With its direct rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz already available in all major markets, all eyes will be on Audi’s upcoming (B9?) A4, which might make its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show next month instead of the Frankfurt Show later this year.
Three images of an undisguised A4 were released by a Chinese website Autohome.com.CN, depicting the front left corner, facia and centre console. With just a glimpse at the nose, we can already make out the sharper headlamp treatment and more dominant grille. As is the case with the new TT, which we’ve recently driven, Audi’s designers have cleaned up much of the A4’s cabin, with a minimum amount of buttons and a smaller MMI controller located just in front of the gear selector.
The new A4 rides on a modified version of the MLB platform and thanks to the extensive development Audi’s put into making its models lighter with each generation, will weigh in at an average of 100 kg less than its predecessor.
There are plenty of rumours regarding the A4’s powertrain choices, which include a 90 kW 1,4 TFSI entry-level model with Cylinder on Demand technology. A 140 kW version of the same motor will also boast Audi’s first nine-speed transmission. The 2,0 TDI will be a prominent model in the range, but will also feature in the plug-in hybrid A4 e-tron along with dual electric motors for a total outputs for a combined power output in excess of 200 kW.
