Facelifted Audi A4 breaks cover

The facelifted Audi A4 has been revealed with updated styling, a revised interior, extra technology and a new range of engines. The facelifted A4 will be in direct competition with the new BMW 3 Series, and the Mercedes C-Class and Jaguar XE, both of which have been recently updated. When it arrives in September, the new A4 will be able from around £27,000 in saloon form, with Allroad and Avant estate models also available.

Audi says that the facelifted A4 has been redesigned to the extent that only the bonnet, boot and roof panels are carried over from the outgoing model. At the front is a widened front grille that sits lower and features horizontal slats for SE and Sport trim levels, with the Allroad, S line and S4 variants getting vertical chrome slats. The restyled front bumper sports larger air intakes compared with the outgoing car, with contrasting black or silver accents depending on the trim level.

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All facelifted A4 models get new headlights, with LEDs now standard on all trim levels. More powerful matrix lights are available as an option. The rear of the car receives the same treatment, with a new rear bumper design and restyled rear light clusters.

Further styling changes to the new A4 include cut-lines to the front and rear wings, which Audi says make the car look lower and wider. Additional design cues are also borrowed from the Audi A1 Sportback, such as the slat separating the radiator grille from the bonnet. The new A4 Is slightly larger than the previous model, measuring 5mm wider and 22mm longer.

Inside, the facelifted A4 replaces the previous scroll wheel infotainment control setup with a new centrally-mounted 10.1-inch touchscreen. An updated version of Audi’s optional 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital dial cluster is also featured with a trio of new display interfaces and a head-up display. Similar to the outgoing car, Audi will offer option packages to further upgrade the A4’s interior tech, including optional driver assistance packages.

Engine options for the new A4 include a pair of new turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engines: a 134bhp 30 TDI and a 161bhp 35 TDI. There’s also a 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine badged 40 TDI, with a more powerful 45 TDI 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine producing 228bhp.

Three turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engines are also available, consisting of the 148bhp 35 TFSI, the 187bhp 40 TFSI and the most potent 242bhp 45 TFSI. All of the new engines feature a 12-volt mild-hybrid system and electric compressor helping to lower emissions and improve fuel economy.

The facelifted S4 TDI model sits at the top of the A4 range. It has a 342bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine together with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

Do you want to know more about the facelifted A4’s toughest rival, the new BMW 3 Series? Check out our in-depth review.