Chicago 2008: Audi A4 Special Edition
click above for more high-res shots of the Audi A4 Special Edition
One of the unexpected Chicago announcements this year is the 2008 Audi A4 Special Edition, an obvious model run-out push in advance of the new A4's arrival. The specialness comes from an extra equipment package that adds value via standard 17" Y-Spoke wheels and, on quattro-equipped models, standard heated leather seats. The Special Editions come with one year of free SIRIUS satellite radio and are powered by the sprightly 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder. Naturally, Audi will happily let you pad the bottom line on the A4 SE's sticker price by further enhancing it with any currently-available A4 options and/or packages (S-Line, etc.). Look for the A4 Special Edition in sedan and Avant bodystyles to arrive at your local Audi dealers by the middle of next month.
[Source: Audi]
Gallery: 2008 Audi A4 Special Edition
PRESS RELEASE:
06 February 2008
2008 AUDI A4 SPECIAL EDITION DEBUTS AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
AUBURN HILLS, MI., February 6, 2008 – Audi of America Inc. today announced the debut of the 2008 A4 Special Edition at the Chicago Auto Show. The new configuration was created for customers wanting a thoroughly modern German luxury sport sedan with more exterior appeal and attractive packaging. This adds to the popular S line exterior bumpers and grille introduced as standard features on the A4 for the 2008 model year, which include a sportier front bumper and grille design, lower side door flares, and integrated rear trunk lid spoiler.
Designed for A4 sedan and Avant models equipped with the 2.0 TFSI engine, exterior differentiation for the Special Edition includes a new standard 17-inch wheel that features a 9 Y-spoke design pattern. Standard interior features for quattro-equipped models include leather-trimmed heated front seats and metallic paint. As a result, models equipped with FrontTrak attain a $405 improved value in new standard equipment, while those with quattro permanent all-wheel drive attain a $1,155 value improvement.
All A4 Special Edition models include a one-year subscription to SIRIUS Satellite Radio, complete with commercial-free music plus sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. Similarly, customers can still choose the full S line and Titanium packages as optional sport upgrades, as well as a full range of individual options. Some of these sophistications include DVD-based Audi Navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free preparation, iPod adaptor, and wood beltline trim.
The A4 is also one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its luxury segment. The cutting-edge 2.0 TFSI direct injection engine made the prestigious Ward's 10 Best Engines list for the third consecutive year in 2008, which recognized Audi's expertise with efficient performance and advanced technology.
Safety has also been a top priority for the current model, and the A4 was the first passenger vehicle in its luxury segment to offer brake disc wiping as standard equipment in early 2005. This feature, combined with one of the most advanced and proactive stability control systems ESP 8.0., reduces the chances of inhibited braking performance during wet or inclement weather.
The A4 was one of three Audi models to receive the "Top Safety Pick" designation for 2008 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), for which it also won in 2007. Audi has the highest number of IIHS "Top Safety Pick" designations within its entire model line in comparison to luxury competitors BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus. This category recognizes excellence in top frontal, side, and rear crash performance and the availability of ESP (Electronic Stability Program).
"The Audi A4 has been a star performer for many years as an exciting sport luxury product offering in addition to its outstanding residual value," said Johan de Nysschen, Executive Vice President, Audi of America. "Much attention has been paid to constant enhancements to proactively meet and exceed the most particular customer wishes and tastes."
The A4 Special Edition is expected to be available at authorized U.S. Audi dealer partners by mid March 2008 in both sedan and Avant body styles. For more information about previewing the A4 special edition at the Chicago Auto Show, please visit chicagoautoshow.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John Johnson 1:27PM (2/06/2008)
...ahh. That's nice... Thanks.... I guess...
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Tim 1:28PM (2/06/2008)
seems pointless, until you realize that Audi has struck increasing sales with the A4 even as it has aged. that's impressive, especially considering the opposition.
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NarutoRamen 1:29PM (2/06/2008)
Why don't they just bring the new A4 over already? It sucks to keep looking at the pics of the new one and they keep shoving this old one down our throats in the US.
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andre lavoie 1:29PM (2/06/2008)
not all that interesting. rims look like they came from the after market. id never buy an a4 anyway
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Tsunami Racer 1:33PM (2/06/2008)
well, isn't that... special.
forget special edition: how about $5000 cash back or 0% for 72 months to get rid of all these left over body styles and make room for the new A4!!
