Next-generation A4 will be topped by electric RS model

Wednesday, 8 December 2021

The new A4 is being developed as we speak, and it will come with lots of electrification.

The next generation of Audi A4 has been detailed, and it looks to be one of the first of Audi’s ‘normal’ models to get the electrification treatment.

According to Autocar UK, the new A4 will continue to be sold in sedan and wagon forms, riding on a modified version of the MLB platform with a variety of engines available, all with either mild or plug-in hybrid electrification.

Audi's newest member of the e-tron SUV family is the triple motor S Sportback. Yes, that's right - three motors - here's how it works.

Those plug-in hybrid models will apparently get a 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery to allow electric driving ranges of more than 72km. It’s the same battery used in current plug-in Q5, A6 and A7 models. It is also found in the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid and Panamera E-Hybrid.

That electrification extends up to the RS 4, which will retain the 2.9-litre biturbo V6 but gain extra volts to lift output beyond its current 331kW/600Nm. How high those numbers will rise is unknown at the moment, but we’d expect it to pack a decent punch.

**READ MORE:

The e-tron GT will lend its looks to the new A4 e-tron.

* Audi e-tron S adds extra spark

* First drive: Audi RS e-tron GT

While nothing is confirmed yet, it would be fantastic to see Audi offer an all-electric go-fast wagon.

* Could Audi kill the A1 to make room for an electric A2?

* Audi ready to capitalise on big 2020

The BMW i4 will be the A4 e-tron’s primary competitor.

Markus Hoffmann, head of R&D at Audi, told Autocar: “We already have electrification modules today, from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrids – and we will be focusing even more intensively on electrification in the cars that follow.”

One of those cars that follow is a new pure-electric A4 e-tron, which will be Audi’s answer to the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and forthcoming BMW i4.

It will be based on the Premium Platform Electric co-developed with Porsche and shared with the larger A6 e-tron, and adopt a design similar to the e-tron GT.

Whether Audi decides to differentiate its competitor by offering it as a wagon is unclear, but we’re hoping so. Fast wagons are cool, and fast EVs are also cool, so a fast EV wagon is bound to be awesome.

According to Autocar UK it will be available in dual-motor form with quattro but also a single-motor rear-drive version, which is a little out of character for Audi but still welcome.

Naturally, the A4 e-tron will get an RS version, with a reported 350kW/800Nm. Considering the e-tron S SUV uses a triple motor set-up, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the A4 e-tron RS push motor counts above two as well.

For comparison, the top-rung Model 3 AWD Performance makes 340kW/639Nm, while the most powerful Polestar 2 offers 300kW/660Nm. The BMW i4 M50, arguably the A4 e-tron RS’s closest competitor, produces a peak power output of 400kW/795Nm.

The report didn’t specify how big the battery in the A4 e-tron would be, but it did say that it would have a range of up to 700km and charge at speeds of up to 270kW.

Other A4 changes include styling tweaks to bring the model in line with other new Audis, including a lower, wide front grille (closed off on EV models, like the e-tron GT) and slimmer headlights.

We’ll know more about the next-generation A4 in due course, but for now we can wait and salivate at the idea of a 350kW electric wagon.