Audi reveals facelifted A4 line-up

AUDI Australia has confirmed that the facelifted A4 mid-size car will enter showrooms in the second quarter next year, ushering in fresh looks, a new-generation infotainment system and – maybe – mild-hybrid powertrains.

A4 now features the same exterior design language as the German brand’s latest models, including the A1 light hatch and A6 large car, with this evident through its segmented LED headlights and tail-lights, which are standard across the range.

The headlights can now be optioned with LED Matrix technology, which also bundles in high-beam assist. This set-up has slowly filtered down from Audi’s flagship models, the A8 limousine and R8 supercar.

A4’s signature Singleframe grille is noticeably flatter and wider than before, in keeping with the recently released second-generation A7 Sportback large sedan, while the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned with a horizontal theme.

Attention has also been paid to the side profile, which now has heavy creasing above the fenders and a lower shoulder line in between them. Five exterior styling themes are offered overseas.

Changes inside are physically less drastic than those outside but arguably more important, with the 8.3-inch central display making way for a 10.1-inch touchscreen with acoustic feedback,which results in the elimination of the former’s rotary dial and shortcuts.

This unit is powered by Audi’s new-generation MMI Touch infotainment system, which supports natural voice control and several connected technologies, including Wi-Fi hotspot and live traffic for the satellite navigation.

In Europe, three of A4’s turbocharged engines will come with a 12-volt mild-hybrid system that the marque claims reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.3 litres per 100 kilometres in everyday use, but it is unknown if any of these will head Down Under.

What is more likely, though, is that Audi Australia will opt against offering S4 TDI, which was revealed earlier this month, having declined the same engine in A5, A6 and A7 Sportback.

S4 TDI partners a 255kW/700Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 with a 48V mild-hybrid system and an electric-powered compressor (EPC), or electric turbocharger.

Instead, S4 TFSI is expected to soldier on with its 250kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 that launches it from standstill to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds in sedan form and 4.9s in Avant wagon guise. Either way, top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.

Meanwhile, similar changes have also been made to the off-road-focused A4 Allroad wagon.

Sales of A4 have improved this year, with 502 sold to the end of April – a 13.8 per cent improvement over the 441 units in the same period of 2018.

Nonetheless, A4 still trails Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class (2465 units, +17.9%) and BMW’s 3 Series (774, -23.6%) in the $60,000-plus mid-size-car segment.