There’s a new Audi A4 and A4 Avant on the way with a host of new technology and a smarter look.

Audi chiefs say that during the development work, high priority was placed on the reduction of CO2 emissions focused on reducing drive resistance. A good example is aerodynamics: The A4 Saloon has the best drag coefficient in its class at 0.23.

CO2 emissions are lowered to 95 grams per kilometre for the A4 Saloon 2.0 TDI ultra with 150 hp; the A4 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra emits 99 grams CO2 per km. The 2.0 TFSI with 190 hp emits 109 g/km in the A4 Saloon ultra and 114 g/km in the A4 Avant ultra. The most powerful engines are two TDI six-cylinder units with up to 272 hp. Driver assistance systems and infotainment are of luxury quality. A new generation of four-cylinder TFSI engines with newly developed combustion methods sets benchmarks in terms of fuel consumption, emissions and performance for four-cylinder petrol engines.

The length of the Saloon version is increased to 4,726 millimetres, which is 25 millimetres longer than the previous model. Its width has grown by 16 millimetres to 1,842 millimetres and its height is unchanged at 1,427 millimetres – the lowest in the premium segment. Its wheelbase has grown by 12 millimetres to 2,820 millimetres. The new Audi A4 Avant is a smidgen shorter and slightly higher than the Saloon while all other dimensions are identical but, its weight has been reduced significantly – by up to 120 kilograms, depending on the engine.

Both cars will be launched with seven engines: three TFSI and four TDI. Their power output has increased significantly and ranges from 150 hp to 272 hp, but fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 21%. The A4 2.0 TDI ultra has fuel consumption of just 3.7 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of just 95 grams per kilometre; the figures for the corresponding Avant model are 3.8 l/100 km and 99 g/km CO2.

An Audi spokesperson has told us that the two new Audi A4 models will launch in Ireland in November with even more standard features than that of their predecessors. These include xenon headlights, keyless go, Audi drive select and a 7-inch MMI colour display. Full Irish equipment and pricing information will be announced in the coming weeks.