WHAT Are You Hoping For On The Next Audi A4?

I don't think the A4 is lacking. Comparing it to the 3 and the C, it offers more, in my opinion. All I can think of for Audi to drop is the CVT transmission on its lower output models, giving them proper gearboxes. The only reason the A4 isn't as successful as the 3 and C is because the brand itself has noticeably been apart of the "luxury car segment" for a shorter period of time, and for many older buyers it still holds the "overpriced Volkswagen" label. I think our current, under 35 y.o. generations will be the ones who push Audi even further than they are now, growing up with the perception that an Audi is a luxury car, not a top-of-the-range VW. Audis will become the fashion symbols the Mercs and Beemers are at present.

Audi got rid of all those items and yet are charging more for the vehicles. You can see the bean-counters in effect when you look at the new A4. It doesn't even look as polished as the last generation A4. And why the heck did they get rid of the dual exhaust setup on the 2.0t? Bean counters that’s why. Yet they still cost more. Not to get anyone upset but Audis are rip-offs.

I am currently driving my 4th A4, a 2009 2.0T Quattro with a manual transmission. For me, it is a perfect size...it still comes in stick...and in Cleveland, I definitely need the all-wheel drive. I fell in love with my first one after just a few days. And every time my leases come up, I try to find something comparable, but I just can't. The BMW has the manual and all-wheel drive option, but the price difference is just stupid. I did discover the Infiniti G last year when test driving cars for my husband, but while it has both a manual option and an all-wheel drive option, you can't get both options in the same vehicle. Same with the Cadillac CTS and the Marcedes C-Class...and probably a few others. I've stopped looking.

> I don't know about CVT because I haven't driven an automatic since high school. That said, I don't know what I would do if they stopped importing the Quattro+manual combination into the US.

Over the years, I have watched a number of items come and go from this car, not all for good, not all for bad.

> Why did they take away the driver's ability to fold in the side mirrors *from* the driver's seat, instead of having to stop the car, pull the emergency brake (or put in park), take off your seatbelt, crawl over to the passenger side, put down the window and pull in manually? WTF?? How is that safe, sensible and practical when squeezing through traffic or, in my case, into and out of my garage?

> What happened to the little storage drawers that used to be under the front seats? You cannot tell me that those were hazardous or that sloop many people complained about them that you had to get rid of them. Puh-leeze!

> Why did they do away with the tilting head rests? I always liked the A4's/German cars' tilting head rests, but the 2009 seemed to have misplaced them in favor of the ones out of my late grandfather's 2001 Park Avenue.

> I do relish the fact that my car has a couple little features my husband's C does not: the "mist" feature on the wipers, the down-tilting side mirror when I reverse, the heated seats that don't turn off (mmmmmmm......warm butt).

> I do *NOT* understand why Audi in general has been so slow on the draw with regards to either hybrids or clean diesel for the US. ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ALREADY HAVE THE DIESEL ENGINES IN PLACE FOR THE US VERSIONS OF THE PASSAT AND JETTA!!! Isn't the A4 Audi's best-seller? Don't they think that the faithful will buy a diesel A4? No? Then why do they think they'll buy a diesel Q? I don't get it. Knowing my ludk, though, they'll offer the diesel engine -- at the expense of both NO manual option and/or NO Quattro option.

Agree with your comments below. Going from a 2005.5 2.OT Quattro Manual to a 2009 2.0T Quattro Auto (import of manuals were delayed 6 months when the new model came out and my lease with a 6 month extention was up, I had to settle for the Auto), and having a 2012 2.0T Quattro Manual on order, due to come in next month, I have noticed these nit picks as well. Also have a 2007 Q7 3.6 which I love.

* Why did they get rid of the emeregeny kit in the rear armrest?
* On non-Nav models, wish they put the buttons by the shifter like Nav models - it just looks more upscale
* why did they get rid of the headlight washers on the higher models

Even with all this said, I love the sporty conservative science look of Audi. It has a more youthful appeal that the others do not offer. Plus I agree with the manual/all wheel drive combination.

Would also like a saddle brown leather with black dash interior option. It is available in Europe, why not the U.S?

RWD

Diesel!

More HP! At least 260 with the 4 Cylinder & forced induction should be doable? It's really the only reason I have not bought one... Oh, and never get rid of the 6-speed option.

A damn V8 S4....

Edgier, bolder appearance.

Instrument cluster from the "Quattro" concept....

-Bond

The A4 offers very little for the money is the first issue for people that would see it as an alternative to the more popular 3 series those that would also buy one of the other numerous cars in this class it jsut doesnt make alot of sense. In order to get a car that will compete with the engine upgrades in this class 300+ hp you have to spend nearly $60,000 just to get something competitive with the S4. While the IS350, G37, and 335i are faster or just as fast. The base car depending on its options is priced above other BMW and Mercedes alternatives, the only people I know that driving these are people who wanted a jetta but wnated something with a luxury nameplate, otherwise with its slew of reliability issues, bland styling, and tepid performance unless you just have to have a german car thats not a BMW or Mercedes there is no real reason to buy one.

I sold my A4 2.0T for a 335i. The A4 was a well-built car for sure but just boring compared to the BMW. The BMW is much more fun to drive although it has been in the shop way too many times.

I would consider Audi again if they would up the ante a bit. The A5/S5 should be way more powerful....and cheaper too. Otherwise you may as well buy a BMW or Porsche.

Also AWD is not needed in Cali. Just heavy and expensive to maintain.

s4 avant here in the states, or a4 s-line avant with stick.

Namely, an RS4. Also, it should shrink to lose weight, become a true part of the 3-series' competition (rather than being a tweener between the sizes of that and the 5-series) and regain its sporty character.

The A4 needs to be a little less generic (That's an S4 pictured above). And end the crazy pricing scheme. That S4 pictured above can run close to $70k if you click on some of the desirable options. I'm sorry, but the car pictured above doesn't look like a $65,000 car.

Not to mention the 2.0t can get into the $50,000 range. $50k+ for a 4-cylinder car? Audis offers the least amount of car/performance for the most money. That doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon. Gone are the days of the 30v A4 (that was cheaper than the competing 3-series and offered just as much performance), and the V6 S4 (That offered M3 performance at a cheaper price). Now the Audis cost more while offering less performance (complete turnaround). No wonder why they enjoy such high profit margins on their vehicles.

They drove front end heavy, just like the A6. Hopefully they can balance out the vehicle and the steering seems softer over time.
Also, less pricks on the inside. I have a 335i and these A4's always try to race me. Congratulations, you have rope lights on the front of your car, doesnt add HP!!! Of course, I embarass them off the line or easily just pull away from them on the highway. they probably dont know how to downshift.

Incorrect LexSucks.

That's not an S4 pictured above.

You’re correct. It’s an A4 S-line that looks exactly like the S4. Which dilutes the S4 even more.

I want a Diesel A4 sedan with Quattro. And, I want it now!