Autocar got its hands on a new B8 A4 3.2 FSI. Needless to say, they were very impressed with the car. Many people say it looks just like the current B7 form and, to an extent, they are correct. However, the little improvements that Audi has made over the B7 have created a vastly improved A4. So much improved, in fact, the Audi comes in near the top of the class which includes the BMW 3-series, Mercedes-Benz C-class and Lexus IS.
The car looks better than the slightly understyled A5 on the exterior. The wheel arches provide a distinct sporty character to the car and when combined with the 12 LEDs in the headlights, the car is clearly recognizable as an Audi, day or night.
The interior is obviously the best in class when compared to the cheap plastics found in the C-class and the spartan BMW look. The A4 gets the A5 and A6 dash with excellent ergonomics and materials.
The rear seatroom has grown tremendously thanks to Audi's increased wheelbase so rear passengers no longer feel trapped and most importantly......
this new Audi A4 exhibits extreme grip and resitance to understeer thereby making it a vastly improved driver's car over the B7 version.
When you combine aggresive exterior styling with unique LED running lights, a best in class interior with excellent materials, ergonomics and feel, increased rear-legroom for rear passengers, and vastly improved driving charactersitics such as the resistance to understeer and a competitive price when compared to the 3-series and C-class.....you have yourself a car that will sell in droves.
This B8 platform is the base for the A5, the new A4 as well as the upcoming Audi A6, A7 and A8 as well as Q5 platforms.
Audi has a very bright future directly ahead and when DSG is implemented in all models from the A3 where it is currently available up the line to the A4, TT, A5, A6, A7, A8, Audi will be on an even bigger roll.
This is just the formula Audi needs if it is to leapfrog Mercedes-Benz within the next 4 years in sales.
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