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Perry 1:57PM (2/06/2008)
Actually I am getting an "almost new" with 10k klms, fully loaded 2007 quattro for 1.9% over 72 months for 10k less than a brand new one!
It was time to give back my 2004 front trak and I decided to make the plunge and get the quattro since up here in Montreal we do need all weather traction. Couldn't wait 2 years so I can get the "new 2009" A4.
Amazing car! Zero problems in 4 years!
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Ligor 1:58PM (2/06/2008)
i 2nd that
they make the car seem cheezy and maybe even a bit of a ricer
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John 2:10PM (2/06/2008)
Looks good. Rims can be changed. There are way better after market rims. The ones on the car don't suit it. Anyone with half a brain would know this car looks decent.
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Rick 2:45PM (2/06/2008)
I just picked up an 06 at .9% interest. Wow, what an upgrade over my 07 Civic that I traded in (yes, downgraded to upgrade). I can't even describe how nice the A4 is and how fun it is to drive.
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fujia 2:09PM (2/06/2008)
Further proof of how stupid the Europeans think we Americans are. It seems any model name with "Limited", "Special" or "Edition" is fair paly with US consumers. At least the Japanese are a little more respectful; you've got the G35 and the G35S with real difference while Audi thinks a 17" wheel coupled with heated seats and XM radio will make us feel special enough to fork out the $.
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Sherief 3:20PM (2/06/2008)
If the fantastic looking '09 A4 wasn't right around the corner, my '05 A4 Avant would be up for sale in favor of an '08 S-line model with the Titanium Package.
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Maestro1 3:32PM (2/06/2008)
Does anybody think the new A4 with that much stretched wheelbase is a bit too big? I mean it said that the Audi A6 is something like only 1.4 inches longer and I stood next to an A6 today and it is massive!
I thought the car would take on dimensions more akin to the new C-Class than the A6...
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zapperdude60 3:45PM (2/06/2008)
r.i.p. old a4/s4/rs4. you will be missed
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nagmashot 3:46PM (2/06/2008)
the new B8 A4 already sold in Germany since end 2007 is 4703mm long that are 185inch, to compare the A6 is 4916mm long that are ~194inch that are nearly 9inch different. The B7 A4 that is still sold in the USA is 180inch the new is "only" 5 inch longer as the old
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JMoss 9:16PM (2/06/2008)
Sheesh, would Audi please get its act together and give us the B8 (2009 A4)! What's the deal; they can sell to the Brits when they drive on the "wrong side" of the road, but they can't get anything new here until a YEAR after it's release in Europe?!
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simianspeedster 4:59PM (2/06/2008)
Tim,
Where are you getting your data? As far as I can tell, Audi's U.S. A4 sales decreased in 2007 compared to 2006.
YTD sales at the end of November, 2007 for the A4/S4/RS4 (not including cabriolets) were down 5.2% from 2006 to 2007. See http://www.media.audiusa.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=9974
December, 2007 sales were so terrible that Audi didn't release one of their usual positive press releases -- A4/S4/RS4 sales were down a staggering 43.2% from December, 2006 to December, 2007. See http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=7704527
January, 2008 A4/S4/RS4 sales are already down 8.6% http://www.media.audiusa.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=9991
I'm a big fan of Audis, but they, like VW, need to shorten their product cycles to remain competitive. The new B8 A4 better be a hit!
-SimianSpeedster
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simianspeedster 5:06PM (2/06/2008)
You're missing the point. This is most likely a pricing promotion/package to sell aging product (like Honda does fairly often with the Accord)-- it's not intended to replace Audi's S-line or Titanium offerings with huge amounts of substance.
The S-line and Titanium offerings are about content (sports suspension, seats, larger wheels, etc.) -- this is a value package.
-SimianSpeedster
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John 5:30PM (2/06/2008)
lol... Yet European Cars>American Cars
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MikeMidd 9:50PM (2/06/2008)
Not a surprise announcement here - folks on the Audi boards have been talking about the special edition for a couple months now, since pictures started floating around of the wheels. Which, fortunately, appear to look better on the car than they did standing alone - though they still aren't that attractive, and don't fill the wheels like the normal split-spoke 17 inchers on the A4 do.
The B8 will be a dramatic improvement, but the B7 still holds its own. I'd pick one up except for my (rather significant) fears about Audi quality. That'll drive me to the TSX (2008, before they ruin it with this rather weak redesign).
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