Two Audi S4 Avant models have been spied undergoing winter testing as the reveal of the next-generation wagon range nears.
There has been a continued absence of A4/S4 sedan prototypes but plenty of wagons, suggesting the sedan may not be renewed for another generation.
Overseas reports suggest Audi could instead replace the current A4 sedan and A5 Sportback with a single model, with the A4 Avant to be rechristened the A5 Avant.
As previously seen with the upcoming Audi A3 facelift, there’s a new, seemingly wider, flatter grille with the Audi badge positioned higher.
This new front-end design will likely proliferate throughout the Audi line-up.
The spied prototypes feature different exhaust outlet designs from each other.
Previous photos have revealed the wider A4 family will continue to use a large, tablet-style, landscape-oriented central touchscreen, which will now subsume the climate controls.
The S4 will reportedly receive mild-hybrid powertrain technology for its petrol engine.
The current model uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 produces 260kW of power and 500Nm of torque with a 0-100km/h time of 4.9 seconds, though in Europe it’s offered with a turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel V6 with 251kW and 700Nm and a 48V mild-hybrid system.
The next A4, S4 and RS4 are expected to use an updated version of the existing MLB Evo platform, and might be the last to feature combustion engines.
Audi is planning to cease the sale of cars with internal combustion engines outside of China by 2033. It says it will launch its last new combustion-powered car for global markets in 2025.
Given the current generation of A4 debuted back in 2015 and was facelifted in 2019, and the fact these prototypes appear close to production ready, a reveal of the new generation is expected later this year.
Audi sold just 535 examples of the wider A4 range in Australia in 2022, including the high-riding allroad wagon, which was scarcely more than the 387 examples it sold of the related A5 Sportback.
BMW, in contrast, sold 2818 examples of its 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz sold 3566 C-Class sedans.
MORE: Everything Audi S4
