They Say WE Like Starting Flame Wars. How About This One From Audi?

In case you haven't noticed I love people with passion and drive (no pun intended), so I love it when someone is proud of their product and isn't afraid to pick a fight with their competitor

But in an intelligent way, say via ad campaigns.

So I want to give a shout out to Audi for doing some great smack talking in their banners, running on our site and others.

It's one thing to imply superiority but it's another to have the guts to just come out and whack your competition.

A while back 00J talked about the claim of fastest in the segment.

Here's a link to it for reference-

Audi Advertisements Claim New A4 Is The Fastest Car In Its Segment. Do YOU Believe That?

But I would like to focus on what they say here about the others:

Here's what they say when they compare the new A4 to the rest of the segment

MB C300 4Matic- predictable efficiency

BMW 328xi- moderate cabin size

Lexus IS250- adequate acceleration

The New Audi A4- The biggest, fastest, most fuel efficient car in its class.

If you were running the campaign are these the flaws you would have pointed to when you were positioning YOUR car?

And are they fair assessments? 

How would YOU have described the flaws of their cars?

Let us know what your bullet points would have been...and do you think ads like this REALLY work?

LA Auto Show Photo Gallery

motor1 - 11/14/2008 11:29:50 PM

+3 Boost

Those commercials are rubbish. When they say that their rivals are less fuel efficient, it then says at the bottom it is comparing a A4 2.0 with a 328i and C300. The 328 and C300 are a whole litre bigger. Very misleading. I still prefer a C-Class or 3 Series to an A4.

motor1 - 11/14/2008 11:35:40 PM

0 Boost

And they also used a 328xi? Did they just walk into a car dealership and buy whatever model they had and hope the A4 was better than it? God knows they will be testing the A5 against the Mercedes CL-Class sooner or later.

Dustbuster - 11/15/2008 12:13:09 AM

+2 Boost

Looks like Audi is talking about entry-level all wheel drive premium imports. While the A4 has a four-cyliner motor, the output is about the same because of the turbo. I must say that I'm not too fond of this muscle-flexing, though.

Agent63 - 11/15/2008 7:18:32 AM

+4 Boost

The A4 and the IS250 make similar performance figures so in that regard putting aside the engine size it is a fair comparison. As for the 3er and the C class it's the closest models to compare to the Audi.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/16/2008 1:34:22 AM

+3 Boost

"When they say that their rivals are less fuel efficient, it then says at the bottom it is comparing a A4 2.0 with a 328i and C300. The 328 and C300 are a whole litre bigger."

Now that is just a stupid way of thinking. Don't let the four-banger deceive you. It IS quicker than the 328xi, C300 and IS250, by a significant margin. It is also far more efficient. Audi just took a much smarter route than the other brands, and they deserve credit for it.

Agent001 - 11/14/2008 11:40:26 PM

-2 Boost

The one that kind of mystifies me is the comment about the C300... 'predictable efficiency'

What's wrong with that?

001

Dustbuster - 11/15/2008 12:14:31 AM

+4 Boost

I think they are saying merely "predictable" instead of "surprising" or "astonishing".

macrocaus - 11/17/2008 4:02:17 AM

+1 Boost

'Predictable efficiency' should have been the descriptor for the IS.

Foreigner - 11/17/2008 12:53:29 PM

+1 Boost

They're saying it's predictable because MB's historically have had lower efficiency than comparable competitors. Saying that it's "predictable" is saying that it's not surprise that the fuel economy is subpar to mediocre at best.

AudiNewEngland - 11/14/2008 11:46:30 PM

+5 Boost

Why does this keep being brought up? I've seen this ad on the side of so many pages online, like autotrader and ebay. This ad is nothing new.

Why are you adding evidence to a point we've already discussed? Can't you just find new things for us to argue over?

I really don't need to read another one of amazinbimmer's responses.

Agent001 - 11/14/2008 11:53:40 PM

-4 Boost

We have not discussed the comments against the competition, if they are valid and are there better zingers they could have thrown at them.

We only talked about their claim as the fastest in the 'segment'.

001

001

Dustbuster - 11/15/2008 12:08:55 AM

+7 Boost

Yeah, one more amazinmoron response, and I might lose it. I've owned cars from both brands and worked for BMW and Audi in one capacity or another and let's face it, no car will ever be perfect because compromises have to be made. But before we get to complaints about VW parts, all German cars go to the same group of suppliers and I've seen the same issues across brands. Window regulators, fuel pumps, cam sensors...oh well, this is my Friday rant.

darzav - 11/15/2008 12:58:11 AM

0 Boost

Well desperation in advertising? The A4 although is a well balanced car, its no fun. Acceleration and performance goes to BMW while luxury and class heads the way of Mercedes. Lexus is also in the luxury side but beaten by the Mercs. Audi? I guess they dont know wht they want. A luxury or a performance brand. Hence they stay in the middle. I dont blame them for that but i contend that their advertising is misleading and inacurate. Shame.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/16/2008 1:39:02 AM

+2 Boost

"Acceleration and performance goes to BMW"

328xi 0-60:

6.9 (M), 7.1 (A)

A4 2.0T Q 0-60:

6.5 (M), 6.7 (A)

These are all the manufacturers' figures. It would be easy to say that BMW underestimates its acceleration times, but Audi does the same thing.

"luxury and class heads the way of Mercedes."

Prove it. All of the publications have been saying the new A4's interior sets the standard for the class. That's totally subjective, though.

AudiNewEngland - 11/16/2008 2:16:30 AM

+1 Boost

Seriously,
the C300 interior is disgusting, about as bad as BMWs. I went and looked at it last week. I like the exterior though, not sure about the giant merc sign though.

