RENDERED SPECULATION: Will The Next-Gen Audi A4 Lead Off With A NEW Look For The Brand?

Yes, the next generation A4 will be the model that starts Audi's more aggressive design strategy.

This new design strategy is not speculation but rather confirmed by Audi media reports:

http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrelease.do;jsessionid=3B46A4C191D527F98F90A89D3EC197FC?&id=3227&mid=1

It's still speculation...

We don't know what cues will be applied or how it will be applied.

The exterior design of this rendered A4 looks aggressive, elegant and attractive. But we should wait for the official pics before jumping to conclusions.

As GermanNut noted, Audi is pursuing a new design strategy. Although this is an SUV, it shows elements some which may feature on the next A4 ( pics from GermanNut’s link):
http://audimedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/libraryImages/AL120214_large__mid.jpg
http://audimedia.iconicweb.com/mediasite/libraryImages/AL120217_large__mid.jpg

The new Audi A4 will be over 200 lbs lighter, more efficient and more agile than the current A4. It’s likely the new S4 will give the new BMW M3 a run for its money, just as several past S4 cars have done.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/a4/63593/new-audi-a4-2014-release-date-and-rumours

The new Audi must aim to look best in its class. For me, the best looking of the new cars in this segment will be the Infiniti Q50 to be introduced this summer, which I saw at a car show a few months ago. Better looking than the Lexus IS 350, which has a nice body design but poorly-thought headlights and a chicken-coop front grille.
http://www.infinitiusa.com/all-new-q50/design/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGOAr2jGC9c

While I adore the S4 and drive one, the reality is it never challenged the M3. Not even close.

And from the looks of things, it is going to take a properly done up RS4 to give the all-new M3 a run for its money.

The new M3 has not been released so its performance is just speculation. The possibility remains that the next Audi S4 will give the next BMW M3 a run for its money, just as several previous S4 cars have done in the past (even though the Audi’s competitor for the M3 is the RS4/5). Even the German car mags know this otherwise they wouldn’t test the S4 against the M3.

2004 Top Gear comparo: Audi S4 (1:30.90) beat the BMW M3 (1:31.80), both driven by the Stig
http://blip.tv/carversation/bmw-m3-vs-audi-s4-topgear-587980

2006 German comparison test, the Audi S4 cabrio (first place) comprehensively beat the BMW M4 cabrio (last place). Autozeitung has its own test track.
http://www.autozeitung.de/kraft-sportler/fazit

2004 German comparo test fom the pro-BMW Autobild which concluded that the S4 should be first place based on logic.
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/audi-s4-gegen-bmw-m3-47587.html

2003 Car and Driver Comparison test: Audi S4 vs. BMW M3, M-B C32 AMG
First place Audi S4
http://tinyurl.com/n8jfevz

2003 Road and Track Comparison test: Audi S4 vs. BMW M3, M-B C32 AMG
First place Audi S4
http://tinyurl.com/mm7osoy

Someone copy and paste links to the 40 or so recent comparisons in which the outgoing M3 beat the brand new RS5 so GermanNut/Satriani/whatever can stop bringing up articles from 10 years ago.

JRobUSC: I’m glad a Bimmer fanboy like you reads all my posts and wants even more info…

German car mag comparo: Audi RS5 defeats BMW M3
http://www.autozeitung.de/auto-vergleichstest/audi-rs5-bmw-m3-coupe-test/fazit

German car mag comparo: Audi RS4 (first place) versus Porsche 911 4S (second place)
http://www.autozeitung.de/roter-bereich/fazit

Car and Driver comparison: Audi RS4 vs BMW M3 vs Mercedes C55 AMG.
“Audi's new RS 4 leaves our editors highly impressed… the consensus was that the Audi was the most desirable car of the three… the Audi manages to be faster, quieter, and more civil than the M3. It is also more precise than the C55”
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/rocket-sedans

German car mag comparo: Audi RS4 vs BMW M3
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/audi-rs4-gegen-bmw-m3-50768.html

(crickets...)One can fully expect JRob to criticize those findings, if not the magazines themselves. I mean, it is physically impossible for any BMW to lose a comparo, letalone to an Audi of all things!!

Satriani ... Here are the Current Comparison test of the Audi RS5 vs the M3, just so you are able to compare something relevant.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/2011-audi-rs5-vs-2010-bmw-m3-2011-cadillac-cts-v-comparison-tests

BMW 1st , Cadillac 2nd , Audi RS5 3rd

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1009_2010_audi_rs_5_vs_2011_bmw_m3_vs_2011_cadillac_cts_v_comparison/viewall.html

BMW 1st, Audi RS5 2nd, Cadillac 3rd

http://www.topgear.com/au/videos/the-audi-rs5-vs-bmw-m3-competition-pack

Jeremy picks M3 over RS5

http://www.europeancarweb.com/featuredcars/epcp_1302_2013_audi_rs5_vs_2013_bmw_m3/viewall.html

BMW 1st , Audi RS5 2nd

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=425968

Porsche 1st, BMW M3 2nd, Audi RS5 3rd, Mercedes C63 4th

*** those are the most recent comparisons which show the RS5, which is new, cant beat out the 5 year old BMW M3...

You're joking right.. Q50 !!??

I'm only referring to exterior design: The new Lexus IS is not ugly, it's one of the better designs (just not the best). It looks good in pictures -- but I was underwhelmed when I saw the real thing in the auto show. I bet when they make the refresh in 3 years, changes will be made to the headlights and grill. I liked the LF-FC concept and LFA on show, though -- even the grill.

I also had a good look at the real Infiniti Q50 at the same auto show. I wasn't interested at all about Infiniti and didn't know a G37/Q50 was coming out. But the exhibit caught my eye and I liked what I saw.

Once the Q50 starts popping up in summer, I expect the design will be well received.

The new Q50 design is bland and boring. A step back from the unique design of the last G37. Not offensive, but not eye catching in a good way. Still don't think the new name will help sales, as G has brand recognition.

I disagree with the Q50 haters.

That car is good looking and will offer value over the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz. AND, if Infiniti didn't botch the job it will likely drive just as good.

You watch.

Most of the mainstream car news media agrees with my view of the Q50. E.g., Motor Trend: “First Look: 2014 Infiniti Q50… Q-razy Good-Looking Sports Sedan… Did we mention the Q50 has killer looks? Defined by low, wide, and muscular proportions, the Q50 looks aggressive, thanks to its furrowed LED eyebrows located above full LED headlights. Infiniti's signature "double arch" front grille and crescent-shaped C-pillar are familiar styling cues. In addition to being visually appealing, the Q50's shape is aerodynamic …“
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1301_2014_infiniti_q50_first_look/

The Q50 is likely to be the dark horse of this segment. I expect its design, performance and sales to surprise the current segment leaders. It will be interesting to see how

The new IS looks way better !

very nice

Vario is probably going to be like the current A5/S5 Sportback