Photo: Tobias Buttner
The Audi A4 is one of the most popular premium cars in the world, from China to North America. The facelift for the B9 generation was introduced last year, which means Audi is probably looking to make an all-new model.
Based on reports from two years ago, Volkswagen wanted to make the new A4 on the MQB platform, which it uses for anything from the little Golf to the Atlas. That would have definitely impacted the way it handled or what performance versions they offered, though it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing in terms of sales.
In a way, the A4 is connected to the MQB already. Unless we're mistaken, its European 2.0 TDI is co-developed with the one in the Golf, while the infotainment screen is now the MIB3. But new ports from late 2019 said the next A4 had been approved with current MLB at its core.
The main difference is how the engines are pointed. All MQB cars have the cylinders in a row East-to-West, while MLB models like the A6 or Q7 have them North-to-South. However, for some reason, Audi sends the power to the front wheels (mostly), while almost every other manufacturer wants to shuffle it to the rear in that situation.
But as we've said in the beginning, the A4 is a very solid performer, so they probably don't need to rock the boat. Not only the platform but also some of the styling has been locked in for this all-new model. We've heard the look at the front of the car was decided last year, and today we're sharing the first rendering, which is by Tobias Buttner.
Obviously, the A4 looks a lot like its little brother, the A3. But that's one of the newest Audi models, so we should treat it for what's to come.
As far as the model variety is concerned, we expect less of it. Audi will cut the number of slow-selling models by about half. We suspect this means the A5 Sportback will be killed while the A5 Coupe and Cabriolet will become members of the A4 family again. On top of this, an electric model will be added, as is the case with almost every popular car in China. Just check out the electric BMW 3 Series, for example.
In a way, the A4 is connected to the MQB already. Unless we're mistaken, its European 2.0 TDI is co-developed with the one in the Golf, while the infotainment screen is now the MIB3. But new ports from late 2019 said the next A4 had been approved with current MLB at its core.
The main difference is how the engines are pointed. All MQB cars have the cylinders in a row East-to-West, while MLB models like the A6 or Q7 have them North-to-South. However, for some reason, Audi sends the power to the front wheels (mostly), while almost every other manufacturer wants to shuffle it to the rear in that situation.
But as we've said in the beginning, the A4 is a very solid performer, so they probably don't need to rock the boat. Not only the platform but also some of the styling has been locked in for this all-new model. We've heard the look at the front of the car was decided last year, and today we're sharing the first rendering, which is by Tobias Buttner.
Obviously, the A4 looks a lot like its little brother, the A3. But that's one of the newest Audi models, so we should treat it for what's to come.
As far as the model variety is concerned, we expect less of it. Audi will cut the number of slow-selling models by about half. We suspect this means the A5 Sportback will be killed while the A5 Coupe and Cabriolet will become members of the A4 family again. On top of this, an electric model will be added, as is the case with almost every popular car in China. Just check out the electric BMW 3 Series, for example.
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