Therefore,
Interior: A4
Exterior: A4
Performance: A4
Size: A4
Fuel Efficiency: A4

Winner: B8 A4.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/17/2008 12:39:12 PM

+1 Boost

"actually S$, almost every review states that the interior is Audi-like but most notice that cost-cutting was made. Even B7 owners agree that their materials were better to the touch and the new A4 seems "more plastic-like"."

Absolutely, I agree. I'm disappointed with the new interiors. They're still better than anything else though.

Agent001 - 11/15/2008 1:24:38 AM

+2 Boost

I'll tell you from personal experience if you haven't driven the 09 you need to.

Lightest, most agile Audi a4 yet...if it had a 335-like engine in there, look out.

And that's coming soon.

001

Harrimantutu - 11/15/2008 2:23:43 AM

-1 Boost

well i like audis but for this segment i would pick either the 3 series or c class anyday rather than the A4!

mpls - 11/15/2008 3:03:55 AM

+1 Boost

All that from a Predictable car company like Audi, from the same group compan as VW who used to make racist TV ads about Japanese car makers in UK..

Agent009 - 11/17/2008 10:19:05 AM

+1 Boost

mpls- Please grow a pair... You need to be able to take a little ribbing and not call it racist. Just because YOU may not like the message doesn't mean it is racist. Don't hide behind racism when it never was an issue.

Agent001 - 11/15/2008 3:44:17 AM

-2 Boost

OK, who is going to be first here?

What one-liners who you have said in the ads against the competition?

I'll do one to inspire you all...

Mercedes C300 4Matic- Your father's Mercedes

Let's get creative boys and girls and have some fun on a Saturday!

001

528i - 11/15/2008 4:50:07 AM

-2 Boost

Ok,

A4- hey look its an A8, oh wait, its an A6, NO its Jetta on steroids.

328x- wow its ugly

C300 4matic- wanna be benz

IS250- WHAT HELL IS THAT?

How was that..

Bmw8ter - 11/15/2008 12:27:53 PM

+2 Boost

+1.....for getting the last 3 right.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/16/2008 1:40:47 AM

+1 Boost

"The only reason why Audi can claim the most fuel efficient is because they offer smaller engines than the competitors"

You say it like it's an excuse for their efficiency. Absolutely not. The A4 2.0T is also the quickest car in this class. In this case, smaller is better... way better.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/16/2008 1:41:39 AM

+1 Boost

"Anyway, Audis car is a whole generation ahead of BMW and Lexus, so it is easy for them to be ahead."

Bitter? Why weren't you (or people in general) saying things like that when the 335i came out and it was compared to the A4 3.2? That is ALWAYS true.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/17/2008 12:40:52 PM

+1 Boost

"I'm sorry S4, but I think that you are somewhat biased here and you are wrong and wrong! The Audi 2.0TDI is a step in the right direction, but that is it! It is their first common rail engine... THEIR FIRST COMMON RAIL ENGINE - IN 2008 FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!"

What are you even talking about? I'm talking about the 2.0T petrol which is hands down better than the small six-cylinder engines from iother brands.

dodgedart - 11/15/2008 6:31:19 AM

-1 Boost

A(0) Another invisible Audi, the trademark aero shaped invisi-mobile since 1985

investor27 - 11/15/2008 11:39:00 AM

+1 Boost

The BMW does have a diesel car in the US. It's called the 335d, on sale for $45,000.

investor27 - 11/16/2008 12:19:26 PM

+1 Boost

Agreed.

biglloydsG35 - 11/15/2008 12:16:44 PM

+3 Boost

I am sooo glad that everyone is so narrow minded that the all new Infiniti G37 has better fuel economy and is larger and stronger than all the competitors in its class. Maybe you should have a better look around next time!

S4cabriofoxone - 11/16/2008 1:42:12 AM

-1 Boost

The G37 gets awful MPG.

Bmw8ter - 11/15/2008 12:24:37 PM

0 Boost

How come it's only bimmer nutcases that goes crazy when their rivals produce seemingly fraudulent advertisments, but when BMW does it, no one really seems to give a sh*t? You'd think it was the GOP vs. the Libs.

No, the Audi A4 is not the fastest in it's class, and NO, BMW's 335i does not have 300hp. You gotta give it to Audi though, their ads are great...I can't say the same for BMW's.

Dustbuster - 11/15/2008 6:03:23 PM

+1 Boost

Ever check the exterior gaps between panels on the IS? So you sold European cars? Then you should know that Euro cars are about all the details...but I agree that the Lexus is perhaps more reliable. But I'd pick the 3 series or A4 over the IS because of the driving feel and the designs that will still look good in 10 years.

VISO - 11/15/2008 2:55:27 PM

0 Boost

Our new amazingmoron has arrived.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/17/2008 7:02:01 PM

+1 Boost

EVERYTHING is an opinion. You have your opinion, he has his. Deal.

nikejk - 11/15/2008 6:12:09 PM

+4 Boost

the A4 does nothing for me... This is what i would buy...

1. G Sedan
2. 3 series
3. IS
4. CTS
5. C Class
6. A4

AudiNewEngland - 11/16/2008 2:21:40 AM

-5 Boost

you have unbelievably bad taste...

S4cabriofoxone - 11/17/2008 7:03:19 PM

+1 Boost

I can't understand why someone would buy a C-Class over an A4. It's better than it was before but it's still perfectly average, for an above-average price. The only C that I would buy is the C63 AMG, because it's amazing.