It seems Audi wasn’t completely satisfied with the mildly updated A4 unveiled in June last year. And while we believed that Audi India was running behind its target to replace the ageing A4 with the refreshed one, we now know the reason for that delay. In less than a year after unveiling the refreshed A4, Audi has introduced another facelift of the compact executive sedan. And, as you can see, the cosmetic changes this time around are more striking than before. Even the powertrain options have been upgraded to feature electrification, albeit in a mild form.
To bring the sedan’s looks in line with its current design language, Audi has fitted it with a new front face with redesigned headlamps, a wider and sleeker Singleframe grille design and a new front bumper. At the rear, the taillamp enclosures look similar to the outgoing model and the lower end features minute design tweaks in the reflectors and the exhaust outlets. Inside the cabin, the almost unchanged layout features an updated MMI system which can be controlled via a large 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. A fully-digital instrument cluster and head-up display are available as optional extras.
The biggest change by a mile is in the powertrain department. At the time of launch, which will happen in Europe later this year, the re-facelifted Audi A4 will come with three 2.0-litre TFSI engines ranging from 150PS to 244PS. All three will feature a 12-volt mild-hybrid system. There will be two types of diesel engines on offer – a 2.0-litre with 191PS and a 3.0-litre with 244PS. The range-topping 3.0-litre TDI engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech, producing 347PS, will be offered only with the S4 – a direct rival to the Mercedes-AMG C 43.
As standard, all variants will come with an automatic transmission. The list will include 7- and 8-speed units. Entry-level ones will be front-wheel-drive only, while Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system will be available in higher-spec versions. The S4 will come with an 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive and sport suspension as standard.
Now that the A4 has received a more substantial mid-life update, Audi India will be lining it up for a launch before the end of 2019. We should get the mid-range petrol and diesel versions. Once launched, it will renew its rivalry with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the upcoming new BMW 3 Series.
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