Audi’s majorly-facelifted A4 sedan receives numerous improvements, here’s what we know with regards to the new model and Singapore

Ingolstadt, Germany – CarBuyer has more details about the new 2019 Audi A4 for Singapore, which is expected to launch in early 2020. 

As we reported earlier, the new model is a major product update for the mainstay of the Audi range, and aims to keep it fresh against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (likewise majorly updated) and new, seventh-gen 3 Series. 

The previous A4 was one of the first cars to debut MLB Evo, and there’s no change here, but one major addition to the drivetrain technology is a new mild hybrid system, as part of Audi’s broad electrification plan to improve efficiency across its entire model range.  

All versions coming to Singapore will use this technology, which Audi says helps save up to 0.3L/100km, depending on the model. 

Engine variants now with mild hybrid

Currently confirmed for Singapore is the Audi A4 40 TFSI, which has 190hp, 320Nm of torque from a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine which drives the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
 

Presumably this 2.0-litre is similar to the one seen in the current model, the efficiency-biased Audi A4 2.0 ultra model.

The A4’s mild hybrid system will be based on 12-volt technology, rather than the more complex 48-volt (48V) systems seen on its bigger brothers. It uses a belt-driven alternator-starter for smooth startup, although this doesn’t add any energy to the drive unit. A small lithium-ion battery is located in the boot, along with a conventional 12V starter battery.

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Higher voltage systems are more crucial the higher the level of electrification as they add electrical efficiency and weight benefits. For instance, full hybrids have 240V power systems, and electric cars have systems up to 800V, such as the forthcoming Porsche Taycan.

We’ve seen the widespread adoption of mild hybrid tech in recent times, not just in cars like the larger Audi A6, A7 and A8 range (which all have 48V mild hybrid systems), but also Mercedes-Benz C-Class and CLS Class, and even the new Mazda 3.

Other engines under consideration for Singapore are also based on the 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder unit. The A4 35 TFSI has 150hp and 270Nm.

The most powerful 2.0 model, the A4 45 TFSI, has 245hp and 370Nm of torque, quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Efficiency figures are 6.8L/100km and 154g/km of CO2. 

If the A4 35 and A4 45 are sold in Singapore, it would make the new A4 lineup broadly similar to the old one, although the previous 150hp model was sold with a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, the A4 1.4 TFSI.

Audi has not made any mention of smaller engine choices for now, but it’s very likely the 1.4 will not be making a return in this iteration. In Singapore, the 2.0 outsold the 1.4, because a higher VES penalty for the 1.4 shrunk the price-gap between two models.

S4 to remain gasoline powered

Singapore will also receive the S4, with a 3.0-litre V6 single-turbo engine, with the same 354hp as before, quattro all-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic gearbox. The complete performance and efficiency figures have yet to be revealed, and it does not have the mild hybrid system.

It’s unlike the European S4, which will have a 2,967cc V6 turbodiesel engine with 347hp and 700Nm of torque (0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds, top speed limited to 250km/h) and also has Audi’s electric turbocharger technology to reduce turbo lag.

Design updates

The A4 receives a big change in the looks department, that much is obvious from the front end. It shows off the current Audi design language as first laid out in the Audi Prologue concept car, and first put into production in the A8 luxury limousine, and subsequently the A6, A7, and Q8. 

That encompasses the front and rear lights with interior ‘ribs’, a wider and lower ‘singleframe’ grille. The signature ‘quattro blisters’ are now separate from the shoulder line, which Audi exterior designer Helmut Jung says gives the car a more dynamic, sporting figure.

The rear end is very obvious homage to the larger Audi models, with a new light bar and emphasis on the horizontal, including a new chrome strip and flat, square exhaust surrounds. 

A sportier S Line package with more aggressive lines and gloss black elements is available, although as typical of Audi, it’s offered as standard on a sportier model rather than a customer option.

Interior and tech

Like the A6, A7 and A8, the A4 now ditches the rotary controller / touchpad combo (now a storage space) for a pure touchscreen interface, in the form of the new 10.1-inch infotainment system (running a 1,540 x 720 pixel resolution), up from 7.0-inches and 8.3-inches before. Powering the system is VW Group’s third-gen infotainment system module (MIB 3).

Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument display now comes with new customisation options (there was only one default choice of layout/theme before).