Making its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the new A4 is built on the latest version of Audi’s MLB platform and brings slightly larger dimensions of 4.73m long and a wheelbase of 2.82m in sedan guise.

Boot space has also increased and brings 505 litres – said to be class leading – for the Avant rising to 1,510 litres with the rear seats folded down and loaded to the roof. The electric luggage compartment cover and electric tailgate are standard equipment, with an electronic tailgate that can also be closed by gesture control also available as an option.

Despite its increased dimensions, the model’s weight has been reduced significantly – by up to 120kg depending on the engine – thanks to its new lightweight construction.

The new Audi A4 and A4 Avant will launch with seven engines – three TFSI and four TDI – in Europe, with fuel economy improved by up to 21% whilst CO2 dips below 100g/km in the 2.0 TDI ultra sedan. All engines are Euro6-compliant, with diesels including a standard 12-litre tank or an optional 24-litre tank for the required AdBlue additive.

Petrol models include the 150hp entry-level 1.4 TFSI which replaces the previous 1.8 TFSI and offers 4.9l/100km on the NEDC cycle and 114g/km. The line-up also includes a 2.0 TFSI offered with 190hp or 252hp.

For the diesels, a four-cylinder 2.0 TDI will be available with 150hp or 190hp. Both units will also be available as ‘ultra’ versions. The lower-powered A4 ultra with manual transmission has an NEDC fuel consumption of 3.7l/100km and CO2 emissions of 95g/km while the 190hp version consumes 3.8l/100 km and emits 99g/km CO2.

The 2.0-litre diesels are joined by a 3.0 TDI in 218hp and 272hp versions.

An A4 Avant g-tron – the second model after the A3 Sportback g-tron that customers can run on compressed natural gas (CNG) or Audi e-gas – will also follow later in markets with the appropriate infrastructure.

TFSI engines and the 2.0-litre TDIs will come as standard with a new six-speed manual transmission. Audi’s new seven-speed S tronic is available for all engines except the top TDI and is standard equipment for the 3.0 TDI diesel with 218hp. There’s also a redesigned eight-speed tiptronic available only with the 3.0 TDI diesel with 272hp. 

For the most powerful TDI, Audi will offer the sport differential on the rear axle as an option from 2016. 

The A4 also brings newly developed five-link front and rear axles and electromechanical power steering as well as optional dynamic steering with two settings: sports or comfort.

New technologies include the latest Audi MMI display and control concept as well as the Audi virtual cockpit, Audi Matrix LED headlights, the Audi smartphone interface, a Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound, Audi phone box with wireless charging, head-up display, and new Audi connect services.

Driver assistance systems include the predictive efficiency assistant to help drivers to save fuel, Audi active lane assist and Stop&Go adaptive cruise control. Also available are parking assist, rear cross-traffic assist, exit warning, collision avoidance assist, turn assist and the Audi pre-sense systems, along with camera-based traffic-sign recognition.

Standard kit builds on the previous model and includes xenon headlights, keyless go, a Bluetooth interface, Audi drive select for the 190hp model and upwards, and a 7-inch MMI colour display.

The two new Audi A4 models will be available from dealerships in Germany and other Western European countries as of this autumn.