New Audi A4 here soon

It can drive itself in slow traffic, travel further and faster on less fuel and will be offered with completely digitised instrumentation.

Audi's ninth-generation (B9) A4 sedan may not look significantly different, but the German car-maker is confident its global top-seller will bring more customers into showrooms – and give the rampaging Mercedes C-Class a bloody nose while it's at it.

The brand-spanking new A4 sedan will make landfall in Australia in February 2016, with the wagon (Avant) to follow in March, and while the details are still being sorted out, the local importer is eyeing off several drivetrain variants, spanning FWD, AWD, petrol and diesel.

Bigger, smoother and more sophisticated than before, the Mk9 A4 is being pitched as the most advanced vehicle in its class, with more than 30 electronic driver assistants including traffic jam assist, whicht can accelerate, brake and steer the car in heavy traffic at speeds of up to 65km/h.

As well as semi-autonomous driving tech that 'reduces the driver's task', the new A4 brings simpler but equally useful technology such as wireless (inductive) phone charging, head-up display and native iOS and Android smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The new A4 is one of Audi's most connected cars yet; it can be locked and unlocked remotely via smartphone and the heating can be remotely toggled too, with more functionality expected down the track.

In terms of locomotion, Audi reckons the new A4 range is up to 21 per cent more efficient and 25 per cent more powerful. The engine line-up is not iron-clad for the local market but Audi Australia is considering an entry-level 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine (110kW/250Nm) that uses 4.9L/100km to open the ledger.

The full list of turbo-petrol (TFSI) and turbo-diesel (TDI) powertrains being considered for Australia are as follows:

The range-topping, stump-pulling 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel developing 200kW/600Nm is hugely powerful and economical, making it the hero model until the new 260kW/500Nm V6 turbo S4 arrives in Australia late in 2016.

Three gearboxes will be offered: a six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch 'S tronic' auto and an eight-speed Tiptronic auto, the latter exclusively for the six-cylinder diesel's big stomp.

Audi's newest mid-sizer will have a tough job of dethroning the Mercedes-Benz C-Class from its leafy position at the top of the sales tree in Australia, where it often struggles to keep up with demand.

But Audi expects to give the Benz a run for its money wil the A4's all-new chassis promising improved ride quality while delivering better dynamic response via new five-link independent suspension front and rear.

The car is up to 110kg lighter than its predecessor, improving both performance and efficiency, yet Audi claims more head room for front occupants and more leg room for those in the rear, while a larger 480-litre boot won’t hurt the sedan's appeal either.

Based on the same MLB Evo platform architecture as Audi's critically acclaimed new Q7, the new A4 measures 4726mm long and 1842mm wide and has a slightly longer wheelbase too -- up 12mm to 2820mm.

Australian specifications remain unconfirmed, but the local importer says satellite-navigation, MMI touch and an 8.3-inch display will be standard – although the uber-cool virtual cockpit is unlikely on entry-level models.

Other standard features will include front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, Audi pre-sense city which includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and blind spot monitoring, three-zone climate control with a digital rear display and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Some of the options available will be include fully automated Matrix LED headlights and a high-end Bang & Olufsen 3D stereo system.
Head over to the reviews section to see how we scored the new Audi A4.