SPY PHOTOS: Is this the next Audi A4?

Audi's next generation A4 is getting ready for its debut in Frankfurt in September. Under the camouflage on this photo, the A4 saloon is showroom ready. Based on the same new modular-length platform as the A5, the A4 will be the second new car on that platform. Others that will use the new platform are the Q5 and the future models of the A6 and A8. The layout of the new platform makes it possibly to move the engine rearwards, while gearbox and differential will change positions. Therefore the new A4 will be less front-heavy than the current model. The front overhang will be about 15 cm shorter, and together with the better weight distribution it will improve the car’s handling considerably.

It’s no secret that Audi is aiming to make the A4 as sporty as the BMW 3-series. Engines will range from the new 1.8 litre TFSI starting at 130 bhp up to a 4.2 litre V8 in the S version. Between them we will find several petrol engines, all with direct-injection, and diesel engines with up to 240 horsepower.

We also wouldn’t be surprised if an RS 4 appeared sometime during the 2009 model year with the direct-injected 4.2 litre V8 with 420 horsepower. Front-wheel drive will be standard, and Quattro will be optional. As in all recently redesigned and new Audis, the new Quattro system will be rear-biased with a nominal 40/60 split. With the A4 saloon hitting the showrooms in November 2007, those of you who want the Avant (station wagon) will still have to wait until spring 2008.

Hans G. Lehmann/ Hidden Image

EL34 - 5/10/2007 12:31:59 PM

-1 Boost

Holy smokes, my next car!!!

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/10/2007 10:05:06 PM

+1 Boost

Nice upgrade from your current one.

AlexTx - 5/10/2007 12:38:56 PM

+5 Boost

Not a bas photo shop, but I doubt it will look like that.
The Rear quarter window will be separate from the rear door to give the car more of a coupe effect.

Occarnut - 5/10/2007 3:12:42 PM

-1 Boost

the real car will not look like the photoshop...some elements of the pic are similar.

answer - 5/10/2007 12:49:33 PM

+3 Boost

Damn nice if it were.

drakarula - 5/10/2007 1:16:14 PM

+3 Boost

It looks like they are taking the best of the New A5 and putting it to good use. Great job Audi!!

IamEvilHomer - 5/10/2007 11:59:50 PM

+1 Boost

it better be becuase the A5 is the next A4 as a coupe

Audi4Life - 5/10/2007 1:41:48 PM

+4 Boost

i totally agree with drakarula, cant wait to see it, audi will have profits up even more with upcoming rs6, r8, q5, future a4 and just released a5... the thing that i much like are the agressive fronts that audi makes with nice LED's

Mark - 5/10/2007 2:03:33 PM

+3 Boost

Just give me a little more leg room in the rear and I'll take it!!!!

S4cabriofoxone - 5/10/2007 2:54:41 PM

+1 Boost

I don't know if I love the photoshop (I've seen one or two that are even better), but of course, that is the new A4 under testing, and I can't wait for it to come out!

jeffgall - 5/10/2007 2:57:29 PM

+2 Boost

My 2005.5 A4 2.0T lease is up in April '08. I hope the '08 hits the show rooms in the US by then. I'll be waiting to pick another one up.

jmrA480 - 5/10/2007 5:52:05 PM

+1 Boost

probaly more like the end of 08 to the beginning of 09 for the US.

IamEvilHomer - 5/11/2007 12:01:03 AM

0 Boost

april is to early but you should be able to extend your lease up to 6 months if you have an order for one at the time

the 2008 is the last year look for the ar in 2008 as a 2009 my

Audi4Life - 5/10/2007 4:58:32 PM

+1 Boost

i have noticed that there is always a q7 parked in the top right corner of a spy pic lately , take a look at the q5 spy pics and see...

Agent63 - 5/10/2007 6:02:08 PM

+2 Boost

When does the next A4 come out anyways? Anyways, if the new A4 resembles the new A5 then it's an automatic hit.

AUDIMAN4 - 5/10/2007 9:24:29 PM

+1 Boost

Mid 2008.

EnnNorak - 5/10/2007 6:05:46 PM

+1 Boost

I need more info on the new Quattro system. Will it retain the Torsen center differential? Will it add a Torsen at the rear as well. Let's have some full disclosure from Audi please!

AUDIMAN4 - 5/10/2007 9:34:24 PM

+2 Boost

I would assume so. Torsen is what makes Quattro so special. However, Audi's new rear bias AWD means that it may have to be recalibrated.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/10/2007 10:42:25 PM

0 Boost

The Torsen system is already on the current A4, so they wouldn't take a step backwards with the new one.

chewy - 5/10/2007 6:41:55 PM

+2 Boost

I like, nice pshop.

Lexus - 5/10/2007 6:53:56 PM

+2 Boost

The current Audi A4 look great, but I need to see the actual photo of the new gen Audi A4 to comment on it.

AUDIMAN4 - 5/10/2007 9:32:00 PM

+3 Boost

I'm not sure about the A8. Something tells me the next A8 will have it's own platform, but it's a possibility. But yes, it's far more efficient to use modular platforms than create new ones for each model.

