Meet the New Audi A4

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI (Credit: © Audi)

Audi is continuing on its path of revising its entire lineup, and the latest model to receive an update is the A4. As is typical with Audi, the new A4 will first launch in Europe this year, then it will arrive in the U.S. in 2016 as a 2017 model year.

The first thing you’ll notice when looking at the new A4 is its visual differences when compared to the current model. Audi has been slowly moving its new design language across its entire brand, and the A4 is the latest to receive this treatment. It includes new headlights, a wider and more angular grille, updated taillights, and revised bodylines.

For the new model year, the A4 has grown to 186.2 inches long, making it 1.1 inches longer than the 2015 model. With this growth comes a lengthened wheelbase of 111 inches, which is 0.4 inches longer than the 2015 A4. Despite this growth, the A4 is up to 120 kg (265 pounds) lighter than the 2015 model.

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI (Credit: © Audi)

This redesign also results in a significant improvement in aerodynamics, as the A4 sedan drops from 0.31 Cd to 0.23. The Avant model, which will not be offered in the U.S., falls to 0.26 Cd. These figures help increase fuel efficiency and reduce wind noise.

The cabin of the new A4 is also completely redesigned, with the focus being on the tablet-style 8.3-inch screen resting atop the dashboard, the updated steering wheel, and the optional 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster. Also new inside the cabin is 4G LTE Wi-Fi, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities.

In the U.K., the A4 and A4 Avant will hit the market with an outrageous seven available engines, including three TFSI and four TDI units. While Audi didn’t dive into all of the specifics of the engines, it did mention that the power output would range from 150 PS (148 horsepower) to 272 PS (268 horsepower). In the current-generation U.K.-spec A4, the power ranges from 136 PS (134 horsepower) to 245 PS (241 horsepower). A g-tron natural-gas-powered A4 will arrive in select markets.

Audi A4 2.0 TFSI (Credit: © Audi)

On top of these new, more powerful engines, the new A4 is up to 21 percent more fuel efficient, and the A4 2.0 TDI Ultra drops below 100g/km in CO2 emissions.

The A4 will have three available transmissions, giving buyers plenty to choose from. There will be the tried-and-true six-speed manual transmission, the seven-speed S tronic auto, and an eight-speed S tronic auto. The automatic transmissions will help reduce fuel consumption with a new freewheeling feature.

There is no mention of price, nor does Audi mention when it will reveal the U.S. specs for the new Audi A4. Stay tuned for more.