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Viknesh Vijayenthiran

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Vik is an Editor at High Gear Media and contributor for a number of sites within the High Gear Media network. He was a co-founder of... More

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Preview: 2009 Audi A4 Avant

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The release of the new Audi A4 Avant is expected to be around twelve months after the debut of the sedan, which puts its arrival sometime in early 2009. As this latest rendering reveals, the designers are going for a much more sporty and dynamic look thanks to the lower and more raked roofline plus the sleeker and more aggressive LED tail lamps.

Although the new A4 Avant and its sedan sibling are expected to resemble the current models, the developers are planning a major update of the car’s internals. The new A4 range rides on a brand new platform that’s shared with the new A5 coupe, and will also spawn the next generation A6 and A8 sedans. It’s also thought that this architecture will be used for the all new Q5 SUV and even a rumored A7 model to rival the Mercedes CLS.

The new platform is a significant leap over the existing design thanks to the repositioning of the engine, which will sit further back in the engine bay. This allows for better weight distribution and balance, improving both the ride and handling of the new car.

Expect a similar engine range to the A5 coupe with several four-cylinder and V6 units coming in both diesel and gasoline variants. The base unit is likely to be a 1.8L TFSI engine with 170hp, while the infamous RS4 complete with the 4.2L V8 FSI engine should make a return as the range topper. Transmissions on offer will include a conventional six-speed manual, a ‘multitronic’ continuously variable transmission, and the latest S-tronic dual-clutch gearboxes. Full image after the jump.