Don't confuse this with cheapness--each platform will be modified extensively to fit each car, and will all be different.

LexusNumberOne4ever - 5/10/2007 10:06:47 PM

+1 Boost

Lesser platforms, more fun, more profit.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/10/2007 10:45:05 PM

+1 Boost

Every vehicle in their entire lineup, except super-high-end (R8, based on Lambo, for instance), will be on the modular platform. It is configurable for each wheelbase, transmission, engine, drive setup and body length. And no, it's not cheap- this system was very expensive to produce.

IamEvilHomer - 5/11/2007 12:03:46 AM

-1 Boost

the new platform shoud be the A4, A5,A6,A7, Q5

the A8 Q7 A3, TT and R8 will not

R4 who knows

WickedRabbit - 5/10/2007 8:11:18 PM

+1 Boost

There is all ready a track photo spy shot on Car and Driver I think. The car looks nothing like the A5, so ignore this photochop completely. It does look pretty damn hot though and has a more curvacious body structure similar to an S6.

AUDIMAN4 - 5/10/2007 9:25:26 PM

+1 Boost

They both share design elements, but you're right, look nothing alike.

This will be the car that revolutionizes Audi and makes them a real threat in the US.

S4cabriofoxone - 5/10/2007 10:43:22 PM

+1 Boost

I don't know if "threat" is the right word to use in that context- threat against who, exactly? I know it's implied, but still...

Maybe you meant "competitor?"

AUDIMAN4 - 5/11/2007 12:00:46 AM

0 Boost

No, I meant threat, S4.

Audi's getting VERY serious with marketing, differentiating themselves from VW, dealership upgrades, and targeting a BMW, MB, and Lexus.

They have everything going for them already--good resale, high quality interiors, award winning engines, racing successes.

They're about to get serious. They are definitely a threat. Once more people find out about Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and especially Lexus will suffer.

AUDIMAN4 - 5/11/2007 12:06:27 AM

+1 Boost

Actually, S4, Audi now understands the very important nature of effective advertising. Advertising/marketing is what makes Americans (and only Americans) so passionate about Lexus.

Otherwise boring cars, basically derivities of the same copied technology, yet on this site and in the US market, Lexus seems to get a lot of attention.

When Audi launches this marketing attack, they too will incite interest--from showroom visits, sales, and sites like these.

chewy - 5/10/2007 9:43:00 PM

+2 Boost

A4 and A5 (Q5 also) will for sure be on the same exact platform with the same exact wheelbase most likely. The A6 would likely have a similar platform but will need a longer wheelbase, same with the A8. And the A8 has always had an aluminum space frame. But, all of the cars will use a lot of common arhitecture which will allow for quicker car development and less costs.

AUDIMAN4 - 5/11/2007 12:03:56 AM

+1 Boost

This is actually quite revolutionary technology. Audi's technological foresight is really leagues ahead of any of it's competitors.

Look at MMI vs. iDrive for example. So much better. The VW/Audi collaboration with hybrid technology back in the 1980's, and VW's self park in 1991.

And look at Lexus, STILL using the Camry platform for their ES350, and calling that a luxury car. Atleast Audi doesn't say the A3 is a real luxury car.

MunichRob - 5/11/2007 12:24:54 AM

+2 Boost

I bet the new A4 will look like a smaller A6 with an A5's front end. If it's as pretty as the A5 it's for sure a winner, let's just hope for some serious engine upgrades.

AUDIMAN4 - 5/11/2007 2:44:34 AM

+3 Boost

That's another thing. Audi needs to understand the US market--Americans do NOT like 4 cylinder engines. They consider them cheap, even when they are efficient.

They need to offer only six cylinders.

MPowerDK - 5/11/2007 2:03:58 AM

0 Boost

weird looking in that PS, ugly from back door and back.

EnnNorak - 5/11/2007 10:16:08 AM

+1 Boost

Agree with AUDIMAN4 that Americans do not like 4-cylinder engines but, when it comes right down to it, I would rather have an extremely robust 4-cylinder diesel than any of the inherently-out-of-balance 90-degree V6 engines that some German manufacturers still use, Audi included. My favorite engines are large in-line 6-cylinder ones. They are in near-perfect balance and if a large 4-door sedan with a powerful I-6 Cummins diesel ever becomes available, I'll be one of the first to buy it.

AUDIMAN4 - 5/11/2007 1:53:59 PM

+1 Boost

Yep. But I don't think Audi will ever stop selling four cylinder models. It's part of their DNA.

Spoonie_G - 5/11/2007 4:50:34 PM

+1 Boost

To bad the standard model will offer the least performance in it's class. I'm sorry but unless an Audi has an "S" or an "RS" badge on it, dont expect to win many races.

AUDIMAN4 - 5/13/2007 5:32:08 AM

+1 Boost

Audi's are very heavy cars. And, their engines haven't been best in class. So, they've been heavy, and not particularly the best all-around handling cars.

But it's true--that in snow, ice, and incliment weather, Audi's shine.

Now personally, I love the way my A4 handles. The steering is nice and tight, minimal body roll, and the Quattro is amazing, even in Texas weather.