B9 Audi A4 gets a second facelift – revised styling and equipment list; new 12-volt mild hybrid engines

B9 Audi A4 gets a second facelift – revised styling and equipment list; new 12-volt mild hybrid engines

The B9 Audi A4 has been given another facelift, and this one appears to be more substantial compared to the updates the model received last year. Revisions include a new exterior design that showcases the brand’s latest design language, as well as adjustments to the available equipment and powertrains.

The biggest visual change is seen at the front, whereby the A4 now sports a lower and wider Singleframe grille. There’s also a hint of the latest A1, as the slip vent that sits between the bonnet and bumper suggests.

Elsewhere, you’ll spot the redesigned lighting units, now with vertical light signatures, which is another design element seen on recent Audi introductions like the A1, A6, A7 and A8.

While the changes may appear to be limited to the front and rear ends, look a little closer and you’ll notice an entirely new body in white. The character line that linked the lights has now been broken, placing greater emphasis on the car’s wheel arches. This, along with a creased line running through the door handles, were done to ensure the A4 is up to date with its siblings like those mentioned earlier.

B9 Audi A4 gets a second facelift – revised styling and equipment list; new 12-volt mild hybrid engines

All A4 models come as standard with LED headlamps, although they can be upgraded to Matrix LED units for a little extra. The range of equipment lines now only includes basic, advanced and S line, with S models and the A4 allroad quattro having their own distinct look. A new terra grey option has also been added to the now 12-colour palette.

Moving inside, the updates are more subtle, involving mainly the electronic systems. There’s no fancy dual-screen setup here, but there’s a new 10.1-inch touchscreen display that is linked to the MMI plus infotainment system that is based on Audi’s Modular Infotainment System 3 (MIB 3), which is also found in the Q3 and A1.

The previous model’s centre console-mounted click wheel/touchpad has been omitted as a result, leaving you with just another cubby to store items. The Audi virtual cockpit has also been refreshed to match the MMI update, and is one of three available instrument cluster types – the other two are partially analogue versions.

B9 Audi A4 gets a second facelift – revised styling and equipment list; new 12-volt mild hybrid engines

The A4 range will be available with six turbocharged engines when it goes on sale in Europe, including four-cylinder diesel TDI, V6 diesel TDI and four-cylinder petrol TFSI units. All engines are compliant with the Euro 6d-temp standard, with power outputs ranging between 150 PS and 347 PS.

The latter is applicable to the S4 TDI models, which packs a 3.0 litre turbo V6 (347 PS and 700 Nm) and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system (MHEV) that consists of a belt-driven starter motor and an electrically powered compressor (EPC) – part of an earlier update. The S4 is also available with a 3.0 litre V6 TFSI (354 PS and 500 Nm) in markets outside Europe.

Models with the 2.0 litre four-cylinder TFSI engine (available in 150 PS, 190 PS and 245 PS outputs) will feature (for the first time) a 12-volt MHEV system that employs a belt alternator starter and lithium-ion battery. Audi says the functional principal of its 12-volt MHEV tech is similar to the more advanced (and expensive) 48-volt system, although things like coasting phases, recuperation output and the CO2 savings are somewhat reduced.

B9 Audi A4 gets a second facelift – revised styling and equipment list; new 12-volt mild hybrid engines

Aside from the S4-specific V6 TDI, there’s another less powerful V6 TDI with 245 PS, as well as smaller 2.0 litre four-pot oil burner providing 190 PS. The 12-volt MHEV system will also make its way to 2.0 litre TDI engines later on, available with 136 PS or 163 PS.

Depending on the chosen engine, transmission choices include a six-speed manual transmission, seven-speed S tronic or eight-speed tiptronic, with the option of front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive.

Other options include the choice of standard or sport suspension, as well as two adaptive suspensions. The comfort suspension with damper control comes with a 10 mm drop in ride height, while the sport suspension, either with or without damper control, lowers things by 23 mm. For allroad quattro cars, there’s 35 mm more ground clearance.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Mansur on May 15, 2019 at 12:53 pm

    (Like) B9 Audi A4.
    (Dislike) G20 BMW 3Series

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 20
  • Vincent on May 15, 2019 at 1:41 pm

    hybrid engines again? Your 2013 A6 hybrid problem was not solve till today!!! look at how audit doing in MY… drop till dare not declare monthly sales unit!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • Looks wayy better now

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Why Audi still cant sell after Audi AG seized direct control? A4 is a flop and all only sold off during last yr 0% tax period. Furthermore, those were 2017 stocks. Malaysia isn’t a focus market hence just peg a sky high price and wait for douche bags to buy below par specs oooo.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
    • Moe Betul on May 15, 2019 at 5:12 pm

      Every car brand which DRB touched gone lingkup here. First Suzuki, then Chevrolet, now Audi. Go figure

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 4
  • Ouch Dee on May 15, 2019 at 6:33 pm

    Oh! Is Audi still in Malaysia?!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • VW Group fan on May 15, 2019 at 8:17 pm

    I like the pre-facelifted version better. It looked better and also had that click wheel instead of this hard to use touch screens

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
 

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