Audi A4

Last week, our spies spotted the all-new Q5 under a thin brown cover. This week, they have captured the world's first images of the next A4, hidden by a similar material.

Our pictures show what to expect under the disguise, although we won't have long to wait before the all-new compact executive model appears in the metal. Masked by a smokescreen of new vehicles including the A5 and R8, the A4 is only months away from its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany this September.

Despite the covering, these spy shots reveal key details about the new model. The bulges in the profile show it is clearly a four-door with conventional handles. And the nose is likely to display the latest version of the German firm's front-end styling, with Audi's trademark four-sided grille.

At the rear, designers have turned on the style with the lamp clusters. Our photographer got a glimpse of the back end when a gust of wind dislodged the cover, and it's a virtual carbon copy of the A5 coupé's rear.

It's rare for a new car to be kept secret so close to its official unveiling, but Audi is keen not to detract from the popularity of the current A4. And aiming to maintain the momentum, the next generation is set to go on sale here next year.

It's likely that, at first, the engine range will be carried over as it is. Popular 2.0-litre TDI diesel variants will make up the bulk of sales, along with naturally aspirated and turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol units.

Successors to the performance S4 and even faster RS4 are expected to be added later. But Audi's test drivers won't focus their attention purely on honing the handling of hot versions. They are also working to improve the standard two-wheel-drive and AWD quattro variants.

While the launch schedule is still top secret, the new A4 is due to be offered in both saloon and Avant est­ate bodystyles next year, with a fresh drop-top following later.

It's not yet known whether the next A4 Cabriolet is going to retain the current-generation model's fabric hood. In the past, however, the company has insisted that it won't turn to folding metal hard-tops, as rival BMW has with its 3-Series Convertible.