New Audi A4 2014 release date and rumours

Exclusive pictures and details of the new Audi A4, due for release in 2014

The new Audi A4 saloon will go on sale in 2014, and as well as getting a radical new look – shown in our exclusive images – the new car will be much lighter and more efficient than at present, and finally take the fight to the BMW 3 Series as a genuine driver’s car.

Our images reveal a potent V6-powered S4, but all models will benefit from a bold new design, which marks a significant change for the A4 and A5 families.

Bookmark this page because we'll be updating it regularly with the latest Audi A4 news and rumours.

Alexander Pesch, head of technical project management for Audi, told us: “The next A4 will move the game on. The jump from today’s car in terms of design and efficiency will be really big.”

Slimmer headlights and larger air intakes will sit either side of a much sharper, six-sided grille. It’s a toned-down version of the three-dimensional front end seen on the Crosslane Coupe Concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

Elsewhere, there are sharp creases, distinctive LED light clusters and similar proportions to the current model. Key to the new A4’s improved fuel efficiency and more agile handling will be a weight saving of around 100kg. This is possible because the car will be based on the VW Group’s advanced MLB platform (bigger brother of the MQB set-up used by the new A3 and VW Golf), which will underpin everything from the A4 to the new VW Touareg in 2016.

As with MQB, MLB will be made from strong hot-formed steels, allowing thinner chassis components to be used – and reducing weight dramatically. It will also enable Audi to adopt a variety of materials, so high-spec models could use aluminium or carbon fibre to cut weight further.

As for engines, there’ll be big steps forward in hybrid tech, with two petrol-electric A4s likely. First up is a development of the A3 e-tron’s front-wheel-drive plug-in system, teaming a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor integrated into the DSG box.

The other hybrid is a more potent e-quattro system, with a petrol engine up front and two powerful electric motors on the rear axle, giving a different take on Audi’s trademark quattro 4WD.

The S4 will feature a reworked version of the current turbo V6, with around 350bhp, while the flagship RS4 Avant could ditch its 4.2-litre V8 in favour of a smaller turbo V6 offering almost 500bhp. More powerful but less thirsty 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI petrol engines, plus 2.0 TDI diesels, will again make up the lion’s share of sales.

And the A4 saloon is just the start of the new family. Between 2014 and 2016, it’ll be joined by an A4 Avant, plus an A5 Coupe, Cabriolet and Sportback, using the same engines and underpinnings.

For an alternative review of the latest Audi A4 Saloon visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/a4/63593/new-audi-a4-2014-release-date-and-rumours#ixzz2aW72hOyW