Development for the new generation of the Audi A4 is well underway, and our spy photographers caught the first camouflaged prototype during testing before its rumored debut in 2023. The model comes with the Avant bodystyle and looks like it’s wearing the production body revealing a few design details. The new A4 Avant has a similar silhouette to the current model, but appears to be significantly sportier, almost looking like a baby RS6. Especially at the front, the A4 looks to be less conservative than its predecessor with a pair of aggressive headlights, a wider Singleframe grille, and vertical inlets on the bumper.
The toned-up front and rear fenders add to
the powerful stance of the vehicle in combination with the black five-spoke
wheels of this prototype. The taillights are not the production units but
judging from their outline and the shape of the tailgate, the rear end of the
A4 Avant should be quite stylish. The new A4 is expected to ride on an evolved
version of the current MLB architecture. Audi has confirmed its engine range
will be more heavily electrified, with mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid
variants. In terms of ICE, an updated version of the turbocharged 2.0 TFSI
four-cylinder petrol engine with higher output is rumored, alongside a reworked
2.0 TDI diesel. The RS4 performance flagship is also expected to be
electrified.
A fully electric A4 e-tron is also on the
cards, but it is not clear if this will sit on the electric variant of the MLB
platform (e-tron, e-tron Sportback) or switch to the more modern PPE
architecture (Q6 e-tron, A6 e-tron) which is the most plausible scenario
according to rumors. The Audi A4 will rival the likes of the upcoming
facelifted BMW 3 Series, and the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class
which was unveiled earlier this year. All three German contestants are offered
in both sedan and estate forms and will be the last generations offered with
ICE powertrains before the forthcoming sales ban.
