IGNORE the same-again styling - this Audi A4 is an all-new car, tooled-up and ready to take the fight to Jaguar's new XE, BMW's revised 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, writes William Scholes.
Thanks to a new platform, the A4 is now up to 120kg lighter than the outgoing car and up to 21 per cent more fuel efficient.
There's the usual wide range of engine options, with four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel units producing between 148bhp and 268bhp. A highlight is a 2.0-litre diesel with a sub-100g/km CO2 output.
Gearboxes are a mix of six-speed manual, seven-speed double-clutch and eight-speed automatic.
Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, a smartphone interface, three-zone climate control and a 7-inch colour multimedia screen.
Audi says the new A4 is "more powerful, more efficient and more intelligent" and that it is ahead of its "peers in terms of infotainment and assistance systems".
The A4 Avant gets a bigger boot, growing to 505 litres from the current car's 490 litres. With the rear seats folded this grows to 1,510 litres, up from 1,430 litres. An electric luggage compartment cover and electric tailgate are standard equipment.
Importantly, Audi says driver enjoyment has taken a "great leap forward" with the new car.
The new A4 saloon and Avant models will be available to order in Northern Ireland later this summer, and deliveries of the saloon are scheduled to begin towards the end of the year.
