Audi A4: More images and details
by John Neff on Aug 28th 2007 at 2:52PM 
UPDATE: Audi has officially unveiled the new A4, though no new pics have been released. We've pasted the official press release after the jump.
click image to view more shots of Audi's new A4
It appears the dam
Though the new A4 may look similar to the model it's replacing, some significant work has gone on underneath the sheetmetal to move the engine farther back, which both improves weight distribution and allowed the designer's to reduce the front overhang. Available engines will include a smattering of petrol and diesel options, the base motor being a 1.8TFSI and the top end mill a 265-hp 3.2L FSI V6. Transmission choices for now are limited to a six-speed manual, tiptronic auto and CVT, with the DSG expected to be made available later.
Meanwhile, the interior appears to be typical Audi, if you like that sort of thing. While no doubt impeccable to the touch, we're getting a bit tired of Audi's traditional interior design.
Click the Read link to visit Motor Authority for more details. We're going to wait until Audi releases the official details and images to go hog wild analyzing the new A4.
[Source: Audi]
Gallery: New Audi A4
PRESS RELEASE:
The sportiest midsize saloon
The new Audi A4
Audi opens up new horizons. The A4 is a sporty car with superb presence on
the road; it takes Audi forward into a new dimension on the midsize car
market. The engines that power the saloon, both TDI and spark-ignition, in
all cases with direct fuel injection, combine effortless power with high
efficiency. The dynamic running gear and the use of many technologies taken
direct from the large-car category are evidence of the brand's lead in
technical know-how. The new Audi is a new way to drive. It will reach
the market at the end of November 2007, at a basic list price of about
26,000 Euros in Germany.
In its design, the new A4 reveals its sporty, progressive character: taut and
dynamic in its outlines, it speaks the language of technical perfection. With an
overall length of 4.70 metres, the saloon has a substantial, powerful road stance
and offers its occupants ample space in an interior full of light. The workmanship
is typical of an Audi – quality with no compromises. The controls can be backed
by the extra refinement of innovative assistance and multimedia systems. In the
safety area, the brand with the four-ring emblem sets new standards: the
coordinated action of the airbags and front seat belt force limiters protects the
occupants even more effectively.
When compared with the previous model, the A4 has new, sporty proportions.
The front body overhang has been drastically shortened; the bonnet and
wheelbase are both longer than before. In the driveline, the differential has
changed places with the clutch (or torque converter), making it possible to move
the front axle forward by 154 millimetres. This innovative solution ensures ideal
axle-load distribution. The new A4 is the sportiest saloon in the midsize car
category: agile, light and precise to control. Its dynamic suspension is a totally
new design, with most of its components made from weight-saving aluminium.
The results are impressive: supremely dynamic road behaviour and effortlessly
precise handling.
New high-tech options make the A4 driving experience even more fascinating:
Audi drive select varies the engine, automatic transmission, steering and
suspension damping characteristics to suit the driver's preferences at any given
moment. Audi dynamic steering varies its ratio according to the car's speed and
keeps the new A4 stable close to the handling limits by slight, almost
instantaneous changes to the steering angle. The damping control system for the
hydraulic shock absorbers varies the damping characteristic individually, to
combine sporty driving enjoyment with maximum road safety.
The new Audi A4 is being introduced with a choice of five engines, their power
outputs ranging from 105 kW (143 bhp) to 195 kW (265 bhp). The four-cylinder
petrol engine, like the diesels, is turbocharged, and both types of engine have
direct fuel injection. All the engines, with their supremely refined flow of power,
make the A4 a pleasure to drive and, thanks to their high efficiency, consume
distinctly less fuel than the previous versions.
Various transmissions are available: a six-speed manual gearbox, the tiptronic
automatic transmission, the multitronic continuously variable transmission, and
either front-wheel drive or quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which has been
subjected to intensive development work that has made its performance even
more dynamic.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Tim 3:00PM (8/28/2007)
You love the bland, Buick inspired interior of the XF, and are tiring of Audi's tasteful, functional and well executed interiors...
