INGOLSTADT: It's been four years since Audi's mid-range was given a facelift. Now the maker has announced a major upgrade that will take its A4 range into the electric age later this year.
For the time being, the new engines won't manage pure electric drive. But when the mid-range model series relaunches later this year after a major overhaul, Audi will be relying on mild hybrid technology.
Sitting at the top of the family is the 347-hp S4 sports model, now available in Europe as a diesel. With the help of a three-litre, six-cylinder engine and an electric compressor it can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 4.8 seconds.
The top speed is 250kph, and Audi puts fuel consumption at is 6.2 litres (162 g/km CO2).
The new, updated family launches in Europe with four more diesel engines - three of them are four-cylinders with a displacement of 2.0 litres and 136hp, 163hp or 190hp and one uses the V6 of the S4, but is limited to 231hp.
For the petrol models, there are currently only three versions of a four-cylinder engine with 150hp, 190hp or 245hp, which is also 2.0 litres in size. In addition to all that, Audi says it's also planning five engines with a mild hybrid system.
Beyond changes to engines, Audi has touched up the outside of the models, sharpening the shape of the LED headlights and adding more contoured edges above the bumpers.
Audi has also redesigned the cockpit and mounted a larger display over the dashboard, which is now a touchscreen.
Audi has named its prices for Europe, starting at €33,600 (RM156,000) for the saloon, followed by the Avant estate from €35,250 (RM163,000) and the Allroad Quattro off-road from €50,100 (RM232,000).
