The next generation of the Audi A4 (B10) is expected for 2023. There will not yet be a complete switch to electric drive here, but Audi wants to offer combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars side by side, reports Autocar, citing insiders.
As usual, the A4 should be available as a notchback sedan and as a station wagon (Avant). As far as the drives are concerned, for the first time, there should also be a purely electrically powered model (probably an A4 e-Tron) and a plug-in hybrid version of the RS 4 in addition to the conventional versions, according to the article.
The conventional versions (and probably also the plug-in hybrid) will continue to be based on the Modular Longitudinal Platform (MLB), albeit on a modified version of the same. The successor to the current RS 4 with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 is said to be a plug-in hybrid, as Audi Sports Managing Director Oliver Hoffmann has already confirmed. The electric motor is intended to increase performance beyond the 450 hp of the current RS 4. The article does not state whether the combustion engine used will be a four- or six-cylinder.
The electrically powered A4 is set to compete against the Tesla Model 3 and the BMW i4. The basis will be the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), i.e. a purely electric platform. The A6 e-Tron, which has already been presented as a study, the electric Macan from Porsche, and the practically identical Audi Q6 e-Tron will also be based on the same basis.
Visually, the new electric A4 will hardly differ from its conventional sister models – apart from the closed grille. According to Autocar, however, the electric A4 will be a five-door hatchback with a large hatch, so it’s more of an A5 e-Tron than an A4 e-Tron. That would correspond to the procedure for the A6 e-Tron, which is an A7 e-Tron with a large tailgate.
The electric A4 is scheduled to start in 2024, i.e. in the year after the market launch of the other motorizations. You should be able to choose between a rear engine (A4 e-Tron) and a Quattro version with two electric motors (A4 e-Tron RS). The latter should get 350 kW and 800 Newton meters of torque. There was no information about the range. For orientation: The A6 e-Tron should cover over 700 kilometers with its 100 kWh battery.
Four electric models are currently available from Audi or will be available soon. The range starts with the compact SUV Audi Q4 e-Tron (including the coupe-like version Q4 e-Tron Sportback). One floor up there are the mid-range SUVs Audi e-Tron and Audi e-Tron Sportback. Finally, the four-door Gran Turismo Audi e-Tron GT is offered, the equivalent of the Porsche Taycan.
