The latest generation Audi A4 is new from the ground up and takes up the mantle of sportiest saloon in the mid-size category thanks to its winning combination of sharp design, exceptional engineering and an efficient, yet sporty engine line-up.

Pricing and specification for Australian vehicles is yet to be announced. However, Audi Australia’s managing director, Mr Joerg Hofmann, says the new A4 will cement Audi’s reputation for strong performance.

“The all-new A4 will be a great addition to our range. It offers a superb combination of stylish design, sophisticated technology, precise balance and handling and, of course, it will offer an excellent alternative for luxury car buyers when it arrives here next year,” Mr Hofmann said.

“We expect the arrival of this new model to continue the exceptional growth to-date of Audi in Australia.”

In Australia, the new A4 will be available with a choice of two petrol and two TDI engines at launch and a starting price of around $50,000 - $55,000 for the A4 1.8 TFSI variant. A sporty 3.2 FSI, fuel-efficient 2.0 TDI and 2.7 TDI will round out the range at launch 'down under'.

This latest A4 model boasts expressive design. The highly precise and technical character of its styling clearly confirms Audi’s leading position in this field. Compared with the previous model, the designers have altered the proportions to provide a new, sporty impression. The front overhang is shorter, the bonnet and wheelbase distinctly longer.

At an overall length of 4.70 metres, the new A4 is a large saloon with a substantial, powerful road presence.

Its body is significantly more rigid and safer than the previous model and also distinctly lighter, thanks to intelligent weight-saving.

Inside the new A4, the ambience is spacious and full of light, as would be expected in a much larger model. It embodies the traditional Audi strengths including a distinguished appearance, no-compromise high-quality workmanship with close attention to detail and logical, intuitive controls.

A whole series of high-tech optional extras taken from the luxury class is available to enhance the interior still further, from the MMI operating system, acknowledged as being superior to its competitors, to the automatic air conditioning with three-zone control.

In the safety area too, the brand sets new standards: the airbags and seat belt force limiters work together even more effectively to protect the occupants better than ever before.

Internationally, the new Audi A4 is being launched with a range of refined, powerful engines, covering a power-output range from 105 kW to 195 kW. All engines use the direct fuel injection principle - FSI technology for the petrol engines and the common-rail system for the TDI units. With their smooth running and impressive flow of power, the engines in the new A4 are a source of pure driving pleasure.

Importantly, the engines also use distinctly less fuel than the corresponding units in the previous model. Fuel consumption has been lowered by an average of 13 percent for the petrol engines and six percent for the TDI units.