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Audi Caught Testing B9 A4 At Pikes Peak Ahead Of Frankfurt Debut

Audi hasn’t been too great at keeping its yet-to-be-unveiled B9 A4 away from spy photographers’ camera lenses. We’ve seen both sedan and station wagon variants of the next-generation compact car on numerous occasions, but the latest A4 spotting is probably the most unique solely for its location.

Automobile Magazine caught the B9 A4 testing atop Pikes Peak in Colorado, 14,000 feet in the air. The air is quite thin at these levels, giving Audi some valuable data to work with in regards to how the car performs in low oxygen scenarios. The well-lit photos give us a good look at the A4’s evolutionary styling, which includes a more angular single frame grille and thinner, more angular lighting in the front and back.

In moving to the B9 generation, the A4 is expected to adopt Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo architecture, the same platform employed in the new Q7. The architecture helped shave 717 lbs from the Q7 over the first-generation model thanks to its mixed material structure, and should thus cut a significant amount of weight from the A4 as well.

As far as engine options go, Audi’s new 190 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which uses a unique combustion method similar to the Miller Cycle, has already been confirmed for use in the A4. A range of four-cylinder diesels will also be offered, along with both diesel and gasoline V6 engines.

We’ll get a full look at the B9 A4 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. In the mean time, check out the spy photos here.

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