2016 Audi A4 Set For Frankfurt Motor Show Debut: Audi R&D Boss Promises Improved Driving Dynamics

The all-new Audi A4 is signed off and ready for its world debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and our exclusive main images show how it’s set to look – but it’s got its work cut out to make an impact in the compact executive class.

Traditionally, the A4 has trailed the 3 Series for driving involvement, favouring secure, predictable handling at the expense of fun. But Hackenberg says that won’t be the case this time around. “The steering is a lot better, there’s more feedback and there’s less friction so the wheel returns smoothly to the centre,” he told us. “The big step for this car will be its driveability.”

Based on a smaller version of the steel and aluminium MLB platform that debuts on the new Q7 (driven in Issue 1,359), the A4 is expected to shed some serious weight. The Q7 is up to 325kg lighter than its predecessor, and while the drop will be less pronounced on the A4, a 100kg-plus weight saving is likely.
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TheSteve - 4/13/2015 9:25:14 PM

+1 Boost

I must say, I'm disappointed with the "same old thing, but with sharper edges and squintier headlights" exterior styling.

Porsche has shown us that if you start with an iconic design (like the 911), you can keep it running for decades with the occasional minor styling tweak. But you have to start with an iconic design, and then, don't go trendy.

MBguy - 4/13/2015 9:30:47 PM

+2 Boost

I looked at all of the pics. But I'm not seeing an "all-new A4." Just where is this new car the article talks about??

Car4Life - 4/13/2015 11:26:37 PM

+2 Boost

Yup looks like Audi will continue to shoot themselves in the foot over dull safe designs, Benz just out sold them globally for the month of March, if the A4 is as disappointing as the Q7, I can see audi losing even more ground

GermanNut - 4/13/2015 9:45:14 PM

-2 Boost

These are renderings. The new Audi A4 has not been officially unveiled by Audi. Until Audi officially reveals the A4, all drawings are pure speculation.

TheSteve - 4/14/2015 12:27:26 AM

+1 Boost

I'm sighing a breath of relief! My (misplaced) hope is that the rest of the Audi line doesn't go in the direction of the newly restyled Q7 or TT.

cidflekken - 4/14/2015 1:48:15 AM

+2 Boost

Right, the actual car will not be as sleek looking as these renderings. Remember, we already saw a peak at its headlight which looks like the taillights of the Camry from 2 gens ago or the Subaru Outback. And the roofline is more formal and the taillights look dowdy. So, yes, unfortunately, this is only a rendering as the real car (and yes, you can tell plenty through camo) won't look at good.

valhallakey - 4/14/2015 2:02:51 AM

+1 Boost

Wonder if they moved the engine behind the front axle to help with handling and to lower the polar moment of inertia? That would be the best thing they could do for this car other than put some additional style into the design.

carloslassiter - 4/14/2015 7:08:20 AM

+2 Boost

Is that the new Pontiac?

TomM - 4/14/2015 7:27:44 AM

+2 Boost

No - it's not a Pontiac - It is the new LaSalle for Archie and Edith Bunker.

There MUST come a time when someone in Audi recognizes that their cars pretty all look far too exactly alike. Even when Mercedes uses the same themes - you can readily tell the S from the C. From a Distance - it is virtually impossible to tell an A3 from an A8. That MIGHT be good for the A3. Each level should have at least one thing that makes it different from the others.

leej - 4/14/2015 9:53:54 AM

+2 Boost

If every car had an 'iconic design' then we would look like Cuba with the same vehicles running around for decades...with perhaps the distinction of a license plate frame moving from a trunk lid, to a bumper, and then back to the trunk again.

I do understand change is hard for some people, but you will find our current world very hard to live in based on the rate of change that we are experiencing.

TheSteve - 4/14/2015 1:46:18 PM

0 Boost

leej writes "...If every car had an 'iconic design' then we would look like Cuba with the same vehicles running around for decades..."

Or it would be a sea of Porsche-like vehicles -- 911s, Camans, Mecans, Cayennes, Panameras -- all stunningly beautiful, high quality, and with manufacturers spending more R&D dollars on improving the vehicle in some real way rather than choosing to look different for the new model year.

It could go either way. Personally, I don't think the 1950s-era vehicles in Cuba are that iconic, but that's just me.