The Audi A4 will make a comeback to the German brand’s India line-up in facelift form early next year. The first batch of the 2021 Audi A4 facelift has rolled off the production line at Aurangabad, signalling its launch is imminent. The launch of the updated A4 will also mark the beginning of a new product offensive from Audi.
- 2021 Audi A4 gets sharper styling and more equipment
- 190hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine to be on offer
- Expected to be priced at about Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom)
2021 Audi A4 facelift design changes
Updates to the A4’s design include revised front and rear bumpers with larger air inlets, a wider iteration of Audi’s signature single-frame grille, and reshaped headlights that get new LED DRLs. From the side, the A4 facelift gets a more clearly defined shoulder lines that help mark it apart, while the rear, there’s a new chrome strip connecting the redesigned tail-lights. New alloy wheel designs will also be on offer.
This facelift for the fifth-gen A4 is not to be confused with the A4 Quick Lift, which got minor feature and design updates and was launched here in November 2019. This version was then discontinued earlier this year with the shift to BS6 emissions norms.
2021 Audi A4 facelift interior changes
The cabin design of the 2021 A4 has not changed much, and features the same clean design as before, including a bank of AC vents that stretches the width of the dashboard. There is, however, one significant change to the infotainment system.
Mounted high on the dashboard, is a new 10.1-inch touchscreen, which comes with the new Audi MMI Touch software. However, unlike the new A6, A8 L and Q8, there is no second touchscreen lower down, and functions like the AC controls are still operated via physical knobs. The old MMI click-wheel and touch pad on the centre console have given way for a small storage cubby hole. As before, higher variants will be available with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, albeit in its newer, higher-resolution guise, and configurable interior lighting will be among the other comfort and convenience features.
What community is saying on the A4?
2021 Audi A4 facelift engine and gearbox changes
Unlike its predecessor – which came with a 150hp, 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine – the A4 facelift will get more exciting 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which will come exclusively with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, powering the front wheels; it will not use Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system. The A4’s smooth and refined 35 TDI diesel engine will not be making a return anytime soon, as Audi India’s products will be petrol only for the time being.
2021 Audi A4 facelift price and rivals
When it arrives in Audi showrooms in early 2021, the A4 facelift is expected to be priced around the Rs 40-45 lakh (ex-showroom) mark. This would mean that rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C-class (Rs 41.31-47.14 lakh*) and the BMW 3 Series (Rs 42.30-49.30 lakh^) would be priced at par.
* Petrol-only, non-AMG models
^Petrol models only
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
