Audi A4 and A4 Avant refreshed with new look for 2018
The Audi A4 executive saloon and estate has been with facelifted with sportier looks all round
Audi has revealed a refreshed A4 for 2018, responding to the recently facelifted Mercedes C-Class and gearing its three year old executive saloon up to take the fight to the next-generation BMW 3 Series, which will arrive at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Unlike the new C-Class, which eschews a design revision in favour of new engines, tech and updated infotainment, the changes applied to the A4 and A4 Avant are purely cosmetic, with only design alterations on the billing. As such it's more a model year update than a full facelift, and you’ll have to wait a little longer for an A4 with a 48-volt mild hybrid system.
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Audi says that the basic SE and Sport A4s have been revised with more striking looks thanks to a revised front and rear bumper design, new side skirts, and a new finish on the side air inlet grilles. Avant versions of these cars gain a spoiler too, while A4 Sport models now sit on 18-inch alloy wheels.
The new A4 S line (pictured) has been injected with a much sportier look. The revised front apron gains pronounced, angular vents, with the car’s front end now much more reminiscent of the flagship 444bhp RS 4 Avant thanks to a more prominent lip blade at the very bottom of the bumper. It retains a classic slat style grille over a honeycomb pattern, however. Its wheels swell to 19-inches in size as standard.
It’s a similar story around the back end of the car, though the new rear bumper is much less aggressive with a smaller diffuser and squared off exhaust exits. These replace the oval shaped pipes on the old car. Alloy wheels sized 16 inches to 19 inches will be available, with new designs offered. In the cabin, we can’t spot any real changes.
A new S line competition equipment package (shown in red) has also been revealed, though it won’t be offered to UK customers. This consists of an even sportier S line bodykit with a larger bootlid spoiler and unique 19-inch alloy wheels. A new blue paint colour called Turbo Blue has been added to the A4's colour palette.
Specification changes for UK cars include sat nav as standard on all models, previously optional on SE cars. Similarly, the basic five-inch monochrome TFT display wedged between the standard analogue dials has been replaced by a seven-inch colour unit, and a new multi-functional steering wheel appears too.
Sport cars gain four-way lumbar adjustment for the driver and front passenger seats plus power-folding door mirrors as standard. These changes are also applied to S line and Black Edition cars, alongside auto high beam assist.
Prices for the revised A4 will arrive soon, with order books opening this summer. First UK deliveries will take place towards the end of 2018
Read how the Audi A4 fares head to head against the Jaguar XE and BMW 3 Series…
