Though many have panned Audi's new corporate grille, the German automaker has stuck to its guns and disseminated the nose across its entire line up. Many folks, in fact, love the boldness of the single-frame grille that drops deep into every Audi's lower bumper.
Fourtitude has discovered a company called CarLine that produces conversion kits to add Audi's single-frame grille to the company's previous generation of cars. The CI-Look package is available for the B5 A4 and first-generation TT (gallery).
Other companies have hopped on the single-frame grille bandwagon, as well. Hofele Design produces a tasteful single-frame conversion kit for the first generation A8 sedan (gallery) and tuners Mattig (gallery) and PPI Automotive Design (gallery) also make their own kits for the first gen TT.
So don't fret if you're stuck with one of Audi's previous generation cars – you too can have the same gaping grille as the current models.
[Source: Fourtitude]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ryan @ Jun 30th 2006 6:03PM
"Single-frame grilles"
So that is what it is called! Looks like the car is ready to give head.
digi01 @ Jun 30th 2006 6:07PM
The TT conversion actually looks pretty decent while the A4 conversion looks like a sad, who shot Roger Rabbit toon car.
I, for one, am a fan of the massive grill and it isn't like it came from nowhere as is evidenced by the old Auto Union racers that inspired it. Subtle retro lineage clues are much more interesting than just rehashing old cars from a marque's glory days.
Jason @ Jun 30th 2006 6:24PM
Considering the love-hate of the grill, they should also provide a kit for the current gen to have the previous style look.
Jason Gill @ Jun 30th 2006 6:34PM
Technically, the B5 A4 is two generations old; the B6 A4 (with more sculpted round tail lights, bumpers, etc) came before the current B7 A4 with the "waterfall" grill.
That One Person @ Jun 30th 2006 6:37PM
The TT looks good. But I am also a fan of the new grille. It looks a little more mature (to me at least).
The one thing I cant stand, are those stupid ass aftermarket single wiper systems. They look good on Mercedes' vehicles (not sure what other company uses them..I know some race cars use them) but these boy racers and their Hondas with the single wiper look like crap...its just a pet peeve of mine.
aaron @ Jun 30th 2006 7:02PM
i believe the audi term for the single frame grill is the nuvolari nose.
verdegrrl @ Jun 30th 2006 7:17PM
That CarLine A4 is heinous! Looks like rear wheels are wider than the fronts, which anybody who knows Audis, knows it makes them understeer even more than stock. So it's all show and no go. And why make the rear wheels stick out past the bodywork like some south-of-the-border special without the budget for some fender flares? On stretched tires no less!? A quick scan of their website shows mostly lower bumper kits with huge gaping areas of chicken mesh and another B5 A4 with flares, a massive towel rack wing, and reversed gills behind the rear wheels - so as to duct air into the rear bumper instead of exhaust it from the wheel wells and ducts? To each their own I guess.
The PPI TT looks very sharp, tying in elements of the R8.
Buck Futter @ Jun 30th 2006 8:25PM
Wooooow.
The new generation of "ricer" add-ons is just as ugly as the previous one.
IsmuRidwan @ Jul 1st 2006 3:20AM
hmm... it's look odd for an audi....
specially the lamps
Mike G @ Jul 1st 2006 6:31AM
That "single frame" waterfall grill looks crap-tastic. I know all design is subjective, but some designs are still better than others. You want a sweet front grill - check out the new Alfa Romeos, Brera and Spider in particular. A grill is supposed to be relatively restrained yet evocative of forward motion - the Audi does not accomplish this.
Autonews @ Jul 1st 2006 8:24AM
Looks nice, but not spectacular.
Anyway I like the wheels.
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/
yedkar @ Jul 1st 2006 8:30AM
Ahh. that peculiar niche market known as Aftermarket Products For Degrading Your Cars Aesthetic Appeal.
Check it out. I heard the Bangle Butt conversion kitz selling like hot cakes. Now you can put the beloved last gen 750i trunk on your GTI. Everyones doing it. Get with the fashion folks.
buck pentecost @ Jul 1st 2006 11:56AM
Every new Audi reminds me of a once pretty woman--with her nose cut off. Is the company trying to spite its fates?
am @ Jul 1st 2006 12:31PM
I fall squarely into the nuvolari-nose-is-crap camp, and its supassing hideousness is the main reason I will keep driving my B5 A4 long after I would have replaced it. Between this and the Bangle-mangling over at BMW, it seems like all the German manufacturers have lost their freakin' minds.
gbh @ Jul 1st 2006 8:24PM
Vere are zee guys from VW, to un-peemp zis ride?
Todd @ Jul 6th 2006 1:07PM
Actually, I like the bold grill. Unfortunately I have been accused of having no taste. Regardless, I still like it.