehicle, and start the engine using a compatible Android smartphone. The personalisation, another digital feature, allows up to 14 myAudi users to store their preferred settings in individual profiles. 

In addition to the many ‘inbuilt functions’ on the A4, customers will also be able add three infotainment functions after purchase should they desire.

These can be booked for a one-time, one-month test phase after which the customer can elect to purchase for a further month, a year, or permanently. Should they decide the new function is not for them, it will simply deactivate at the end of the month trial.

The new MMI features a new, third-generation modular infotainment platform MIB 3 delivers phenomenal computing power, working with an equally new, spatially separate communication box that bundles all connectivity tasks – such as telephony or the Audi connect services – and incorporates the Wi-Fi hotspot. The optional hardware modules include the Audi phone box and the Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System in the front. 

Three instrument cluster variants are available, with two partially analog driver information systems and – in conjunction with the MMI plus – the all-digital Audi virtual cockpit plus. A head-up display is also available.

At launch in Europe, Audi will offer six turbocharged engines, ranging in power output from 110kW  in the A4 35 TFSI up to 255kW in the Audi S4 TDI. All engines deliver better than the limits of the Euro 6d-temp emission standard. 

At launch three engine variants will feature a mild-hybrid system (MHEV) based on 12 volts, which reduces fuel consumption while improving comfort.

In terms of suspension customers can choose between standard setup and the sport suspension and there are also two adaptive suspensions. The first is the comfort suspension with damper control, which reduces the ride height by 10 millimetres and offers superb ride comfort, while the other is the sport suspension, either with or without damper control, which is lowered by
23 millimetres. 

Both controlled suspensions are integrated into the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. The same applies to the steering, with dynamic steering, the automatic transmission and the throttle valve available for customers as an option. Audi drive select allows the driver to determine which of up to five profiles these systems use. 

Of course no new A4 range would be complete without the addition of S4 models, and performance enthusiasts will not be disappointed. Both an S4 Sedan and S4 Avant are offered, each with a V6 TDI powerplant producing 255kW and 700Nm of torque. This enables the S4 Sedan TDI to rocket from zero to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h. 

An electric powered compressor is integrated into a new 48-volt main electrical system, which also incorporates the mild-hybrid system and provides even more efficiency potential than the MHEV system in the 12-volt electrical system on the A4 models. The 12-volt subsidiary electrical system is connected to the 48-volt main electrical system via a powerful DC/DC converter. For the first time a powerful 48-volt belt alternator starter is used in the S4 TDI as the heart of the mild-hybrid system with a maximum recuperation power of up to 8kW when braking.

A compact, air-cooled lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 0.5kWh, located under the luggage compartment floor, acts as an energy management centre. The mild-hybrid system on the S models has the potential to reduce customer fuel consumption by up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres. 

An eight-speed tiptronic and the quattro permanent all-wheel drive make up the drivetrain and if desired, an optional sport differential is available to actively distribute power between the rear wheels. 

The S sport suspension is standard and optional S sport suspension with damper control can be added to further improve sportiness. 

The S4 and the S4 Avant will also be available with the 3.0 TFSI producing 260kW and 500Nm of torque from 1370 to 4500rpm. This sees the S4 Sedan TFSI accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds – while the S4 Avant is just two tenths of a second behind. 

Of course if your tastes run more to all terrain versatility, the new Audi A4 allroad quattro fits the bill perfectly, with its increased ground clearance (raised 35 millimetres).

It offers optional allroad-specific suspension with damper control for greater comfort and dynamism while its underbody protection allows gives peace of mind when the going gets rough and with the additional offroad mode on the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, the driver can choose from six profiles in the A4 allroad quattro. 

Once again it sports a distinctive look which includes wheel arch trims and larger wheels than the standard A4 Avant, while its wider track (six millimetres at the front and 11 millimetres at the rear) give it a distinctive stance and great offroad stability. 

Storage is significant with 495 litres or 1495 litres with the rear seats folded down and cargo loaded to the roof and the rear hatch and the luggage compartment cover are electrically operated as standard. 

The new Audi A4 is expected to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2020, with full details on the model line-up, pricing and specification announced closer to launch.