IF The Next-Gen Audi A4/Q7 Are EVOLUTIONARY In Design, Will YOU Consider It A FAIL To YOU?

One company we've been keeping a close eye on is Audi. That's because sometime soon we're expecting to see the all-new A4 and all-new Q7.

Both products are critical for the company going forward. Not only are they both volume products, but they're also the two models said to be ushering in a new era of styling for Audi.

In recent years, the four rings has come under some serious fire from naysayers bashing the organizations conservative approach to styling. Although models like the A7 and A5 Sportback — we don't receive in the States — have been an attempt to create a bit of differentiation in the market, the reality is a lot of the cars are very closely aligned in terms of design.

The all-new vehicles are said to break that trend with a more aggressive appearance.

One thing has us somewhat concerned though: Audi's A4 and Q7 have been pushed back not once, but TWICE due to design. So, what could be so wrong? Are they not aggressive enough? Are they too aggressive?

This has us wondering...

IF the next-gen A4 and Q7 are simply evolutions of their existing designs, what will YOU make of it? Would both cars be considered failures?

As far as we're concerned, it seems like the A4 would be best suited as a four-door coupe and the Q7 receives a more intriguing roofline a la the BMW X6, X4 and Mercedes-Benz MLC. Something tells me we'll see those variants in form of different models soon after the A4 and Q7 are crystallized.

Benzes1 - 5/13/2014 12:11:05 AM

+6 Boost

Yep because Audi needs to update their look. IT is going stale.

cidflekken - 5/13/2014 12:27:01 AM

+4 Boost

At this point, I'm not really sure I care. Audi has become a company of bland and generic design themes, despite all the talk to the contrary. When I see the original A4, A5, TT, 5000 (yes, I've seen one), and the R8 on the road, it makes me kind of sad where Audi has landed. There's no emotion. There's no passion. Yes, they're handsome designs, but they've become the Toyota/Honda of the luxury segment. Cars like the A3 are going to make huge headway in suburbia where young mothers wear flats and comfy cottons. They'll park their A3's in the spot that's closest to door to where they're going. Cars like the CLA will be seen in upscale neighborhoods where young mothers try not to look like young mothers, wear clothes from Nordstrom with their wedges. They'll park farther away from other cars even if it means walking a little farther. I'm not saying either is good or bad, just different demographics and appeal for different reasons.

trmckin - 5/13/2014 3:35:38 AM

0 Boost

You must live on a coastline. Suburbia in middle America is full of suburban moms trying not to look like suburban moms. My wife being in that category. The flats and cottons go to Subaru drivers loving in the hip areas near downtown. Audi, Benz, BMW, and the like dominate suburban driveways in denver. Should be noted... All of us suburban husbands that don't give a rats arse complain about the nordstrom credit card bills but have no issue throwing down 60-70k for a premium sedan/kid hauler. Ah... The irony of America.

cidflekken - 5/13/2014 12:21:45 PM

+1 Boost

LOL. I've lived on both coasts and have seen much of the same. Yes, you're going to have those moms in both categories, but the larger majority are looking for practicality and usability.

HoustonMidtown - 5/13/2014 6:53:55 AM

+3 Boost

I don't see them changing design language that much - they have been killing sales for many months now -- no need to make drastic changes - just keep updating. The other manufacturers (BMW, Mercedes) are also doing the same sausage different lengths design themes with their latest models.

gkearns56 - 5/13/2014 7:03:04 AM

+1 Boost

Things are looking good for Audi; evolutionary changes are just fine. Ask BMW Bangel on how well that 7 series truck lid look went over with satisfied owners of the previous model.

MattDarringer - 5/13/2014 8:50:17 AM

+2 Boost

The new Audi grille just does what BMW started with the 3 series...

bigheadmazda - 5/13/2014 11:41:28 AM

+2 Boost

What the hell are talking about cidflekken? First off, suburban Moms don't drive entry level luxury cars. The key word is "Mothers". They have children. What the hell is an A3/CLA gonna do for them? They Drive SUVs. Thus the term "Soccer Moms". In my neck of the woods upscale Moms drive Mercedes ML's/GL's and Land Rover LR3's.

cidflekken - 5/13/2014 12:20:10 PM

+1 Boost

Understand the analogy. Don't take it so literally.

GermanNut - 5/13/2014 12:01:24 PM

0 Boost

This is an extremely silly article published simply to stir up controversy and goes against what Audi has officially stated about its forthcoming change in design.

http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/vwcorp/info_center/en/themes/2012/11/Audi_Design_Close_Up_A_close_look_at_the_new_design_strategy.html

Audi will not make the next A4 and Q7 evolutionary so discussing such is a waste of time.

NeoReaper - 5/13/2014 12:15:34 PM

+1 Boost

Whether or not they change their exterior design language is not very important to me. I still find the overall design quite attractive/classy. I currently drive a BMW F30 and I came from an Audi B8. I'm not too impressed with the F30 (design and drivetrain) and will most likely switch back to Audi when my lease is up.