Has your AARP card shown up in the mail yet?
Reply
john 3:30PM (8/28/2007)
Yeah, Audi did a great interior 15 years ago and the only new idea they've had seems to be creating a large box over the shifter to house the radio and hvac. At least Jaguar is creative.
Don 3:32PM (8/28/2007)
Yeah, but the Jag is starting to grow on me. First I hated it, then I didn't hate it so much, now I'm starting to dig it.
And the '09 Audi definitely has better looking front and rear ends.
But a 1.8L base engine? From 2.0L? That's not cool.
testa di cazzo 3:51PM (8/28/2007)
Don,
you clearly are uninformed. 1.8T engine is for the european market only, just as the diesel engines are also. the 2.0T as a base is only in America. Go to www.audi.fr or www.audi.de and take a look at the engine options on the A4, there might be 10 or more options, not counting the S4/RS4, in Europe, whereas in the states it's only 2.0T or 3.2.
Don't worry, i'm sure they'll satisfy your american appetite for gas-guzzling. anyways, what difference would it make to you if the engine is 1.8 or 2.0? As long as performance improves, who cares about nominal information like that? If it's to satisfy your ego, just have them remove the engine badging from your car, and be happy...
Johnnie 3:03PM (8/28/2007)
I second Tim's thoughts exactly....
Reply
DaJinius 3:05PM (8/28/2007)
Autoblog is in trouble if the "Damn" is bursting!
Reply
JayP 3:12PM (8/28/2007)
Wait for the euro to $ conversions...
Aetius 3:13PM (8/28/2007)
I'm a bit surprised how bland it looks compared to the Coupe version, which in my opinion is the sexiest car going on sale soon. Then again, I don't really see how they can make the sedan look as hot as the coupe. Sedans are boring to start with. At least it has better styling than the 3-Series. But the new C-Class Sport with the AMG package might be hotter.
Reply
Simon 4:43PM (8/28/2007)
Actually, I was thinking the back end is very reminiscent of the 3 series coupe.
DOA 3:17PM (8/28/2007)
what a horrible mess, inside and out!
Reply
Ligor 4:51PM (8/29/2007)
i second that
i was expecting somethign new,
this is way to close to today's car adn it's just too boring living with the same design for 12 years
fire those designers already
YouFaceTheTick 3:17PM (8/28/2007)
What is the weight of this bugger? Is it still a fat pig or did Audi also slim it down some?
Reply
charles 3:19PM (8/28/2007)
who makes a better interior than Audi? Very functional and ergonomic, luxurious without being too cushy (as a find japanese luxury and mercedes cars), sporty without being too spartan (as I feel BMWs are), and not at all cheesy, like some cars are with ridiculous fake wood, analog clocks, etc
If only I felt the rest of the Audi car was worth it for the interior.
Reply
esoterica 4:16PM (8/28/2007)
Volvo. Specifically the new S80.
2002 a4 5:21PM (8/28/2007)
crazy talk! the s80 interior is plain and traditional compared to this. i rented an s60 for a few weeks once and it was the most pedestrian feeling european car I've ever driven.
this is the same as the a6 interior and in that car i love how it feels like it wraps around the driver. it does seem a little busy but i can't wait to see and feel it in person.
Louis Duran 1:20AM (8/31/2007)
esoterica:
Seriously? The S80 interior is better than this? I assume you wear elastic stretch pants and white leisure shoes.
Bob 3:24PM (8/28/2007)
Sexy, love the new back end.
Question: do any of the Autoblog contributors actually have any formal education in writing? This site is filled with typo's and grammatical errors.
Reply
Logik 3:35PM (8/28/2007)
Yes, blog entries and comments alike.
testa di cazzo 3:47PM (8/28/2007)
yes but the people writing comments are getting paid while acting like journalists
William 3:58PM (8/28/2007)
Guys, give them a break. They're only human.
William