The existing B8 generation Audi A4 has somewhat played second fiddle in the entry-level luxury car segment, especially after the advent of the latest-gen Mercedes C-Class – a car that has a set a considerably high benchmark in the segment. Audi though is looking to fight back with the all-new B9 gen A4.
First unveiled at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the new A4 has now arrived at the Auto Expo and will soon go on sale here in the Indian market. It’s not only wider and longer than the car it replaces but also a good 120kg lighter. In typical Audi manner, the A4 boasts of an evolutionary design rather than a completely new one. The front-end has gotten sharper and now features a horizontally slatted grille, new headlights and a bumper as well. Like the front, the rear-end too has undergone a noticeably big update with the help of full-LED taillights and a larger bumper. All of these changes accumulate to help the new A4 keep in line with Audi’s new design direction.
Inside, however, there is a stark difference in the design and the quality has moved up a scale as well. Gone is the asymmetrical design and in its place, the A4 now gets a much cleaner looking dash. As a result, there are less number of buttons and the UI for the MMI infotainment system is simpler as well.
The new A4, outside India, is being offered with a range of 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. As for the Indian market, there will be one 4-cylinder petrol and a diesel engine. Interestingly, there will be a high power 6-cylinder diesel engine also. All these engine options will be paired with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The segment the Audi A4 caters to has gotten quite competitive off late. Firstly it was Mercedes which introduced the much improved C-Class and more recently, BMW with the 3 Series facelift. What’s more, Jaguar India, for the first time, is also in the contention with the newly launched XE. The new A4, then, will need to be really good to fend off the ever rising competition.
