Audi revealed last night the first images and details of the new B9 generation of the A4 in both Sedan and Avant body styles; a truly significant car that looks totally insignificant. The 2016 Audi A4 is pitched as “completely new” and it really is. It just doesn’t look it.
The new A4 comes with revised headlights, grilles and bumpers, and it is longer and bulkier than its predecessor as well. But one would struggle to tell the 2016 model apart from any other A4 that went before. We are not saying the A4 looks bland or anything, but it’s not something you would remember, either.
You will have a better chance of noticing the 2016 Audi A4 is a completely new car when you drive it. It is 120 kg lighter than the previous model, up to 21 per cent more fuel efficient, and comes with a range of great new petrol and diesels engines, plus redeveloped six-speed manual, seven-speed S tronic and eight-speed tiptronic transmissions. So it is fair to say the car is more spritely.
Available engines as launch will include a 1.4 TFSI with 150 PS, a 2.0 TFSI with 190 PS or 150 PS, a 2.0 liter Ultra diesel unit with either 150 PS or 190 PS, and a 3.0 liter TDI diesel with 218 PS or 270 PS. Later on, there will be a g-tron hybrid variant as well, running on CNG.
Equipment-wise, the standard kit on 2016 Audi A4 includes 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights with LED DRLs, Audi smartphone interface, Audi drive select, three-zone climate control and 7-inch colour MMI monitor. Options include Audi virtual cockpit, predictive efficiency assistant, traffic-jam assist, rear cross-traffic assist, collision avoidance assist and turn assist.
