A longer, wider Audi A4 Avant will go on sale in the UK in September, the first of a new extended family of variants based on the compact executive saloon.

The latest Avant (pictured) will offer more legroom, extra front and rear elbow room and 52 litres more load capacity compared with its predecessor and come with the choice of three petrol engines and four turbodiesel units. Pricing and exact specification will be announced closer to launch.

Redesign of the rear suspension has opened up more luggage space in the load bay which incorporates a lidded storage box, an oddments storage net, a 12-volt socket, and 65-litre underfloor compartment. Load capacity with the 1/3:2/3 split seats in place is up from 390 litres to 442 litres, while maximum with the seats down is 1,288 litres.

Two new alloy block petrol engines - a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit with 130bhp and a 220bhp 3.0-litre V6 - join the familiar 150bhp 1.8T. TDI models are 1.9-litre 100bhp or 130bhp, and 2.5-litre V6 with the choice of 155bhp or 180bhp.

Front-wheel drive and quattro four-wheel-drive configurations will be offered with five- or six-speed manual gearboxes. "Stepless" multitronic continuously variable transmission will be available for most petrol variants and the 155bhp TDI.

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