More on the next A4...

i am starting to like it already

what is there to like yet?
you can't see anything...

http://www.worldcarfans.com/spyphotos.cfm/country/gcf/spyphotoID/6070511.001/audi/spy-photos-new-audi-a4

I've said it once, and I'll say it again. The Audi A4 will never eclipse the BMW 3 series until they get rid of their FRONT WHEEL DRIVE layout. Audis across the board should be REAR WHEEL DRIVE with QUATTRO as an option.

Why does everyone assume that every carmaker wants to topple the BMW 3-Series?

The BMW 3-Series has its own market niche, so does the A4, so does the C-Class etc. People who know their cars tend to buy a C-Class for comfort first, sport second. Not the case with the 3-Series: sport first, everything else second. Audi's appeal due to their sporty image coupled to AWD. Notice I said that this applies to people "who know about cars". Badge snobs are something else.

Companies realize it is beneficial to compare their cars against what is seen as the "benchmark" in class (when it comes to driving dynamics) in their advertising. Take Lexus for example. From what I've read, the IS350 falls short on overall handling and balance, yet Lexus still markets the car as a BMW 3-Series rival. It sells because people fall for it.

exactly. why the hell does it have to be the 3series all the time? i'm sure audi doesnt care about toppling the 3series. as long as people are buying it they would make it.

Well thats pretty simple. They want to topple the 3-series because IT SELLS THE MOST. The 3-series outsells any of its competitors by a large margin so obviously the competitors want to do what BMW is doing.

well clothing is more luxurious than tape and plastic

Leather (used for Lexus camo's)is far more luxurious.

"AWD variants" sounds great but which variant of Quattro? If Torsen is included, is it a T1, T2, or T3. I want Audi to fully disclose the design of the Quattro system it will be using right down to a full description of the differential at front, center, and rear. BTW, I'm warming up to the idea of getting the upcoming A5 coupe.

EnnNorak, you must understand something: ONLY GOLF-BASED MODELS HAVE HALDEX. That's only the TT and A3. ALL others- A4, A5, A6, A8, Q7 and the rest -have or are going to have the latest generation of TORSEN.

cant wait for the rs4

I think the new A4 will need to have a larger engine than just a 2.0T to compete against its competitors (Example: 3 series). I feel they will need at least 230hp for an entry level model. The G35/328i both overpower the A4. The only thing that is almost the same in hp is the IS250.

However with the quality interior put together very precise I think the A4 would still win in fine finishing against the Toyota's high build quality standards with the Lexus.

The 2.0T has already been tuned to 230hp in the GTI Edition 30- I'd be surprised if they didn't give it at least 220hp for the new A4. The thing is, though, although it's not as powerful as competitors, it's more fun. In the March 2006 AWD Comparison Test in R & T, (S40 T5 AWD, G35X, Legacy GT, IS250 AWD, 325xi, Mazdaspeed6, A4 2.0T quattro) the A4 won, because it was the sportiest, with the most fun engine. It doesn't need 240hp to be good.

It will probably get VW's excellent Twincharger system.

The extra power would be nice, but they, like all other car companies, really need to start shedding some weight. They're like athletic fat girls with pretty faces. Sure they can move rather decently, but they'll never move like a cheerleader. The B5 A4/S4 already pushed the limits of how heavy a performance car should be. The other models after that were just fat slobs...

Well buddy, Lexus clearly spends a lot on its vehicle development, much more than VW's luxury brand; hence the leather camo.

I am sure this A4 will be an evolution and play it safe. Which is a good thing. Love the current A4 style. I just wish they would get the handling sorted out so it can run with the BMW 3 series.... like one said before me, they may need RWD to finally achieve this. Otherwise their cars are excellent.

After reading AutoWeek's raving review of the A5 with the new MLP layout (they also kept going over how "sensuous" it is), I have no doubt that even in AWD form, the new A4 will be a capable performer. The non-MLP RS4 and S6, which have been praised for amazing handling, just reinforce that.

Their better be a huge improvement. The A4 is the only car in the Audi lineup that is boring in every aspect. The design is dull and it is atrocious in the fun to drive category, reminds of Buicks.
I still think Audi need to ditch this FWD crap before it can be taken seriously.

FWD is for European Audi's. As far as I am aware, all North American Audi's are equipped with Quattro.

And most people won't understand the fundamental differences in handling between a FWD, RWD and AWD car, so it shouldn't be a problem.

How is the A4 boring? The 2.0T engine is better than any other base-level engine in this class, the interior is second to none and it looks amazing with the Titanium Package or S-Line kit. Which, by the way, is standard for 2008. The new A4 will come shortly after.

Do you really think people car that much about driven wheels? In the UK, these cars are rep-mobiles, being driven up and down motorways, so 318ds and A4 1.9 tdis are very popular. That's where they get their sales (BMW 3 series 10th best selling car in Britain). AWD would be useless for reps, and as the weather isn't exactly extreme here, you don't need it. FWD suits many people fine, and don't forget, Audi sales are very close to BMW's in Europe. They sold more last month than BMW in the UK.

No not all NA Audi's are AWD. I'm assuming the majority are but not all of them.
"The 2.0T engine is better than any other base-level engine in this class"
That engine is full of crap. Every base model in it's class have far better engines. And the engine is very gullible, it can't handle a big raise in boost without breaking down.

Yes, the majority of people who buy these cars don't care about the difference in RWD or FWD. They buy them for the badge. But to someone who knows, their is a huge difference between the two. Why does everyone knock Lexus handling when the base Audi's (FWD) are far inferior. AWD is nice and dandy but if you don't live in an area with lots of snow then there's no logical use for it.
Yes the interior is the best in the class but not that far ahead.

Because, Lexus somehow manages to muck up the RWD on their sedans so much that it doesn't even feel like a RWD car. Go drive a 535i, then a GS350.

And, are you kidding me about the 2.0T engine? It's been on Ward's Top 10 Engines list at least twice- I didn't see the 325i, C230, IS250 or TSX on there (G35 is a bigger engine). It has plenty of torque, and great power anywhere in the rev range. It also sounds amazing in higher revs, and the DSG works wonders with the engine. Don't worry, I own one, in my A3.

Yes the BMW's are great handling cars. But you're kidding yourself if you think all Lexus' are crap in the handling department. The IS is amazing. Yes i'll agree the ES' handling is crap but then again it's made for the sole purpose of being a comfy car for 50+ year olds. Take the ES on a long trip and you'll feel how comfortable and relaxing this car is. And i've had several customer come and try too boost the power on their 2.0's and i have to say i'm not at all impressed with the engine. IMHO it needs alot of work, and i mean a lot of work.

The only thing I see in those pics is that it still has a long nose/front overhang. Maybe less than before, but still noticeably more than a 3-series. There is only so much you can do about that in a FWD platform.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's not the final wheelbase, because the overhang looks significantly longer than the A5's. Even if it was, the nose-heaviness would be almost completely eliminated, because of the MLP.

why do they redesign their cars every 2 years. its like the audi engineers have ADD