Frankfurt 2015: New Audi A4 coming to India in mid-2016

With the Mercedes-Benz C-Class setting new standards in its class, Audi has been under pressure to up the ante to stay in the game. The Ingolstadt-based luxury car maker recently launched the new iteration of the A4 in the international market recently and is expected to bring it to Indian shores by mid-2016. 

Now in its fifth generation, the Audi A4 isn’t just a facelift but an entirely new model. Based on a completely new platform, the new A4 sports a five-link fully independent front and rear configuration. Audi says that the ride and handling have now been improved too thanks to a newly designed electromechanical steering. 

Aside from that, the new Audi A4 is now 120kg lighter and 21 per cent more efficient than its predecessor. Standard features on the international models include 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights with LED DRLs, Audi smartphone interface, Audi drive select, three-zone climate control and 7-inch colour MMI monitor. The Audi patented Matrix LED headlights are expected to come as optional fitment in India too. 

In the international market, the New Audi A4 is offered with varied engine options right from a 1.4-litre TFSI petrol to a 3.0-litre V6 diesel. However, India will not get all of these options. We expect Audi to bring in the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit and the popular 2.0-litre TDI diesel. Both these engines will come mated to Audi’s 7-speed S Tronic unit. 

Meanwhile, Audi also has plans of increasing localisation in India and says there are strong possibilities of engine production on our shores. If that happens, we could expect Audi to bring in the A4 at an extremely competitive price point. 

Moreover, by the time the Audi A4 is launched, Jaguar would also have entered the segment with its entry-level offering the XE. The battle in the luxury car market is sure going to get interesting.