The Audi A4 Avant has been spotted testing ahead of the estate’s expected unveiling alongside the saloon later this month.
Despite being heavily disguised, the estate variant shows some of the design cues already seen on the prototype saloon earlier this year, including the angular LED headlights found on the new TT.
The next-generation A4 range will mirror the current line-up for bodystyles. Up first will be the new saloon itself, which will then be followed by the Avant spied here.
Reports suggest an Allroad version will follow later in the year, while successors to the Audi A5 coupé, Cabriolet and Sportback are also planned for 2016.
Also in planning are S4 versions of the aforementioned bodystyles, while an RS4 model is again in development as an estate-only model.
Saloons and estates will be seen in public for the first time at the Frankfurt motor show in September after their late June reveal away from a motor show. Autocar understands that the new A5 coupe, which insiders refer to as having “sports car styling”, will join them at the show.
Underpinning the new A4 range, which is currently Audi’s biggest line-up globally, will be the new aluminium and steel MLB platform, seen first on the Q7 SUV but developed very much with the A4 at its heart. The new MLB platform, which has been a huge investment for Audi, is lighter and more adaptablethan the current structure and allows for more spacious interiors. Models as compact as the A5 and as large as the Q7 will be built on it.
The engine range for the new A4 will include 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder units, the latter or which is an all-new 187bhp/236lb ft powerplant returning a claimed 56.5mpg combined in prototype form.
Four-cylinder turbodiesels in 1.6 and 2.0-litre capacities will be offered and will include sub-100g/km versions. Three-litre V6s will be offered in both petrol and diesel forms. Petrol-electric and diesel-electric plug-in hybrids are also planned.
Six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmissions will be offered alongside standard front-wheel drive and optional quattro all-wheel drive.
The styling will be in line with the latest look seen on the new TT and Q7, as opposed to Audi’s next-generation styling seen on the Prologue concepts and due to be seen first on the Q1 and A8 from 2016.
Inside, the big news will be the adoption of Audi’s digital dashboard, as seen on the TT and Q7.
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Photocopier design
New A4
Cant put my finger on it!?
I know...
The last two generations of both A4 and A6, probably. I cannot tell any of them apart at a glance anymore. I also cannot understand why Audi bother with the camouflage on these prototypes. It only draws attention to them, whereas, undisguised, almost nobody would notice it wasn't the current model. I remember, prior to the launch of the current A4, there was talk that the new MLB platform would transform the handling...it didn't.
USP