Audi has unveiled a facelifted version of its popular A4, with a new stylish look, mild-hybrid technology and an improved touchscreen being the highlights of the updated model.
The A4 adopts Audi’s new design cues – as seen on models such as the Q8 and R8 – and therefore comes with a wider ‘Singlegframe’ grille, and new LED lights, which are now a standard feature. High spec versions will come with Matrix LED lights.
Despite it looking like a very mild facelift, Audi says that it’s only the bonnet, boot lid and roof that have been carried over from the previous iteration.
Buyers now have a greater choice when it comes to interior colours, while the cabin also benefits from a new 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen system, which replaces the functions of the previous setup that were operated solely with a rotary dial.
The satellite navigation system also comes with a new ‘traffic light’ function that can connect to a central traffic light database so that a driver can choose a speed to match the next green light, and improve efficiency. While not available from launch, the German manufacturer has said the tech will be rolled out in selected European cities.
As with the S4, new mild-hybrid technology is used extensively across the range, with just two older diesel engines (a 187bhp 2.0-litre unit and a 228bhp 3.0-litre) not coming with the fuel-saving feature. Two new 2.0-litre diesel engines are also offered – producing 134bhp and 161bhp, alongside three 2.0-litre petrol engines, which produce 148bhp, 187bhp and 242bhp.
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The new model aims to compete with the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Jaguar XE, all of which have been heavily updated since the fifth generation A4 debuted in 2015. An incredible 7.5 million examples have been sold since the model was first introduced in 1994.
Full UK prices and specs are still to be announced, with the facelifted A4 set to go on sale in September.
